Rep. Brian Seitz

Maddy summaryHB 1791 establishes specific deadlines for local governments to process building permit applications based on permit type and project size. For example, residential permits under 7,500 sq. ft. (Level 1) must be approved within 30 business days, while larger projects (Level 2-4) have 60-day deadlines. If local governments miss these deadlines, they must reduce the permit fee by 10% per business day, with exceptions for applicant-caused delays or written extensions. The bill also requires local governments to notify applicants within 5 days if more information is needed, or the application is automatically accepted. This directly affects homeowners, contractors, and local governments handling construction permits.

Maddy summaryHB 2180 imposes daily late filing fees for unfiled campaign finance reports and financial interest statements. Candidates, committee treasurers, and individuals required to file financial statements face $10/day initially (increasing to $100/day after 30 days of non-compliance), with caps of $3,000 for campaign reports and $6,000 for financial statements. The executive director must send written notices via certified mail to delinquent filers, allowing a 10-day appeal window for "good cause" to waive fees. All collected fees are deposited into the state general revenue fund, in addition to any existing penalties.

Maddy summaryHB 1644 clarifies employer responsibility in franchise relationships by stating that a franchisor (the company granting the franchise) is not considered an employer of a franchisee's (the individual running the franchise location) employees, unless the franchisor directly controls hiring, firing, discipline, or daily work direction. This bill specifically prevents franchisors from being held responsible for employment matters like wages or working conditions for franchisee employees, unless they exercise direct control over those specific actions. The law applies to all franchise operations covered under the U.S. Department of Labor's franchising rules (16 CFR 436.1) and directly affects franchisees, their employees, and franchisors by defining clear boundaries for employer liability. It creates a straightforward rule to avoid confusion over who is legally responsible for employee treatment in the franchise model.

Maddy summaryHB 2408 replaces Missouri's existing grant program for deaf-blind individuals with a new system directing funds to three specific types of organizations. It provides grants to: (1) groups offering services for deaf-blind children and families (including family support advocates and parent education), (2) organizations helping deaf-blind adults achieve independence, and (3) entities training certified support service providers. All grants must be awarded via a competitive request-for-proposal process, with an annual funding cap of $300,000. The bill directly affects deaf-blind Missourians and the service organizations supporting them.

Maddy summaryHB 1730 primarily defines "firearm silencer" (or "firearm suppressor") as any device designed to muffle firearm noise, updating legal terminology under existing statutes. This bill does not change current regulations on suppressor possession or use but clarifies the definition for enforcement and legal consistency. It directly affects law enforcement, courts, and anyone interacting with firearm laws in the state. The bill is currently in early legislative stages (prefiled, read first time) and focuses solely on definitional precision, not policy changes.

Maddy summaryHB 1812 requires the Missouri Department of Health and Senior Services to send monthly reports of death certificates to the Secretary of State. The Secretary of State then notifies local election authorities, who must remove those names from voter rolls. This bill directly affects deceased voters by automatically updating voter registration records. The key mechanism is a monthly data-sharing process between state health and election offices to maintain accurate voter rolls. The bill does not change voting eligibility or create new policies, but establishes a routine procedure for removing deceased individuals from voter lists.

Maddy summaryHB 2682 renames Missouri's "Student Religious Liberties Act" to the "SPEAKS Act" and requires public schools to protect students' expression of religious, political, or ideological views. It prohibits schools from discriminating against such expression in assignments, clubs, prayer activities, or clothing - requiring grading based solely on academic standards and equal access for student groups. Schools must also provide disclaimers clarifying that student speech does not represent district endorsement. The bill explicitly preserves schools' authority to maintain order and ban unprotected speech like threats or harassment.

Maddy summaryHCR 29 is a Missouri legislative resolution urging the U.S. Congress to reinstate mandatory country-of-origin labeling for meat products. It specifically calls for requiring labels to show whether beef or pork was born, raised, and slaughtered in the U.S., reversing a 2015 repeal of a similar 2008 law. The resolution states this labeling would help consumers identify truly American-made meat and support U.S. farmers and ranchers by distinguishing domestic products from imported ones processed in the U.S. It does not create new law but formally expresses Missouri's support for this policy change.

Maddy summaryHB 2167 replaces Missouri's existing staffing rules for the Attorney General's office with new provisions. It grants the Attorney General sole authority to appoint assistant attorneys general, clerical staff, and investigators at their discretion, without requiring legislative approval for each position. The bill specifies that all staff serve "at the pleasure of the Attorney General" (meaning they can be removed by the AG), must meet similar qualifications as the AG, and will be paid from state or federal funds within budget limits. This change streamlines internal staffing decisions but does not alter the office's legal responsibilities or directly impact the public.

Maddy summaryHB 1625 modifies drug trafficking penalties by adjusting quantity thresholds for first- and second-degree offenses. It lowers the fentanyl threshold for enhanced penalties from 20mg to 14mg and adds stricter punishments for trafficking near schools, housing, or hotels (e.g., within 2,000 feet of schools or public housing). This bill directly affects individuals trafficking drugs above these new limits, with harsher penalties for larger quantities or offenses in sensitive locations. The changes update existing drug laws to align with current public safety concerns regarding dangerous substances like fentanyl and methamphetamines.