Rep. Ron Fowler

Maddy summaryHB 2559 requires state agencies to obtain legislative approval before implementing new administrative rules that would cost over $250,000 annually for government, businesses, or individuals. Agencies must notify the Joint Committee on Administrative Rules and the full legislature, which must pass a concurrent resolution approving the rule before it takes effect. Rules not approved this way become invalid, with exceptions for federal compliance or funding requirements. This directly affects state agencies creating significant-cost rules and shifts authority to the legislature for final approval.

Maddy summaryHB 2176, titled the "Anti-Red Flag Gun Seizure Act," prohibits Missouri state agencies, law enforcement, and political subdivisions from enforcing any "red flag law" (including federal or state orders requiring temporary firearm seizure or confiscation). It bans the use of state or federal funds to enforce such laws and imposes a $50,000 civil penalty for violations. The bill specifically exempts firearm seizures as evidence during criminal investigations. It directly affects Missouri citizens' firearm rights and law enforcement practices by blocking enforcement of red flag laws across state and local agencies.

Maddy summaryHJR 23 proposes a constitutional amendment requiring Jackson County to elect its property tax assessor rather than appointing one. Currently, Jackson County (with a population over 600,000 but under 700,000) is exempt from this requirement under Missouri's constitution. The amendment would repeal existing constitutional sections and replace them with new language mandating that all county assessors be elected officers, except for counties in Jackson County's population range. If approved by voters in 2026, this change would directly affect Jackson County's governance structure for property tax assessment. The amendment does not apply to St. Louis City or other counties outside this population threshold.

Maddy summaryHB 594 replaces Missouri's tax calculation rules for individual income tax by adding specific items back to federal adjusted gross income. It directly affects Missouri residents filing state income tax returns by increasing taxable income for certain deductions, such as federal tax refunds related to pandemic credits (excluding specific pandemic relief), interest on certain government bonds, and business deductions like accelerated depreciation. The bill also modifies how net operating loss carryforwards and out-of-state property taxes are treated in state tax calculations. These changes adjust Missouri's taxable income upward for affected taxpayers without altering the state's tax rates.

Maddy summaryHB 262 creates a state fund to reimburse health care facilities for providing hyperbaric oxygen therapy to Missouri veterans diagnosed with posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD) or traumatic brain injury (TBI). To qualify, veterans must have a diagnosis from a licensed health care provider, have previously sought treatment through Veterans Health Administration or private insurance, and reside in Missouri. Facilities must use FDA-approved equipment, follow treatment protocols based on clinical trials, and not charge veterans for the therapy. The Missouri Veterans Commission will manage the fund and require facilities to submit annual reports on therapy outcomes to assess effectiveness.

Maddy summaryHB 810 designates a specific 2.5-mile segment of U.S. Highway 60 in Newton County (from Kodiak Road east to Cemetery Road) as the "Lloyd Memorial Highway." The bill requires the Missouri Department of Transportation to install and maintain signage for this highway, with all costs covered by private donations. This is a purely commemorative measure with no policy changes or direct impact on laws, regulations, or public services. It does not affect residents, businesses, or government operations beyond naming a highway segment.

Maddy summaryHB 1346 revises Missouri's laws governing port authorities by replacing 12 existing sections with 13 new sections. It requires the state highways and transportation commission to approve new port authorities based on specific criteria, including population size (minimum 300,000 for bordering Kansas), avoiding geographic overlap with existing authorities, and assessing economic feasibility and potential regional impact. This bill directly affects cities and counties near navigable waterways seeking to establish or expand port authorities as political subdivisions. The key change streamlines approval processes while adding explicit requirements for population, economic analysis, and boundary coordination.

Maddy summaryHB 607 modifies Missouri's education laws to change how student attendance and academic performance are measured. It requires schools to count suspended or expelled students as "in attendance" for accountability metrics like school improvement plans and weighted daily attendance calculations. The bill mandates a new performance-based statewide assessment system focused on problem-solving and skills - not rote memorization - and creates "Outstanding Schools Waivers" for schools meeting specific performance criteria for three years, allowing flexibility in testing and operations. It also establishes alternate assessments for students with special needs and military dependents, while excluding English learner test scores until they've been in English-medium schools for three years.

Maddy summaryHB 618 limits health insurers' ability to require prior authorization for medical services starting January 1, 2026. Insurers must approve at least 90% of a provider's past requests for a service before requiring prior authorization, or the provider qualifies for an exemption. Hospitals may qualify for exemptions by entering value-based care agreements with insurers, achieving a 3+ star CMS rating, or having a high prior-authorization approval rate. The bill excludes pharmacy, imaging, cosmetic, and experimental services from exemptions (with annual $100,000 cost limits adjusted for inflation) and requires insurers to provide a 90-day medication coverage grace period if a patient's insurance changes.

Maddy summaryHB 999 gives Missouri counties 90 days to correct property valuation errors ordered by the state tax commission under state law. If counties miss this deadline, the commission can direct the state revenue department to withhold local sales tax funds equal to 110% of the improperly assessed value. Counties can regain withheld funds by fixing the error and providing verification, but receive no interest on the withheld amount. Counties also have 30 days to seek court review if they dispute the commission’s withholding determination.