Rep. Ron Fowler

Maddy summaryHJR 6 proposes a constitutional amendment to expand property tax exemptions in Missouri, primarily affecting disabled veterans and their surviving spouses. The amendment would exempt the primary home (homestead) of disabled veterans - defined as those certified by the VA for 100% service-connected disability - and their surviving spouses (if they continue living in the home) from property taxes. It also maintains existing exemptions for business inventories (e.g., manufacturers' raw materials and retailers' stock) and properties used by religious, charitable, or educational organizations. The amendment requires voter approval in Missouri’s 2026 general election.

Maddy summaryHB 937 requires Missouri public schools and postsecondary institutions to treat antisemitic harassment and discrimination identically to racial discrimination under existing laws. It mandates schools to adopt the International Holocaust Remembrance Alliance’s definition of antisemitism into their codes of conduct, prohibit antisemitic behavior that creates fear or impedes access, and report incidents to a state Title VI coordinator. The bill also encourages integrating Jewish American heritage into curricula while clarifying that criticism of Israel is not antisemitic and protecting First Amendment rights. Schools must investigate complaints within 30 days and face potential federal reporting if unresolved, with annual reports submitted to the legislature.

Maddy summaryHB 660 modifies Missouri's rules for local tax proposals by prohibiting political subdivisions (like cities or counties) from resubmitting a rejected tax proposal to voters for two years after rejection. It allows exceptions if the new proposal changes the tax amount or applies to areas affected by a declared natural disaster. The bill also updates petition requirements for creating special taxing districts, requiring 50% of property value and 50% of property owners to sign, plus detailed service and funding plans. This directly affects local governments seeking to raise taxes through voter approval. The changes take effect August 28, 2025.

Maddy summaryHB 1464 replaces over 30 existing Missouri statutes with 38 new sections focused on protecting children and vulnerable persons. The bill establishes a Missouri regional computer forensics lab to combat internet-based crimes, particularly those involving child sexual abuse material, online exploitation, and related offenses. It creates new legal frameworks for law enforcement to investigate and prosecute technology-facilitated crimes against vulnerable populations. The law directly affects law enforcement agencies, courts, and individuals involved in cases related to digital crimes against children.

Maddy summaryHB 798 revises Missouri's state income tax rates for residents. It temporarily caps the top tax rate at 4.95% for tax years 2023 through 2025 (lower than the previous top rate), and sets a permanent top rate of 4.7% for tax years beginning in 2026 or later. The bill also allows for annual 0.15 percentage point reductions in the top rate starting in 2024, contingent on state revenue exceeding a specified threshold. These changes directly affect Missouri residents who pay state income tax on their taxable income.

Maddy summaryHB 425 phases out Missouri's corporate income tax through a gradual rate reduction, eliminating the tax entirely by tax years beginning January 1, 2029. It reduces the tax rate step-by-step: from 4% (2020-2025) to 3% (2026), 2% (2027), 1% (2028), and zero starting 2029. The bill directly affects corporations operating in Missouri, excluding out-of-state businesses under specific sections. This policy change represents a concrete shift in state revenue structure, with no tax applied to corporate profits after 2028.