Rep. Chad Perkins

Maddy summaryHB 916 allows individuals convicted of drug-related felonies to qualify for SNAP (food stamp) benefits if they meet specific criteria. It exempts them from a federal restriction that bars such individuals from SNAP, provided they are actively in approved substance abuse treatment, comply with court requirements, avoid new drug offenses within a year, and pass sobriety tests. The bill directly affects people with past drug felony convictions who are engaged in treatment programs, ensuring they can access food assistance while meeting strict participation conditions. It requires the Department of Social Services to verify eligibility through documented evidence and develop rules for treatment program standards. The bill does not change federal law but implements a state-level exemption option under federal SNAP rules.

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 1175, titled "Reestablishes the Second Amendment Preservation Act," prohibits Missouri state officials from enforcing federal laws, regulations, or executive orders related to firearms within Missouri. It declares that federal actions restricting firearm ownership, possession, or use in Missouri are "unauthoritative, void, and of no force," and grants Missouri exclusive authority over such matters under state law. Key provisions include imposing a $50,000 civil penalty per violation on state officials who knowingly enforce federal gun laws, allowing citizens to sue for damages, and removing sovereign immunity as a defense in such cases. The bill directly affects Missouri law enforcement officers and state agencies operating within Missouri’s borders, ensuring they cannot comply with federal firearm regulations. It does not alter Missouri’s own firearm laws but asserts state authority against federal overreach in this domain.

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 433's title about "storage and use of gold and silver" is inaccurate - the bill is actually a Missouri income tax modification. It adjusts how Missouri calculates taxable income by adding back certain items excluded from federal taxable income, such as: 1) Federal tax refunds that created Missouri tax benefits (excluding pandemic-related refunds), 2) Interest on some government bonds, 3) Specific deductions for property purchases (2002-2003), and 4) Net operating loss carryforwards. It also subtracts certain items added back (like state tax refunds or military combat zone income) to prevent double taxation. The bill directly affects all Missouri individual income taxpayers by changing their taxable income calculation relative to federal rules.

Maddy summaryHB 593 clarifies that products containing intoxicating cannabinoids (like THC) are legally classified as marijuana, not hemp, and must follow all existing marijuana regulations in Missouri. This directly affects businesses selling such products, requiring them to operate under the same licensing, testing, and sales rules as medical or recreational marijuana. The bill defines "intoxicating cannabinoid" as any compound causing intoxication (including THC and its precursors), excluding non-intoxicating CBD. It also prohibits unlicensed businesses from using "dispensary" in their names and mandates enforcement collaboration between health and public safety agencies.

Maddy summaryHB 728 modifies how incarcerated individuals can earn sentence reduction ("good time credit") by requiring the Department of Corrections to create a policy rewarding participation in rehabilitation programs. Eligible offenders may earn up to 360 days of credit (max 90 days yearly) for completing programs like high school diplomas, vocational training, drug treatment, or restorative justice work. Credit is lost for major misconduct, parole violations, or exceeding six minor infractions annually. The policy applies retroactively to offenses after 2009 and excludes death penalty or life without parole sentences.

Maddy summaryHB 591 requires Missouri law enforcement agencies to submit standardized crime data to a statewide system, including quarterly clearance rates for violent crimes starting January 2026. It mandates detailed reporting on nonfatal shootings, disaggregated by victim demographics and how cases were solved (by arrest or "exceptional means"). The bill creates a grant program to fund agencies improving violent crime clearance rates through hiring, technology, and community partnerships like hospital-based violence intervention programs. These changes directly affect all Missouri law enforcement agencies and standardize crime reporting to align with federal requirements.

Maddy summaryHB 875 prohibits public colleges and universities from denying student groups equal access to benefits like registration, meeting space, or communication channels based on their religious, political, or ideological nature. It directly affects student associations (including religious, political, or ideological groups) and public institutions of higher learning governed by state boards. The bill defines "adverse action" as denying such benefits due to a group's viewpoint, mission, or leadership requirements tied to sincerely held beliefs. Groups harmed by such discrimination can seek legal relief through courts or administrative proceedings. This policy change ensures public institutions treat all student associations equally regardless of their core beliefs or expression.

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.