Rep. David Smith

Maddy summaryHJR 115 proposes a constitutional amendment to create a property tax exemption for Missouri disabled veterans and their surviving spouses. It defines a "disabled veteran" as a Missouri resident honorably separated from military service with a 100% VA-certified service-connected disability, and a "homestead" as their primary residence (not exceeding 2.5 acres). The exemption would apply to real property used as a primary home, excluding portions rented for more than six months annually. This amendment requires voter approval in the 2026 general election and would replace the current property tax exemption provisions in Missouri's constitution.

Maddy summaryHB 2574 allows individuals who successfully complete Missouri’s substance abuse treatment program for nonviolent offenders to petition a court for limited driving privileges. This applies specifically to graduates of the state’s intensive treatment program for chronic nonviolent offenders with serious substance abuse addictions who have not been convicted of dangerous felonies. The bill creates a direct pathway for these individuals to request restricted driving rights after program completion, connecting treatment outcomes to driving eligibility. It does not change existing driving laws but adds this new eligibility step for program graduates.

Maddy summaryHB 2570 requires health insurers and health benefit plans (including MO HealthNet and Medicaid managed care) to pay for anesthesia services based on defined "anesthesia time" units without imposing time limits or restricting how that time is calculated. The bill prohibits insurers from setting arbitrary time caps on anesthesia payment or excluding all anesthesia time when determining reimbursement. It specifically affects anesthesia providers (like anesthesiologists and nurse anesthetists) by mandating payment based on standardized time units and prevailing medical billing standards. The law passed as an emergency measure to ensure timely payment for these medically necessary services.

Maddy summaryHB 304 regulates the sale and handling of catalytic converters and related vehicle parts. It requires businesses like scrap metal dealers, salvage yards, and auto repair shops to obtain specific licenses and maintain detailed records of all transactions involving catalytic converters, including buyer identification, vehicle details, and transaction data. The bill mandates that sellers of catalytic converters must verify the buyer’s legitimacy (e.g., proof of auto repair business) and prohibits altering converters for five business days after purchase. Violations, such as knowingly buying stolen converters, can result in fines up to $10,000 or license revocation, and requires "FOR EXPORT ONLY" stamps on titles for international sales.

Maddy summaryHB 1586 requires Missouri state highway patrol officers to include a specific "alcohol use" field on all crash reports. This field must have three checkboxes for officers to mark: "Yes" (alcohol suspected), "No" (not suspected), or "Unknown." The bill directly affects investigating officers who complete crash reports and ensures standardized data collection on suspected alcohol involvement in traffic incidents. This change aims to improve consistency in tracking potential alcohol-related crashes across Missouri.

Maddy summaryHB 297 requires school district voters in Boone County to approve any new charter school through a public vote before it can be established. Specifically, for counties with 150,000-200,000 residents like Boone County, a proposal must be submitted to voters in the next available election before July 1st, using a specific ballot question asking if the district should authorize a charter school. A majority vote in favor is needed for authorization; if rejected, the proposal cannot proceed without resubmission. This directly affects Boone County residents and school districts by adding community consent as a mandatory step for charter school expansion.

Maddy summaryHB 300 removes the requirement for Missouri voters to present photo identification at polling places or when requesting absentee ballots. The bill amends election code sections (115.277 and 115.427) to eliminate the previous rule that mandated photo ID for voting eligibility. This change directly affects all registered Missouri voters who would otherwise need to show a driver's license, state ID, or other photo-bearing documents to cast a ballot. The bill simplifies voting access by allowing voters to cast ballots without photo ID, streamlining the verification process for all eligible voters.

Maddy summaryHB 299 prohibits anyone under twenty years old from purchasing, leasing, or trading semi-automatic or fully automatic firearms in commercial transactions. The bill specifically targets the sale of these firearms to minors (ages 19 and younger), defining a "semi-automatic firearm" as one that automatically loads each round but requires manual trigger pulls for each shot. It includes exceptions for transfers to peace officers or military personnel on official duty. This law directly affects young adults aged 19 and under who wish to legally acquire these firearm types through commercial channels.

Maddy summaryHB 1587 exempts most retail food sales from Missouri's state sales tax at a 1% rate until December 31, 2025, after which the exemption becomes permanent unless renewed. The bill specifies that "food" includes items redeemable with SNAP benefits (like groceries) but excludes restaurants and similar establishments where over 80% of sales are prepared food for immediate consumption. Revenue from the 1% rate during the transition period must fund school districts, and the exemption automatically expires three years after enactment unless the legislature reauthorizes it. If reauthorized, the exemption would then sunset 12 years after reauthorization.

Maddy summaryHB 298 repeals the specific provision that allowed charter schools to operate in Boone County, Missouri. This bill removes Boone County from the list of eligible areas where charter schools could be established under existing law. The change directly affects Boone County school districts and families seeking charter school options there, as it eliminates the legal basis for new charter schools in that county. The bill does not alter charter school rules for other Missouri districts but specifically targets the authorization for Boone County.