Rep. Willard Haley

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 1627 creates a new "Career and Technical Education Advisory Council" within Missouri's Department of Elementary and Secondary Education. The council, composed of 16 appointed members (including business representatives, educators, student organization advisors, community college reps, and legislative appointees), will develop a statewide strategic plan for career and technical education programs. It must identify service gaps, recommend legislative improvements, oversee student organization funds, and provide annual reports to education officials. The bill also requires the council to post meeting materials and decisions online 48 hours after meetings, ensuring public transparency in its work. This bill directly affects Missouri's career and technical education programs, students, educators, and businesses involved in workforce development.

Maddy summaryHJR 119 proposes a constitutional amendment to change how judges are selected in Missouri. It would require the governor to appoint judges from three nominees provided by a nonpartisan judicial commission for vacancies in the supreme court, court of appeals, and St. Louis city/Jackson County circuit courts. For other judicial circuits, voters would decide at elections whether to adopt this appointment method (instead of the current system) or maintain the existing process, with changes allowed only once every four years. The amendment must be approved by voters in 2026.

Maddy summaryHB 2095 changes how retirement benefits are calculated for public school and education employees in Missouri's Public School Retirement System and Public Education Employee Retirement System. It sets new percentage rates based on years of service, such as 2.5% per year for 5+ years of service but 2.05% per year for those with 25-26 years of service. The bill also offers an alternative payment option for members with 25+ years of service or those aged 55+ with 5+ years of service, allowing reduced monthly payments with a survivor benefit. These changes directly affect current and future retirees in these systems.

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 summaryHB 2776 creates a new pathway for teachers holding temporary teaching certificates in Missouri to earn full certification. It requires completing an approved 18-hour online training program (developed by the state or eligible charitable organizations) and either passing a teaching exam or meeting specific evaluation criteria through school district assessments. This change directly affects current temporary certificate holders seeking to teach in Missouri public schools, streamlining their transition to full certification without requiring additional degree programs. The bill also updates existing certification rules but focuses on simplifying the process for temporary certificate holders to qualify for permanent teaching roles.

Maddy summaryHB 1628 modifies Missouri's higher education and workforce development laws by creating a "Ready to Work" endorsement program for high school seniors, allowing schools to certify students meeting specific academic and work-readiness standards by June 2007. It reorganizes the workforce development governance structure, renaming the "Missouri Workforce Investment Board" to the "Workforce Development Board" and aligning its operations with federal WIOA requirements. The bill also requires the Department of Higher Education and Workforce Development to coordinate state and federal job training resources, including ensuring economically disadvantaged individuals have access to new job opportunities created through state business assistance programs. These changes directly affect high school students, local workforce boards, and state agencies managing job training and employment services.

Maddy summaryThis bill establishes the "AI Non-Sentience and Responsibility Act" to clarify that artificial intelligence systems are not legal persons and cannot hold rights, responsibilities, or legal status equivalent to humans. It explicitly prohibits AI from being recognized as a spouse, corporate officer, or property owner, while assigning liability for harm caused by AI systems to their owners, users, developers, or manufacturers depending on the circumstances. The legislation requires owners to maintain oversight and safety measures for AI systems that could impact human welfare or public safety, and mandates reporting of severe incidents involving bodily harm or death. These provisions apply to all AI systems developed, owned, or operated on or after August 28, 2026.

Maddy summaryHB 1626 allows Missouri electrical utilities to include the costs of constructing new clean baseload power plants (like nuclear facilities) in their rate base during construction, enabling them to recover these costs through customer rates before the plant is fully operational. The Public Service Commission must approve the amount included, limiting it to the project’s estimated cost and actual spending during construction. If the project is delayed or costs were incurred imprudently, utilities must refund overcharges with interest. This provision applies only to new plants not operational by August 28, 2026, and expires on December 31, 2036, unless extended.