Rep. Peggy McGaugh

Maddy summaryHJR 67 proposes a constitutional amendment to modify term limits for Missouri's General Assembly members. It would limit legislators to a total of sixteen years across both the House and Senate (down from the current eight-year limit per house), with specific rules for counting prior service. The amendment also restricts the Speaker of the House to three terms and the Senate President Pro Tempore to two terms. If approved by voters, these changes would take effect starting December 5, 2030, requiring a statewide vote for adoption.

Maddy summaryHB 374 requires Missouri political subdivisions (like cities and counties) to attest if their annual budget exceeds $1 million and submit annual lists of officials who must file financial disclosures. It clarifies and expands reporting requirements for public officials, mandating detailed disclosures of income over $1,000, real estate valued over $10,000, investments over $10,000, gifts over $200, and other financial interests. The bill specifies that officials must report spouse and dependent financial information under certain conditions and exempts unpaid board members from reporting publicly traded stock. These changes aim to strengthen transparency for officials required to file under Missouri’s ethics laws.

Maddy summaryHB 353 shortens the required publication history for newspapers to qualify as legal publications for real estate notices and court orders from three years to one year. It also allows successor newspapers (taking over defunct papers) to inherit legal publication rights if they begin within 90 days and meet subscriber requirements. This directly affects local newspapers seeking to publish legal notices, courts requiring such publications, and property owners involved in real estate transactions. The bill updates eligibility rules but maintains the requirement for newspapers to have a list of paying subscribers.

Maddy summaryHB 388 allows property taxpayers to pay real and personal property taxes in installments (annual, semiannual, or quarterly) instead of one lump sum. It requires counties to estimate taxes based on the previous year’s liability, with taxpayers adjusting payments at year-end for overpayments or underpayments (county refunds excess amounts once yearly, no interest). The bill applies directly to property owners and county tax collectors, setting clear rules for installment schedules and year-end settlements. It does not change tax rates but modifies payment timing and refund procedures for both taxpayers and counties.

Maddy summaryHB 352 requires counties in Missouri (classified as first, second, third, or fourth) to publish annual financial statements in local newspapers, directly affecting county governments and their officials. The bill mandates that these statements include specific details like fund receipts, disbursements, cash balances, tax levies, bonded debt, and the salaries of all elected county officials. County commissioners and clerks must certify the accuracy of these reports, with penalties for false certification including fines up to $1,000, jail time, or felony charges for willful false reporting. Additionally, counties must preserve records electronically for public inspection for five years and provide free digital copies to newspapers upon request.

Maddy summaryHB 479 creates a new "class three election offense" category for specific election-related violations, making them misdemeanors punishable by up to one year in jail or a $2,500 fine. It directly affects voters, election officials, and others who engage in prohibited acts like bribing voters, intimidating voters, tampering with voting materials, or disclosing voting information. Key provisions include banning the exchange of money or rewards for voting behavior, restricting access to voting booths, and prohibiting harassment of election workers. Violations causing death or injury would escalate to a class B felony.

Maddy summaryHB 2161 establishes a specific rule for the St. Louis City School Board to fill any vacancy on the board by appointment rather than through a special election. The bill states that if a seat becomes empty, the remaining board members must appoint a replacement to serve until the next regular election. This change applies directly to the school board and ensures that the board can continue to operate without interruption even when a member is missing. The legislation also outlines the qualifications for board directors and the process for redistricting the school area into five subdistricts.