Rep. Marty Murray

Maddy summaryHB 610 creates tax credits for property owners renovating eligible office buildings into residential or mixed-use spaces in Missouri downtowns and main streets. It provides a 25% credit on renovation costs for standard conversions and a 30% credit for upper-floor residential units in designated main street districts, with a $50 million annual cap on total credits. To qualify, buildings must be at least 25 years old, converted to over 50% residential use, and meet specific cost thresholds (e.g., $15,000 minimum for main street projects). The bill reserves 25% of annual credits exclusively for main street district projects, with unused funds available for other locations, and allows credits to be carried forward or transferred.

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 707 creates a new offense called "financial institution accounts fraud" under Missouri law. It makes it illegal to access, use, or establish a financial institution account (including bank, brokerage, or mutual fund accounts) using false pretenses, schemes, or coercion to withdraw, transfer, or pay money with the intent to deprive the institution or customer of funds. Penalties range from a class B misdemeanor for fraud under $500 to class B felonies for $500+ when done purposefully. The bill directly affects individuals committing such account fraud, establishing specific criminal classifications based on the amount defrauded and the perpetrator's mental state (e.g., purposeful, reckless, or negligent).

Maddy summaryHB 404 modifies retirement contribution rates for public school employees in the City of St. Louis. For employees hired before January 1, 2018, the employee deduction rate increases gradually from 5% to 9% over time. New hires on or after January 1, 2018, will have a fixed 9% deduction from pay. Employers will reduce their contribution rate from 16% to 12.5% of total member compensation by 2025, as part of the retirement system’s funding adjustments. These changes directly affect current and future public school employees and their employers in St. Louis.

Maddy summaryHB 790 modifies Missouri's voter qualification rules by allowing residents aged 17 years and six months or older to register to vote, with eligibility to cast ballots in elections occurring on or after their 18th birthday. The bill also removes voting rights for individuals: (1) incarcerated under a prison sentence, (2) on felony probation/parole until discharge, or (3) convicted of a felony or misdemeanor related to voting rights. It requires all voters to register in their residence jurisdiction before the deadline, except as specified by federal law or other state provisions. The bill passed committee unanimously in the House (10-0) and is now moving forward in the legislative process.

Maddy summaryHB 729 creates an independent "Office of the Department of Corrections Ombudsman" to monitor prison conditions and investigate inmate complaints. This office directly affects incarcerated individuals, their families, and prison staff by overseeing issues like sanitation, medical care, abuse, and access to programs. Key mechanisms include annual facility inspections (more frequent for high-risk sites), collecting data on incidents like suicides and assaults, and publishing annual reports with recommendations. The office will also handle complaints and provide resources to support inmate rights, using a statewide reporting system to track facility conditions.

Maddy summaryHB 603 establishes Missouri's Office of the Department of Corrections Ombudsman to independently monitor correctional conditions and investigate complaints. The ombudsman office, with inspection and complaints investigation sections, directly affects incarcerated people and correctional staff by addressing "covered issues" like sanitation, safety, medical care, access to programs, and abuse allegations. Key provisions require the ombudsman to monitor department compliance with safety standards, provide information about rights, and investigate concerns raised by incarcerated individuals, staff, or family members. The bill mandates the ombudsman report annually to the governor and legislature on findings and recommendations. This creates a new oversight mechanism within the Department of Corrections, focusing on transparency and accountability.

Maddy summaryHB 285 requires high-poverty public and charter schools (where 70%+ of students qualify for free/reduced-price meals) to offer breakfast after the school day officially begins (not before class starts) starting in the 2025-26 school year. Schools already meeting a 70%+ breakfast program participation rate are exempt, and schools falling below the threshold get a two-year transition period before the requirement ends. The bill allows flexible service models (e.g., classroom breakfast, post-first-period) and mandates the state education department to provide implementation guidelines, technical support, annual reports, and assistance for schools needing to boost breakfast participation. It also includes a funding safeguard: if federal reimbursement rates drop below 2025 levels, the requirement is suspended.

Maddy summaryHB 112 requires all public schools (as defined by state law) to provide every enrolled student with one free breakfast and one free lunch daily during school days. This applies universally to all students attending classes, regardless of family income, directly affecting every public school student in the state. The key provision mandates daily meal provision without requiring income-based eligibility checks. The bill focuses on making breakfast and lunch free for all students as a standard school service. It does not specify funding mechanisms or implementation details beyond the meal requirement.

Maddy summaryHB 731 allows the Department of Corrections to file a separate "freestanding" claim of actual innocence in postconviction cases, meaning it can be raised independently of other appeals. Courts must review such claims if presented with clear and convincing evidence proving innocence, including evidence not previously considered at trial or during plea proceedings. If the evidence undermines confidence in the original conviction, the court must vacate the judgment. This directly affects individuals already convicted who seek to prove innocence through new evidence not available during their original trial.