Rep. Steve Butz

Maddy summaryHB 529 modifies Missouri law regarding the sheriff of St. Louis City by requiring all sheriffs to hold a valid peace officer license (with an exception for St. Louis City, which is exempt from this new requirement). It also sets a minimum annual salary of $50,000 for St. Louis City sheriff's deputies and clarifies that the city sheriff appoints deputies without needing county approval. The bill directly affects the St. Louis City sheriff’s office and its deputies by establishing new licensing standards and pay requirements. These changes would take effect if the bill is passed into law.

Maddy summaryHB 523 prohibits candidates for office from serving as the treasurer of their own campaign committee. This bill amends election law to remove an existing exception that allowed candidates to act as their own treasurer, requiring them instead to appoint a separate individual for this role. The change applies to all candidates required to form a candidate committee under state election rules, including those running for offices listed in the law. This ensures campaign finances are managed by an independent treasurer rather than the candidate themselves.

Maddy summaryHB 1476 modifies eligibility requirements for the St. Louis sheriff position. It requires all candidates to hold a valid peace officer license at the time of filing for office, with an exception for certain large counties or cities with charters. This bill directly affects individuals seeking the St. Louis sheriff position by adding a licensing prerequisite. The bill does not change existing provisions about the sheriff's authority to appoint deputies or set their compensation.

Maddy summaryHB 2465 prohibits candidates from serving as the treasurer of their own campaign committees, requiring them to appoint a separate individual to manage financial records and disburse funds. This change aims to increase transparency and accountability by ensuring that a candidate's campaign finances are overseen by an independent party rather than the candidate themselves. The bill also mandates that all campaign contributions and expenditures be processed through a designated official bank account, preventing the commingling of personal and campaign funds. Candidates who do not comply with these requirements must form a formal candidate committee and designate a treasurer who resides in the same state and district as the committee.

Maddy summaryThis bill proposes to increase the state cigarette tax from $0.17 to $0.27 per pack, with the additional revenue dedicated to public education and health care programs. The tax hike is not immediate; instead, it requires voter approval via a referendum scheduled for November 2024 before it can take effect. If approved, the new funds would be split between the state school money fund and the health initiatives fund, though specific distribution percentages are detailed in related sections of the law. The legislation also outlines administrative rules for tax stamping and collection, ensuring that retailers act as agents for the state in collecting the tax from consumers.

Maddy summaryHB 2466 requires political campaign committees to include copies of their monthly bank statements in financial disclosure reports. This change directly affects candidates, political parties, and other groups that must file receipts and expenditures with state election officials. The bill aims to increase transparency by providing a clear, itemized view of a committee's cash on hand and account activity alongside existing details on contributions and spending. Committees must attach these bank records to their reports for the specific periods defined in the legislation, ensuring that public records reflect the actual funds held in committee accounts.

Maddy summaryThis bill modifies the structure and appointment process for the Missouri Ethics Commission to ensure greater independence and balanced representation. It establishes that commission members will be appointed by the governor from lists of nominees provided by the two major political parties based on their congressional districts, with strict limits on how many members can come from the same party or district. The legislation also introduces new rules requiring nominees to disclose financial interests and outlines specific term lengths, vacancy procedures, and post-service restrictions to prevent conflicts of interest. Additionally, the bill clarifies the commission's administrative relationship with the Office of Administration, ensuring that the governor and state administrators cannot interfere with the commission's policy functions or budget.

Maddy summaryThis bill creates a new infraction for possessing an open alcoholic beverage container in the passenger area of a motor vehicle on public roads. The law defines an open container as any bottle or can that is open, has a broken seal, or has had some liquid removed, while excluding locked glove compartments and areas behind the rear seats. Exceptions are made for passengers in commercial transport vehicles and the living quarters of motor homes, and the offense will not appear on official driving records.

Maddy summaryThis bill updates the rules for what counts as unlawful possession of a firearm in the state. It clarifies that people convicted of felonies, fugitives, those habitually intoxicated or drugged, mentally incompetent individuals, and minors on public property are generally prohibited from having firearms. The law also sets the penalty as a class D felony, or a class C felony if the person has a prior dangerous felony conviction. Additionally, the bill creates an exception for individuals who have completed a hunter education course and excludes antique firearms from these restrictions.

Maddy summaryThis bill proposes a constitutional amendment to protect the right to own and carry firearms for self-defense and other lawful purposes, while allowing local governments to regulate those rights. It mandates that any restrictions on gun rights must pass a strict legal test and requires the state to protect these rights against infringement. The amendment permits counties and cities to create their own gun control ordinances, such as requiring permits with fees limited to administrative costs and setting permit validity to five years. Local rules can apply to both residents and non-residents but must honor permits issued by the person's home county, and they cannot impose penalties harsher than a $1,000 fine or one year in jail. The text explicitly excludes convicted violent felons and individuals deemed dangerous due to mental disorders from these protections.