Rep. Jeff Hales

Maddy summaryHB 1737 makes it illegal to secretly install or place an electronic tracking device on a motor vehicle without the consent of all vehicle owners, specifically to monitor or follow occupants. This directly affects individuals who might secretly track vehicles (e.g., in stalking, unauthorized monitoring, or without owner permission), with penalties including a class A misdemeanor for a first offense or a class E felony for repeat violations. Key exceptions include law enforcement using trackers during investigations, parents monitoring minor children in their vehicle, tracking stolen vehicles or goods, and certain rental companies or insurance programs. The law explicitly excludes vehicle manufacturers and covers specific scenarios like vulnerable adult care or lienholder repossession.

Maddy summaryHB 1738 would allow registered voters to request an absentee ballot without providing a specific reason (such as illness, travel, or religious observance) for a three-week period before an election. This change removes the current requirement that voters list a qualifying justification to access absentee voting. The bill applies to absentee ballots requested by mail or other non-in-person methods, while maintaining standard requirements like photo ID verification. It aims to simplify the absentee voting process by expanding access during a fixed pre-election window.

Maddy summaryHB 2493 requires Missouri firearm owners to report lost or stolen firearms to local law enforcement within 72 hours of discovery. The law mandates reporting the firearm's make, model, and serial number, which must be entered into Missouri's state law enforcement database. Failure to report results in tiered fines: $100 for a first violation, $400 for a second, and up to $500 for third or subsequent violations (classified as misdemeanors). This bill directly affects all Missouri firearm owners who experience loss or theft of their weapons.

Maddy summaryHB 2519 expands Missouri's hate crime definitions to include offenses motivated by race, religion, national origin, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, or disability. It upgrades penalties for hate-motivated crimes to class D or E felonies and requires law enforcement agencies to report such offenses. The bill mandates new training for peace officers, including six hours on hate offense identification and victim assistance for those licensed after 2026, and six hours on racial profiling and bias for those licensed after 2027. These changes directly affect law enforcement officers, prosecutors, and court systems by altering how hate crimes are defined, prosecuted, and handled during officer training.

Maddy summaryHB 2518 ensures DACA recipients who meet all educational and professional requirements for a licensed occupation in the state can obtain a license on the same terms as U.S. citizens or legal permanent residents. It prohibits oversight bodies (like licensing boards) from considering immigration status when reviewing applications, requiring evaluations to be based solely on qualifications, education, and competency. The bill directly affects DACA recipients seeking professions requiring state licenses (e.g., healthcare, law, trades) and mandates that their licenses carry identical rights, renewability, and validity periods as those issued to citizens. The law takes effect for all applications submitted on or after August 28, 2026.

Maddy summaryHB 2520 requires Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) agents operating in Missouri to reveal their identity during enforcement actions, prohibiting masks or face coverings that obscure their face. Exceptions include transparent face shields, medical masks for health protection, safety gear like helmets or respirators, and motorcycle helmets during vehicle operation. The law applies to all ICE agents in Missouri during routine operations, with violations punishable as a class A misdemeanor, though it excludes undercover agents and Special Response Team members during active duties.

Maddy summaryHB 2522 allows individuals with specific U.S. federal employment authorizations to obtain professional or occupational licenses (like for nursing or contracting) if they provide two documents: an unexpired DHS employment authorization card (Form I-766) and proof they meet federal REAL ID Act criteria. Licenses issued under this bill are only valid for the same period as the employment authorization document. The bill explicitly states it does not change other license requirements, grant access to public benefits beyond licensing, or alter immigration status. It directly affects immigrants with certain work permits who seek licensed professions but does not impact unrelated licensing rules or eligibility for other government assistance.

Maddy summaryHB 2550 proposes allowing University City (a city with 33,000-36,500 residents) to impose a tax on short-term hotel and motel stays, but only if voters approve it. The tax would apply to guests staying 31 days or less per quarter, capped at 8% of the room charge per night, and must be listed separately from other fees. Proceeds would fund general city operations, not specific projects. The bill requires a voter referendum with a specific ballot question, and the tax would only take effect after a majority votes "yes" at an election. (Note: This bill is procedural and requires voter approval before implementation.)

Maddy summaryHB 1921, the "Missouri Worker Dues Tax Fairness Act," allows Missouri taxpayers to subtract union dues from their state income tax. It applies to individuals who pay union dues (including initiation fees but excluding political contributions) and are subject to Missouri income tax, with a maximum annual subtraction of $2,000 per person or $4,000 for joint returns. The deduction becomes effective for tax years beginning January 1, 2027, and requires taxpayers to provide documentation like pay stubs or union statements to claim the benefit. This policy directly affects union members by reducing their taxable income for state tax purposes.

Maddy summaryHB 1950 replaces Missouri's existing maternal care reporting law with new provisions focused on reducing infant mortality. It requires counties to annually report infant deaths to local health agencies, disaggregate data by race/ethnicity, and establish fetal/infant mortality review committees in areas with high death rates (five+ deaths in a year or two consecutive years above the state average). Local health agencies must investigate at least 20% of term infant deaths (or one case if fewer than five deaths occur) with a confidential review process, prohibiting public disclosure of individual cases while allowing statistical reporting. This bill directly affects counties, local health agencies, and medical professionals involved in infant mortality reviews, aiming to identify disparities and improve care through data-driven analysis.