Rep. Jeff Hales

Maddy summaryHB 3283 modifies how public employee unions and government employers negotiate contracts. It requires both sides to bargain in good faith for wages, benefits, and working conditions, with a 180-day deadline to reach an agreement before mediation begins. If negotiations stall, the dispute moves to mediation (within 14 days) and then binding interest arbitration (within 90 days), with arbitrators selected from federal or private panels. The bill prohibits public employers from making unilateral changes to negotiated terms during bargaining and ensures arbitration decisions are binding, except for provisions requiring new laws. It directly affects public sector unions and government bodies across Missouri.

Maddy summaryHB 1855 requires Missouri's Department of Health and Senior Services to add alpha-gal syndrome and Lyme disease to its list of noncommunicable diseases needing mandatory reporting. Healthcare providers must report most cases within seven days of a positive lab result, while labs must report alpha-gal syndrome cases using specific IgE test thresholds (≥0.1 IU/mL). The department must verify cases through random sampling and submit annual reports to the CDC on these diseases. This directly affects healthcare providers, laboratories, and public health officials responsible for disease surveillance in Missouri.

Maddy summaryHB 1736 modifies county sales tax rules for park funds to allow stormwater management projects within parks. It permits counties to use 50% of their allocated tax revenue for stormwater projects that either acquire park land/greenways or enhance natural park features without reducing park benefits. This affects counties and municipalities receiving these funds, which must still align with park purposes. The bill expands existing park funding uses without changing overall tax allocation percentages.

Maddy summaryHB 2830 proposes increasing a user fee collected by Missouri recorders of deeds from $3 to $9 per recorded property document. This fee change directly affects property owners and real estate professionals who must pay the fee when recording deeds, mortgages, or other land-related documents. The additional $6 per transaction (making the total $9) would be sent to the Missouri Housing Trust Fund, specifically designated for housing-related programs under Section 215.034. The bill does not alter other fee components, such as the $2 retained by recorders for office operations or the $1 allocated to land survey and local records funds.

Maddy summaryHB 2975 changes Missouri's personal income tax structure by creating new progressive tax brackets and eliminating tax breaks for certain capital gains. It establishes a temporary top rate of 4.95% for 2023-2026 (down from 5.9%), with potential further reductions if state revenue exceeds specific thresholds. Starting in 2027, new brackets take effect with a 0% rate for income under $2,000, followed by 2.9% to 5.9% rates for higher income levels, adjusted annually for inflation. This bill directly affects all Missouri residents filing state income taxes, altering how their taxable income is calculated under the new rates and brackets.

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 1908 ensures Missouri courts can grant a divorce (dissolution of marriage) or legal separation even if one party is pregnant. The bill explicitly states that pregnancy status does not prevent a court from entering such a judgment, removing any prior barrier. Courts must still meet standard requirements, including residency, the marriage being irretrievably broken (for divorce) or not (for legal separation), and arrangements for children and property. This change directly affects individuals in Missouri family court cases involving pregnancy who seek divorce or legal separation.

Maddy summaryHB 1574 modifies rules for removing abandoned vehicles or vessels from private property. It allows property owners, lessees, or security managers (who must be full-time employees) to authorize towing without police approval only if: 1) clear signage is displayed (17x22 inches, showing fees and contact info), 2) vehicles are unattended for 10+ hours on small residential property, or 3) vehicles are unattended for 96+ hours on other private property. The bill requires detailed reports documenting the vehicle, damage, location, and owner info, which must be submitted to law enforcement within 2-24 hours. This directly affects property owners, security personnel, towing companies, and vehicle owners whose vehicles are deemed abandoned under these rules.

Maddy summaryHB 289 requires limited liability companies (LLCs) owning real property in St. Louis County (which has over 1 million residents) to designate a contact person with the county clerk. Specifically, LLCs must file an affidavit listing a natural person's name and address with management responsibility for the property - whether rented, leased, or unoccupied. The bill prohibits charging fees for this filing and allows affected parties or local governments to seek court enforcement if an LLC fails to comply. This directly affects LLC property owners in St. Louis County, adding a straightforward contact requirement for property management coordination.

Maddy summaryHB 1573 expands absentee voting access by allowing any registered voter in the state to request an absentee ballot without providing a reason for voting by mail during a three-week period before elections. This change applies to all candidates and issues for which the voter is eligible to vote at their polling place. Voters must still provide photo ID when requesting the ballot, and specific ballot submission rules (like notarization requirements for certain ballots) remain in place. The bill directly affects all registered voters who choose to vote absentee without needing to justify their absence from polling places on election day.