Rep. Dean VanSchoiack

Maddy summaryHB 1225 requires private drone owners in this state to carry liability insurance for personal drone operations. The law mandates minimum coverage of $25,000 per person for bodily injury or death, $50,000 for multiple people in one incident, and $25,000 for property damage. It directly affects individuals who operate drones for personal use within the state, not commercial operators. This policy change ensures financial responsibility for drone-related accidents by setting clear insurance standards.

Maddy summaryHB 490 prevents Missouri from observing daylight saving time (DST) after the next clock change to standard time (falling back in November 2024). It requires the state to stop adjusting clocks for DST unless the federal government permanently adopts DST as the national standard time, in which case Missouri would align with that federal standard. This bill directly affects Missouri residents and state operations by altering the state's default timekeeping practice unless federal law changes.

Maddy summaryHB 212 prohibits drivers from passing other vehicles within 1,000 feet of public school driveways located on federal or state highways. This rule applies to all passing maneuvers (both left and right) and adds to existing traffic laws governing safe passing. The restriction does not apply within city, town, or village boundaries. Violating this provision would be classified as a class C misdemeanor.

Maddy summaryHB 747 creates a legal framework for appointing health care decision-makers for adults who become incapacitated and lack an existing health care proxy, guardian, or durable power of attorney. It establishes a priority order for decision-makers: spouse (unless separated), adult children, parents, siblings, and other close relatives or individuals familiar with the patient's values. The bill requires two physicians to confirm incapacity and ensures health care providers inform potential decision-makers by reviewing medical records and contacting family. This directly affects adults in medical emergencies without prior health care planning, ensuring decisions align with the patient's best interests as defined in the law.

Maddy summaryHB 491 modifies laws to grant legal capacity to minors aged 16 or 17 who are legally married. It allows these minors to independently contract for housing, employment, education, healthcare, and shelter services (including domestic violence or sexual assault support) under specific conditions: they must be homeless, a domestic violence victim, self-supporting, and have parental consent (expressed or implied through actions like abandonment or neglect). The bill also permits minors in foster care (children's division custody) to obtain auto insurance and bank accounts with agency consent, but they bear all associated costs and liability. Service providers contracting with these minors are protected from liability unless they act with gross negligence. This bill directly affects married minors under 18 and foster youth, removing barriers to essential services while clarifying financial and legal responsibilities.

Maddy summaryHB 493 creates a new sales tax exemption for certain used personal property sold by businesses in Missouri. The bill repeals old tax exemption rules and adds a specific provision exempting retail sales of tangible personal property (like used furniture, electronics, or vehicles) from state sales tax, provided the items are sold for final use or consumption. This directly affects businesses selling qualifying used goods, as they will no longer charge state sales tax on these transactions. The exemption applies to sales where the property is not intended for resale or further manufacturing, focusing on items bought for personal or business use. This policy change simplifies tax treatment for these specific used property sales without altering other tax rules.

Maddy summaryHB 815 updates rules for independent living and long-term care facilities in the state. It removes a requirement that facilities must have job applicants assessed by a physician before hiring, directly affecting staffing practices at these facilities. The bill also establishes a 24-hour window for facilities to correct safety violations (without immediate harm to residents) before public notices or agency reports are issued. These changes aim to streamline operations while maintaining resident safety standards, impacting facility operators, employees, and residents.

Maddy summaryHB 489 modifies rules for seizing neglected or abused animals by requiring law enforcement to obtain a court warrant supported by an affidavit before confiscation. It mandates a 30-day court hearing for animal disposition, prohibits sterilization before the hearing unless medically necessary, and requires animals to be placed with approved shelters or vets. Owners can reclaim animals by posting a bond covering care costs within 72 hours of the hearing, but agencies bear costs if owners are cleared of neglect or abuse. The bill also prohibits improper euthanasia or sterilization before hearings or during bond periods, imposing misdemeanor penalties for violations.

Maddy summaryHB 488 modifies Missouri's Clean Water Commission structure by renaming it and establishing new membership requirements. It mandates that seven governor-appointed members (with Senate approval) must include expertise in agriculture/industry, wastewater treatment, and water quality science, while prohibiting ties to permit holders. The bill also sets term lengths (four years, with staggered initial terms), requires political balance (no more than four members from one party), and defines meeting procedures. These changes directly affect who serves on the commission and how it operates. The bill passed the House unanimously in April 2025.

Maddy summaryHB 748 establishes a funding mechanism for two utility regulatory entities: the Public Service Commission and the Office of the Public Counsel. It requires regulated utilities (including electric, gas, water, sewer, and telecommunications companies) to pay annual fees based on their gross intrastate revenue, capped at 0.315% of total utility revenue for the Commission and 0.063% for the Public Counsel. These fees fund dedicated special accounts ("Public Service Commission Fund" and "Office of the Public Counsel Fund") that must cover only regulatory costs, with unspent funds rolling over annually to reduce future assessments. The bill directly affects all public utilities subject to the Commission’s jurisdiction by changing how regulatory costs are collected and allocated.