Rep. Michael Burton

Maddy summaryHB 2981 creates a new property tax credit for eligible Missouri homeowners, primarily seniors (65+), disabled individuals, or qualifying married couples, whose property tax bills increase by more than a calculated threshold. It directly affects homeowners with combined income under $70,000 (adjusted annually) who own a homestead without significant non-disability improvements (exceeding 5% of assessed value). The credit offsets tax increases above the "homestead exemption limit" (based on prior-year tax liability changes), calculated separately from existing tax rates. Homeowners must apply annually between April 1 and October 15, providing proof of age, income, and tax payment history, with applications processed by the Department of Revenue. The credit applies only to subclass (1) real property and excludes those already claiming other property tax relief.

Maddy summaryHB 2987 would designate the black bear as Missouri's official state mammal. This symbolic bill does not create new policies or affect laws, but formally recognizes the black bear as the state's representative mammal. It amends Missouri law to replace the current official mammal designation with the black bear. The bill is procedural and has no direct impact on citizens, regulations, or funding.

Maddy summaryHB 2985 requires background checks for all private sales or transfers of firearms, affecting individuals selling firearms to others outside of licensed dealer transactions. Sellers must arrange for a background check through a licensed dealer or law enforcement agency before transferring a firearm, and the transfer cannot proceed without the central repository's approval, valid for 30 days. Exceptions include transfers between immediate family members, antique firearms, temporary transfers for hunting or shooting range use, and transfers due to death or legal ownership changes. Violating this requirement would be punishable as a class B misdemeanor.

Maddy summaryHJR 166 proposes amending Missouri's state constitution to redefine marriage as a union between "two persons regardless of their genders," replacing the current definition of marriage between "a man and a woman." If approved by voters in a 2026 election, this change would directly affect all marriage licenses issued in Missouri by altering the constitutional basis for marriage. The bill requires voter approval through a referendum scheduled for November 2026 or a special election called by the governor. This is a procedural constitutional amendment, not a law changing current marriage regulations.

Maddy summaryHB 2982 establishes new safety standards for non-religious summer camps operating in the state for children aged five and older (May-September). It requires camps to implement written emergency plans covering medical, aquatic, and other crises; ensure 50% of counselors and directors are trained in CPR/AED; conduct annual inspections of aquatic equipment; maintain public licensing records; and conduct comprehensive criminal background checks for all counselors. The bill directly affects summer camp operators, staff, and parents (who must receive licensure disclosures), replacing prior informal practices with mandatory compliance. Violations after May 1, 2028, face escalating fines, while pre-2028 offenses receive written warnings.

Maddy summaryHB 2983 changes workers' compensation rules so that if an employee dies and has no dependents, payments can go directly to certain family members instead of being held by the estate. It specifically allows payments to adult children (even if too old to be dependents), parents, grandparents, siblings, or other close relatives defined in the bill. The bill explicitly rejects a 2007 Missouri court case (Schoemehl v. Treasurer) that had previously limited these payments to dependents only. This affects families of deceased workers who currently might not receive compensation due to lack of qualifying dependents.

Maddy summaryHB 2984 clarifies campaign finance rules by defining key terms like "candidate," "committee," and "ballot measure" to set clear reporting requirements. It specifies when an individual becomes a "candidate" (e.g., receiving contributions or announcing a run) and establishes thresholds for small committees (e.g., groups spending under $500 annually). The bill also defines types of committees, such as "candidate committees" controlled directly by the candidate, and outlines when committees must terminate. These changes primarily affect candidates, campaign groups, and political committees required to file financial reports.

Maddy summaryHB 2986 allows minors who were legally married before August 28, 2025, to file for divorce, legal separation, or marriage invalidity without needing consent from their custodial parent or guardian. The bill directly affects minors in such marriages by removing a legal barrier to ending their marital status. Key provisions specify that these petitions must follow standard court procedures under sections 452.300-452.415, including using "petition" and "respondent" terminology. This change applies only to marriages finalized prior to the specified date, making it a targeted policy adjustment for affected minors.

Maddy summaryHB 1662 requires all public schools to provide every enrolled student with one free breakfast and one free lunch each school day they attend classes. This applies to all students attending public schools as defined by state law, directly affecting every child in participating schools. The bill mandates daily meal provision without requiring families to qualify for reduced-price programs. It creates a new requirement for school districts to cover the cost of these meals for all students. The legislation is still in early stages, having been prefaced and read for the first time.

Maddy summaryHB 1618 proposes a new "Missouri Clean Indoor Air Act" by redefining key terms that determine where smoking and vaping are prohibited. It clarifies that smoke-free rules apply to restaurants, health care facilities, government buildings, and most workplaces, while creating specific exemptions for certain cigar-tobacco bars that meet revenue thresholds (over 50% from tobacco sales). The bill defines terms like "electronic smoking device" (including e-cigarettes and vapes), "secondhand smoke," and "enclosed area" to establish clear boundaries for smoke-free zones. This proposed legislation would directly affect businesses (especially bars and food service venues), employees, and public health agencies by standardizing indoor air quality requirements. The bill is currently in early legislative stages (prefiled and read first/second time in 2026) and has not yet become law.