Rep. Brad Christ

Maddy summaryHB 3231 establishes Missouri's "Innovation District Program," allowing cities to voluntarily designate specific downtown or main street areas as innovation districts to access state economic development incentives. Participating cities must submit a master plan outlining district boundaries, infrastructure needs, and how incentives will be used, which the state must approve within 45 days. The bill provides standardized state tax breaks (like income tax exemptions and opportunity zones) and local incentives (such as property tax abatements) for qualifying projects within designated districts, evaluated using a uniform "master scorecard." It ensures these incentives apply automatically to eligible projects without local restrictions but explicitly states cities cannot be forced to join and local zoning authority remains intact.

Maddy summaryHB 3537 creates new rules for private companies handling biometric data like fingerprints, facial scans, or voiceprints. It requires companies to get customer consent (which can be implied through actions like using a service) before collecting or using this data for commercial purposes (not security, employment, or healthcare), store it securely, and destroy it within one year or after the customer's last interaction. The law excludes healthcare data protected by federal HIPAA, financial data under the Gramm-Leach-Bliley Act, and biometric data used for employment or security purposes. Companies must follow reasonable security standards for this data but cannot be sued for violations under this law.

Maddy summaryHB 3536 modifies sentencing rules to require longer prison terms for certain defendants with prior criminal records. It directly affects individuals convicted of class B, C, D, or E felonies who are classified as "persistent offenders" (two or more prior felonies), "dangerous offenders" (violent felony plus prior serious offense), or those subject to prior conviction-based sentencing enhancements. The bill mandates that courts automatically sentence these defendants to the term authorized for the next higher felony class - such as sentencing a class B felony conviction as if it were a class A felony - rather than the standard term. This applies only when prior offenses occurred before the current crime and meet the specific definitions outlined in the bill.

Maddy summaryHB 2935 requires hospitals with emergency departments to have a physician physically present and on duty at all times the emergency department is open. This directly affects all hospitals operating emergency services within the state. The key provision mandates continuous on-site medical supervision during all operational hours, eliminating gaps in physician availability. The bill is currently in the early legislative stages after introduction in January 2026.

Maddy summaryHB 3067 regulates the sale of kratom products by requiring dealers (including stores, restaurants, and manufacturers) to clearly label products with their mitragynine and 7-hydroxymitragynine content. It bans selling kratom products adulterated with dangerous non-kratom substances, contaminated with harmful ingredients, containing excessive alkaloids (over 2% 7-hydroxymitragynine), or including synthetic compounds. The bill also prohibits sales to anyone under 18 and preempts local regulations on kratom sales. Violations can result in fines up to $1,000 for labeling issues or class D misdemeanors for other violations, with private lawsuits allowed for harmed consumers.

Maddy summaryHB 3152 requires hospitals with off-campus outpatient clinics (located more than 250 yards from the main campus) to use a separate unique health provider ID (NPI) for billing those locations. It directly affects hospitals, health insurers, and patients receiving care at these off-campus sites by mandating separate billing to prevent incorrect charges. The key provision requires all claims for services at these clinics to use the dedicated NPI on standard billing forms, starting after December 31, 2026. Violations can result in fines up to $1,000 per incident, license penalties, or liability for patients if hospitals improperly bill them.

Maddy summaryHB 3151 modifies the state's tax code by expanding the definition of "food" to include dietary and nutritional supplements, making them eligible for the 1% sales tax rate instead of the standard higher rate. This directly affects consumers purchasing supplements (like vitamins or protein powders) and businesses selling them, as they would pay the reduced tax rate. The bill specifies that "dietary and nutritional supplements" follow the federal definition under 21 U.S.C. § 321(ff), and clarifies that this exemption does not apply to restaurants or food establishments where more than 80% of revenue comes from prepared meals. The change applies to all sales of these supplements, regardless of where they are purchased.

Maddy summaryHB 3149 modifies Missouri county sales tax rules to specifically direct revenue from certain local sales taxes toward early childhood education. It requires counties seeking to fund early childhood education through new sales taxes to obtain voter approval via ballot measure, with the tax rate limited to a combined maximum of 1.5% after 2025. The bill mandates that any revenue collected for this purpose must be deposited into the dedicated early childhood education fund and managed under existing rules (Section 67.5420). This directly affects Missouri counties considering new local sales taxes for education, as well as voters who must approve such tax proposals. The bill does not create new taxes but changes how existing county sales tax authority can be allocated.

Maddy summaryHR 4042 is a symbolic resolution passed by the Missouri House of Representatives expressing support for Saint Louis University (SLU) joining the Big East Conference. It does not create new laws or policies - it solely affirms the House's position that SLU's membership would benefit Missouri economically and regionally. The resolution cites SLU's fit with the conference's profile, potential for increased tourism and revenue, and parallels to other Missouri universities' successful conference transitions. As a non-binding expression of support, it has no direct effect on SLU, the Big East, or Missouri's laws.

Maddy summaryHB 2376 makes it a class B misdemeanor to intentionally solicit, beg, or ask for cash, currency, or other financial items on interstate highways, public rights-of-way, or adjacent ramps. It directly affects individuals who solicit for money in these specific public transportation areas. The law defines "anything of value" as cash or financial instruments but excludes authorized charitable solicitors under existing law. This bill creates a new minor criminal offense for solicitation in these high-traffic zones.