Rep. Philip Oehlerking

Maddy summaryHB 2300 would create a two-year temporary license for out-of-state professionals who have at least three years of work experience in an occupation requiring a license in this state but did not require one where they worked. Applicants must pass required exams, prove U.S. citizenship, and provide proof of residency within 90 days of approval. The license expires after two years, requiring a permanent application, and does not qualify for interstate licensing compacts or reciprocity with other states. It excludes professions covered by existing licensing compacts, federal requirements, or specific regulated fields like electrical contractors. The bill applies to all licensing boards but does not override current interstate agreements.

Maddy summaryHB 2303 requires Missouri public school districts to implement a personal finance course as a half-unit graduation requirement starting in the 2027-28 school year. The bill mandates the Department of Elementary and Secondary Education to form a work group - including educators, banking representatives, and financial industry experts - to develop course standards. Students must complete this course after ninth grade to earn a high school diploma, with limited exemptions for transfer students or those with approved academic plans. The course content must cover money management, budgeting, and financial tools needed for adulthood. School districts will have until 2027 to adopt these standards, which must be reviewed every seven years.

Maddy summaryHB 2207 establishes Missouri's "Electric Choice and Competition Law," shifting the state's electricity market from a monopoly structure to one allowing customers to choose their electricity supplier. It requires electric utilities to provide open access to their transmission and distribution systems, enabling retail electric suppliers to sell directly to customers. Starting 24 months after August 28, 2026, commercial and industrial customers (those with higher energy use) will gain the ability to select a supplier, while residential customers will receive default supply service if they do not choose an alternative. The bill also standardizes billing (requiring either "dual bills" or "supplier consolidated bills") and creates mechanisms like a "competitive transition charge" to recover legacy costs from the monopoly era over time.

Maddy summaryHB 2233 establishes a framework for competitive electricity markets in Missouri, allowing residential and commercial customers to choose their electricity supplier starting 24 months after August 28, 2026. It directly affects residential customers, small/medium/large commercial businesses (defined by peak load), and investor-owned electric utilities, requiring utilities to provide open access to their transmission and distribution systems. Key provisions include creating "default supply service" for customers who don’t choose a new provider, mandating rate unbundling (separating supply and delivery costs), and implementing a "competitive transition charge" to recover legacy costs over time. The bill does not apply to municipal utilities or rural cooperatives unless they voluntarily opt into the competitive market.

Maddy summaryHB 2306 creates a property tax exemption for Missouri veterans with service-connected disabilities rated at 30% or higher by the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs. It reduces the taxable value of their primary residence by up to $500,000 based on disability rating (e.g., $10,000 for 30-50% rating, $500,000 for 100% rating). Surviving spouses retain the exemption if they live in the home and don’t remarry, and applications require annual VA documentation by April 1, starting tax year 2027. The exemption applies only to owner-occupied homes (not commercial properties) and does not affect how local tax rates are set.

Maddy summaryHB 2559 requires state agencies to obtain legislative approval before implementing new administrative rules that would cost over $250,000 annually for government, businesses, or individuals. Agencies must notify the Joint Committee on Administrative Rules and the full legislature, which must pass a concurrent resolution approving the rule before it takes effect. Rules not approved this way become invalid, with exceptions for federal compliance or funding requirements. This directly affects state agencies creating significant-cost rules and shifts authority to the legislature for final approval.

Maddy summaryHB 2301 modifies the definition of "committee" for campaign finance rules by excluding candidate committees and most continuing committees from the definition. However, it requires continuing committees to be treated as committees if they make certain expenditures (like those subject to Section 130.176) or contribute to committees that make such expenditures. This change directly affects groups raising or spending campaign funds, clarifying which entities must follow contribution limits and disclosure rules. The bill focuses on refining which organizations are subject to campaign finance regulations, without altering the underlying contribution limits or prohibitions.

Maddy summaryHB 754 updates rules for Missouri financial organizations (like banks and trust companies) by replacing outdated sections of state law. It requires new corporate formation documents to include specific details like corporate name restrictions, capital stock amounts, and shareholder information. The bill also allows directors of well-rated institutions (FFIEC rating 1 or 2) to participate in board meetings remotely via phone or video, provided meeting materials are shared and participation meets strict privacy requirements. These changes directly affect financial organizations seeking to form or operate in Missouri.

Maddy summaryHB 1215, "The Procurement Protection Act," prohibits state agencies and political subdivisions from awarding contracts for goods or services to "foreign adversary companies" (those tied to countries like China, Russia, or Iran) or "federally banned corporations" (entities already barred by federal law). Companies must certify they are not on these restricted lists, and false certifications could trigger civil penalties of up to $250,000 or double the contract value, plus a five-year bidding ban. Exceptions are allowed only if no reasonable alternatives exist, the purchase is pre-approved by the Office of Administration, and not procuring the item poses a greater state risk. The bill directly affects state procurement decisions, contractors bidding on state contracts, and entities linked to designated foreign adversaries.

Maddy summaryHB 1429 requires Missouri counties, cities, towns, and other local government agencies (political subdivisions) to allow contractors to submit bids electronically for publicly funded construction projects like roads, bridges, and buildings. It mandates secure electronic bid systems that verify bidder identity, protect bid confidentiality, and prevent tampering, while requiring online notice posting and electronic receipts for submissions. The bill also directs Missouri's Office of Administration to develop implementation guidelines within a year, referencing existing government procurement systems as examples. This affects all local governments conducting construction bids and the contractors bidding on those projects.