Maddy summaryThis bill modifies the powers of the state auditor by updating how state funds are managed and reporting requirements are enforced. It mandates that most state department fees and moneys be deposited into the state treasury within thirty days and transferred to the general revenue fund at the end of each two-year budget cycle, with specific exceptions for university funds, federal grants, and hospital fees. Additionally, the legislation introduces a new rule requiring a two-thirds vote in both legislative chambers to allow any new fund to keep its unspent money instead of returning it to the general revenue fund. These changes aim to increase transparency and ensure that state funds are appropriated for their intended purposes unless a supermajority explicitly votes to exempt them.
Sponsored bills
Maddy summaryThis bill, known as the Artistic Protection Act of 2024, generally prevents prosecutors from using a defendant's creative or artistic work, such as music, writing, or visual art, as evidence against them in criminal trials. It allows a judge to make an exception only if the state proves by a high standard that the artwork contains a specific literal statement directly related to the crime and relevant to a disputed fact. If such an exception is granted, the court must carefully edit the evidence to show only the necessary parts and instruct the jury on how to consider it properly. The law aims to protect individuals from having their artistic expressions used to prove their guilt in court while still permitting rare instances where the art itself serves as critical proof.
Maddy summaryHB 2105 requires Missouri school districts to submit specific information about their board members and election processes to local election authorities. The bill mandates that districts report names, term lengths, expiration dates, and links to candidate filing instructions for each board member, with updates required within seven days of any vacancies or personnel changes. Election authorities must then forward this data to the Secretary of State's office, which will publish a publicly accessible list of all school board information on its website. Additionally, the legislation clarifies election schedules and term lengths for various types of school districts, ensuring that election dates align with municipal elections based on population and district classification.
Maddy summaryHB 2629 modifies the "Champion for Children" tax credit to allow taxpayers to claim a credit equal to up to 50% of donations made to specific child advocacy organizations, such as Court Appointed Special Advocates, child advocacy centers, and crisis care centers. The bill increases this credit percentage to 70% for contributions made in tax years beginning on or after January 1, 2025, while setting a minimum credit value of $50. To qualify, donors must receive a verification letter from the agency, and the total amount of credits available to all taxpayers is capped at $1 million annually until 2019, rising to $1.5 million until 2025, and then to $25 million per year. The legislation also outlines administrative rules for agencies to maintain their status and specifies that any unused credit amount can be carried forward for up to five years but cannot be refunded or sold.
Maddy summaryHB 2747 modifies the legal definition of an emergency vehicle in Missouri to explicitly include vehicles operated by state, county, or municipal park rangers. This change ensures that park ranger vehicles are recognized alongside other law enforcement and emergency services when responding to urgent situations. The bill does not alter the existing rules regarding right-of-way, siren use, or traffic exemptions for emergency vehicles; it simply expands the list of authorized agencies whose vehicles qualify for these privileges. By updating the definition, the legislation allows park rangers to legally utilize emergency lights and sirens when performing official duties that require immediate response.
Maddy summaryThis bill proposes a constitutional amendment in Missouri to guarantee parents the right to know what is taught in public schools. The change would require schools and school districts to provide transparent access to their curricula, lesson plans, and a list of all materials available in school libraries. If approved by voters, this provision would legally ensure that families can review educational content used with their children.