Rep. Tony Harbison

Maddy summaryHCR 45 is a Missouri legislative resolution urging the federal government to adjust "Payment in Lieu of Taxes" (PILT) payments for counties with high federal land ownership and poverty rates. It specifically targets Missouri counties where 16% or more residents live below the federal poverty line, requesting PILT payments equal the tax assessment that would apply if the land were classified as level 7 agricultural land. The resolution focuses on counties like Wayne, Shannon, and Taney, which collectively hold over 1.7 million acres of federal land and rank among Missouri's poorest. It does not change federal law but formally asks Congress to modify PILT calculations to better support these communities.

Maddy summaryHB 3312 establishes a 6-year pilot program that redirects local sales tax revenues from purchases made in one county (seller's county) to the county where the buyer lives (purchaser's county). It directly affects veterans and senior citizens in specific small counties (based on population thresholds) by using redirected funds to eliminate veterans' residential property tax bills and reduce up to 30% of senior citizens' property taxes. The program requires sellers to use a unique transaction code to identify the purchaser's county, with tax revenues collected into a separate trust fund before being distributed monthly to qualifying counties. Counties must use these funds first to replace lost revenue from veterans' tax eliminations, then for senior citizen reductions, with any remaining funds going to general county revenue.

Maddy summaryHB 3469 would allow Shannon County (a county with 7,000-8,000 residents) to impose a 5% surcharge on watercraft rentals (like kayaks and canoes) and short-term lodging (such as hotels, motels, campgrounds, or vacation rentals for stays under 31 days). The tax must be approved by voters in a county election before taking effect, and the revenue would go to the county’s general fund. Businesses collecting these rentals would be required to separately charge and remit the tax to the county. The bill does not change existing taxes but adds this new surcharge subject to voter approval.

Maddy summaryHB 2890 changes how mineral rights taxes are handled in the state. It requires mineral rights (like oil or gas rights) owned by someone other than the landowner to be taxed directly to that rights holder, not the landowner. The bill specifies that taxes on these separate mineral rights won’t create a lien, meaning they can’t be used to seize the land itself. This directly affects mineral rights holders (such as energy companies or investors) who don’t own the surface land, shifting their tax responsibility and removing land seizure risk.

Maddy summaryHCR 34 is a Missouri legislative resolution urging Congress to support the Major Richard Star Act. It directly affects medically retired service members with less than 20 years of service and a disability rating below 50%, who currently lose $1 in retirement pay for every $1 in disability benefits they receive. The resolution seeks to eliminate this offset, allowing these veterans to receive full retirement pay and VA disability benefits simultaneously. This change would impact an estimated 50,000 veterans, as noted in the resolution's findings. The bill is procedural and does not create new law, but formally requests federal action.

Maddy summaryHB 2669 increases Missouri's daily reimbursement rate for counties and cities holding inmates from $37.50 to $40 per day. It directly affects local governments that house individuals sentenced under specific laws, including probation/parole revocations or pretrial detention. The bill requires counties to submit reimbursement claims within two years of eligibility, with the state paying for eligible custody days. This change applies to cases where the state is legally liable for costs under existing statutes, such as sentences under Chapter 558 or detention under Section 559.026.

Maddy summaryHB 3018 transfers jurisdiction over specific Missouri lands to the U.S. government. It cedes land used by the U.S. as an "honor farm" near a federal penitentiary and grants the U.S. shared control within the Ozark National Scenic Riverways area (excluding the White River, Osage, and St. Francois River watersheds). This bill directly affects land management authority between Missouri and federal agencies, with no new policies or direct impacts on residents.

Maddy summaryHB 2917 creates a "Senior Tenant Bill of Rights" for renters aged 60 or older. It requires landlords to provide written leases before move-in, give 30-day renewal notices, maintain safe housing, disclose all fees upfront, and follow clear rent increase guidelines. Seniors can report violations to adult protective services, which will assist with complaints and connect them to legal aid resources. The bill directly affects landlords renting to seniors and aims to standardize tenant protections for this age group.

Maddy summaryHB 3004 prohibits businesses from advertising or selling products as made with specific wood species (like oak or maple) if the product's visible wood surface isn't actually that wood. It directly affects retailers and manufacturers selling wood products, requiring their decorative surfaces to match advertised wood types. The bill gives the Department of Agriculture authority to create rules for enforcement, subject to existing state regulatory procedures. This aims to prevent misleading marketing by ensuring wood product claims accurately reflect the material used.

Maddy summaryHJR 176 proposes a constitutional amendment requiring Missouri to send 25% of revenue from state-managed natural resources (like minerals or timber) to the county where those resources are extracted or located. If approved by voters, this would take effect after the 2026 election and require resubmission to voters every ten years for renewal. Counties with natural resource extraction would directly receive this funding, while the state legislature could establish specific rules for how the payments are calculated and distributed. The amendment would replace current revenue distribution rules and need voter approval to become law.