Rep. Jon Patterson

Maddy summaryThis proposed constitutional amendment would generally prohibit expanding Missouri's sales and use taxes to cover new services or transactions after January 1, 2015. However, it would allow expanding these taxes specifically to fund reductions in the state's individual income tax. Any revenue generated from such tax expansions would not count toward certain constitutional revenue limits. If approved by voters, it would require legislative action to adjust tax policies in line with these rules.

Maddy summaryHB 2539 requires all Missouri public school districts, schools, and charter schools to publish standardized annual report cards online by specific deadlines, detailing student performance, finances, and staff data to meet federal requirements. It establishes a new A-F rating system based on student achievement (40% for K-8, 25% for high schools), academic growth metrics, and for high schools, a "Success Ready Graduate" measure tracking college credits, career credentials, or advanced exams. Top-performing schools in the top 5% for performance or growth receive performance-based funding ($100/student) starting after the 2026-27 assessments, with funds used for staff bonuses. The bill directly affects schools, parents, and taxpayers through transparent accountability measures and ties funding to specific, measurable outcomes.

Maddy summaryThis bill limits digital instruction to 45 minutes daily for elementary students in kindergarten through grade five and requires at least 70% of assignments to be completed using pen, paper, or handwriting practice. It mandates daily access to printed books, hands-on learning tools (like blocks or science materials) in core subjects, and explicit cursive handwriting instruction starting in grade two, with requirements to read/write legible cursive by grade five. Exemptions apply for students with IEPs or 504 plans, and schools must adopt written technology-use policies, report device usage, and verify compliance with paper-based and cursive requirements. The law takes effect for the 2027-28 school year.

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 summaryHJR 174 proposes a constitutional amendment that would allow Missouri to eliminate its individual income tax by 2031 if specific revenue targets are met, while requiring the state to offset any revenue lost from this change. It prohibits expanding sales taxes to new services beyond those taxed in 2015 and mandates that local governments reduce other taxes (like property or sales taxes) if they expand the sales tax base to fund income tax elimination. The amendment also requires the state to adjust sales tax rates to maintain historical revenue levels after 2028 and exempts certain tax increases from revenue caps. This is a proposed amendment requiring voter approval, not current law, and does not affect existing tax debts or taxes on businesses, trusts, or estates.

Maddy summaryHB 1542 requires Missouri municipalities to submit annual reports detailing revenue and general obligation bond issuances to the Department of Economic Development. The bill mandates that these reports include specific information like bond terms, beneficiary business details, job creation estimates, and how funds will be used. The Department of Economic Development must then publish these reports on its website for public access. This bill directly affects municipalities issuing bonds and makes key financial details about municipal bond projects publicly available.

Maddy summaryHB 746 requires Missouri public schools and postsecondary institutions to prohibit antisemitic discrimination and harassment identically to racial discrimination, using the International Holocaust Remembrance Alliance's (IHRA) definition of antisemitism. It mandates that schools integrate this definition into student, faculty, and staff codes of conduct, include specific penalties for antisemitic harassment, and provide antisemitism awareness training for employees. The bill also establishes a state Title VI coordinator to monitor incidents, investigate complaints, and report findings annually to the legislature, while explicitly stating that criticism of Israel or protected speech under the First Amendment is not covered. This directly affects all public K-12 schools and colleges in Missouri receiving state or federal funding.

Maddy summaryHJR 1 proposes a constitutional amendment to establish strict spending limits for Missouri's state government. It requires that annual spending not exceed a baseline amount (based on prior year appropriations) adjusted by the state's population growth rate (e.g., 100% of prior spending for population decline, 101% for small growth). It creates a "Tax Reform Fund" within the state treasury to cover budget shortfalls only when spending limits are triggered, using revenues from specific tax changes. The amendment also mandates a two-thirds legislative vote to temporarily exceed the spending limit, with the exception lasting no more than 12 months. This directly affects state budgeting decisions and future tax policy implementation.

Maddy summaryHB 100 temporarily lowers Missouri's top income tax rate to 4.95% for tax years 2023-2025, then sets a permanent 4% rate starting January 1, 2026. It allows for future rate reductions (down to 0.1% per year) if state revenue exceeds prior years by specific dollar thresholds. The bill affects all Missouri residents who pay state income tax by modifying how income is taxed across different brackets. The legislation is currently pending in committee after being postponed for further review in February 2025.