Rep. Peggy McGaugh

Maddy summaryHB 1871 revises Missouri's election laws by replacing 14 existing sections with 22 new provisions. It standardizes election dates (e.g., general elections on the first Tuesday after the first Monday in November) while creating exceptions for bond elections due to disasters, school district tax elections during revenue declines, and presidential preference primaries in March. The bill updates notice requirements, mandating written election notices 10 Tuesdays before most elections and allowing email/fax submissions for some notices. These changes directly affect all Missouri public elections - including local, state, and school board elections - and apply to election officials and authorities statewide.

Maddy summaryHB 1940 updates requirements for newspapers publishing legal notices and real estate advertisements. It would require such newspapers to have been continuously published for at least one year (reducing the prior three-year requirement), maintain a list of paid subscribers, and meet specific circulation standards. The bill also specifies that in cities with over 100,000 residents, legal notices must appear in a daily newspaper that has met these requirements for one year. These changes apply directly to newspapers seeking to be designated as legal publications for court or government notices.

Maddy summaryHB 2596 modifies rules for multi-employer self-insured health plans, which are arrangements offering health benefits to employees of two or more employers (or self-employed individuals) without full insurance backing. The bill requires these plans to maintain a minimum financial safety net - either three times their average monthly premium, $600,000, or two times their risk-based capital amount - depending on their experience. This directly affects staff leasing companies and multi-employer health plans that operate without a fully insured insurer. The changes aim to ensure these plans have sufficient funds to cover future claims.

Maddy summaryHB 3183 establishes the Missouri Ireland Trade Commission, a nine-member body to advance trade and economic ties between Missouri and Ireland. The commission includes three Senate appointees (with Irish trade expertise), three House appointees (with Irish trade expertise), and three gubernatorial appointees (representing higher education, business organizations, and Irish-American communities). It will study bilateral trade, policy collaboration, business/academic exchanges, and mutual investment, then submit annual reports to state leaders. The commission may fund its work through donations and grants, creating a dedicated state fund for administrative expenses.

Maddy summaryHB 3440 makes it illegal to share an elected county official's or their family's personal information (like home addresses, Social Security numbers, or children's names) online or otherwise, if the intent is to harass, intimidate, or influence the official's work. It classifies this as a class A misdemeanor, but becomes a class B felony if the act causes death or injury. The law directly protects county elected officials and their families from targeted privacy violations aimed at disrupting their duties. Key provisions define "personal information" broadly and establish specific penalties based on the severity of harm caused.

Maddy summaryHB 3441 designates August 12th each year as "Election Worker Appreciation Day" in Missouri. The bill encourages Missouri citizens to participate in events celebrating election workers' essential contributions to elections. It does not create new requirements or funding but formally recognizes the vital role these workers play in the state's election process. This is a ceremonial designation, not a policy change affecting specific laws or regulations.

Maddy summaryHB 2608 prohibits public officials in school districts, charter schools, and other local government entities from using public funds to support or oppose ballot measures or candidates for public office. It bans directing public money to election committees but allows officials to make public appearances or issue press releases about elections. Violating this restriction would be treated as an election violation. The bill is currently in early legislative stages (prefiled and read once) and has not yet been voted on.

Maddy summaryHB 2595 proposes allowing cities of the third classification with city manager government to impose a 5% tax on lodging charges (hotels, short-term rentals, B&Bs) paid by transient guests staying 31 days or less per quarter. The tax would require voter approval via a specific ballot question and could only fund tourism promotion, such as marketing or facility maintenance. Cities would have two options for collecting the tax: manage it internally or partner with Missouri’s state revenue director. The tax cannot take effect without voter approval and may be repealed through another voter vote.

Maddy summaryHB 2037 replaces Missouri's ethics commission financial disclosure rules. It requires local government bodies to attest by July 16th if their annual budget exceeds $1 million, and officials to submit detailed financial interest reports by December 16th. These reports must include income sources over $1,000, business ownership details (like partnerships or 10%+ stock holdings), and real estate valued at $10,000+ - all verified under penalty of perjury. The bill directly affects elected officials, appointees, and employees required to file financial disclosures under Missouri law.

Maddy summaryHB 2115 requires all elementary schools in the district to teach cursive writing, ensuring students can produce legible cursive documents by the end of fifth grade. It mandates that each student pass a teacher-created test demonstrating proficiency in both reading and writing cursive. The bill directly affects elementary students and schools, setting a specific academic benchmark for cursive skills. The Department of Elementary and Secondary Education may create rules to implement these requirements, subject to standard regulatory processes.