Rep. Donna Baringer

Maddy summaryThis bill proposes a constitutional amendment to Missouri that would change how state legislative districts are drawn and alter the length of service for elected officials. It establishes a new independent bipartisan commission to create district maps based on strict rules regarding population equality, community preservation, and partisan fairness, rather than allowing politicians to draw their own lines. Additionally, the amendment would extend House and Senate terms from two years to four years, beginning with the 2026 election cycle. The bill directly affects Missouri voters by changing the structure of their state legislature and the process for redistricting after each census.

Maddy summaryHB 2315 proposes changes to Missouri's income tax calculation by adjusting how federal income tax rules are applied to state returns. The bill primarily affects Missouri taxpayers by adding specific federal tax items back into their income while simultaneously subtracting other federal deductions from their taxable income. Key provisions include adding back certain federal tax refunds, interest on government bonds, and business interest expenses, while subtracting amounts related to U.S. government interest, capital gains, and military combat pay. These adjustments are designed to align state tax liability with federal tax definitions, ensuring that income taxed federally is also taxed by the state under modified rules.

Maddy summaryThis bill authorizes local taxing entities, such as counties and school districts, to create programs that let eligible senior citizens reduce their property tax bills by performing volunteer work. To qualify, individuals must be at least 65 years old, live in the area for at least a year, own their home, and rely primarily on fixed income sources like Social Security or pensions. Under the program, participants would earn credits toward their tax debt at the state minimum wage rate, with a limit of $1,000 or the total tax owed per year, whichever is less. Local governments would set specific rules for how many people can join and how work hours are tracked, while participants would be treated as employees for certain legal purposes but not for income tax reporting.

Maddy summaryThis bill modifies the law regarding unlawful possession of firearms to specifically prohibit minors from having guns on public property. Under the new rules, anyone under eighteen found with a firearm in a public area would commit a crime, unless they are accompanied by an adult aged twenty-one or older or are participating in specific authorized activities like hunting or school-sanctioned events. The legislation classifies this offense as a class D felony, though it does not apply to antique firearms. This change directly affects young people and their guardians by expanding the circumstances under which firearm possession by a minor is considered illegal.

Maddy summaryThis bill creates the Missouri-Ireland Trade Commission to strengthen economic and business ties between the two regions. The commission will be made up of twelve appointed members from the state legislature, the governor's office, and the Department of Commerce, with specific rules to ensure political balance and representation from Irish-American communities. Its main duties include promoting trade and investment, organizing business and academic exchanges, and reporting its findings to state leaders annually. The commission can meet twice a year, operate without member compensation, and raise its own funds through donations and fundraising events.

Maddy summaryThis resolution asks residents of St. Louis City and St. Louis County to sign a petition urging their leaders to create a special board under the state constitution to study changes to local government. The proposed board would gather public input from both areas and recommend ways to improve collaboration between the city and county, though any final changes would require approval from voters in both jurisdictions. This measure does not alter laws directly but serves as a formal request to initiate a constitutional process for potential structural reform.

Maddy summaryThis bill proposes a constitutional amendment to Missouri that would reaffirm the right of citizens to keep and bear arms for self-defense while allowing local governments to regulate firearms. It repeals the current constitutional provision on this topic and replaces it with language that subjects restrictions on gun rights to strict scrutiny, though it explicitly excludes convicted violent felons and individuals deemed dangerous due to mental health issues from these protections. Under the amendment, counties and cities like St. Louis and Kansas City could pass their own ordinances to regulate gun possession and carrying, provided they limit permit fees to administrative costs, cap penalties at one year in jail or a $1,000 fine, and exempt law enforcement and certain other professionals. The measure would be voted on by Missouri voters in the 2024 general election.