Rep. David Alcos

Maddy summaryHB 575 would allow tipped employees, such as servers and bartenders, to deduct their total tips from their taxable income when filing state income taxes. This provision directly affects workers in the service industry who receive tips as part of their earnings. The bill creates a specific tax deduction, reducing the amount of income subject to state tax for these employees. It aims to lower their overall tax burden by accounting for tips as non-taxable income under the state's tax code. The bill is currently pending in the 2026 legislative session after being introduced in January 2025.

Prohibits the State and counties from adopting or ordaining any rules, regulations, or ordinances that infringe upon a parent's right to direct the upbringing, education, care, and welfare of the parent's child, except in certain narrowly tailored circumstances.

Establishes civil liability for any commercial entity that knowingly or intentionally publishes or distributes materially harmful to minors without following certain age verification requirements.

Establishes the offense of loitering on public property and adds trespassing on public property to the offense of criminal trespass in the first degree. Establishes the homeless case management program and special fund, administered by the judiciary for the benefit of persons experiencing homelessness.

Increases the category of offense for criminal trespass in the first and second degree and criminal property damage in the second, third, and fourth degree.

Requires the Department of Education to establish rules for the procurement of goods and services related to the administration of food programs at public schools that incorporate a geographic preference for unprocessed locally grown and locally raised food products.

Maddy summaryHB 291 clarifies situations where the use of deadly force in self-defense is not permitted. It removes the requirement for individuals to retreat or surrender property before using deadly force in response to an immediate threat. The bill directly affects people claiming self-defense in legal cases by simplifying the standard for when lethal force may be justified. This change aims to update the legal framework for self-protection without expanding or restricting existing rights.

Creates an offshore wind energy working group to generate a roadmap to define standards to consider in the developmental process for offshore wind energy. Requires the working group to submit a report to the legislature prior to the 2027 regular session.

Prohibits the addition of fluoride to a public water system. Preempts and voids conflicting laws, executive orders, ordinances, regulations, or rules.

Requires the department of education to prohibit cell phone use during the instructional day, prohibit student access to social media through the school's internet, and implement a social media education campaign. Creates exemptions for students requiring accommodations, emergency situations, and teacher authorizations.