Rep. John Simmons

Maddy summaryHB 3218 modifies Missouri's ballot formatting and vote-counting procedures for presidential and vice-presidential elections. It requires candidates' names to appear enclosed in brackets on ballots, with votes for presidential candidates automatically counted as votes for their designated electors. The bill specifies detailed instructions for election judges to tally votes, including recording votes for electors based on the associated presidential ticket. This is a procedural change affecting ballot design and vote counting, not the method of electing the president or vice president.

Maddy summaryHB 3296 reorganizes and clarifies the legal powers of fire protection districts in Missouri. It specifically details their authority to contract, borrow funds, acquire property, and use eminent domain, while adding new rules about charging non-residents for emergency services (capped at $100 per fire call or $250 per hour). The bill also updates provisions for pension benefits for both salaried and volunteer firefighters, including eligibility criteria for dependents. These changes directly affect fire districts, their residents, and emergency service recipients within district boundaries.

Maddy summaryHB 2543 prevents state or local governments from requiring licenses for contractors performing maintenance on equipment at factories. It specifically applies to workers doing "industrial mechanical maintenance work" at manufacturing facilities, such as fixing machinery in production areas. The bill removes the need for both local licenses (issued by cities or counties) and state licenses for this specific type of work at industrial sites. This directly affects contractors hired by factories for routine equipment upkeep, streamlining their ability to work without additional licensing.

Maddy summaryHB 2264 designates March 16th of each year as "Election Judges and Poll Workers Appreciation Day" in Missouri. The bill symbolically recognizes election judges and poll workers by encouraging citizens to participate in events thanking them for their role in elections. It does not create new state requirements, funding, or obligations - it is purely a ceremonial designation. The bill has no direct impact on policy or affected parties beyond this symbolic recognition.

Maddy summaryHB 2542 designates March 1st each year as "Dr. Mun Choi Day" in Missouri to honor Dr. Mun Choi, the 24th president of the University of Missouri system. The bill encourages citizens to participate in events celebrating his contributions to the university and state. This is a symbolic observance with no legal requirements or policy changes.

Maddy summaryHB 3146 updates rules for how ballot measures are summarized for voters. It limits the official summary statement to 100 words and the fiscal note summary to 50 words, requiring both to be neutral and fact-based without bias. The bill specifies that the secretary of state prepares summaries if the legislature doesn’t provide them, and the attorney general must approve the legal content. These changes apply to all statewide ballot measures, including constitutional amendments and statutory initiatives, aiming to ensure clarity and fairness in voter information.

Maddy summaryHB 2383 creates new criminal offenses targeting trespass and damage to critical infrastructure facilities, such as power plants, water treatment centers, telecom networks, pipelines, and dams. It establishes a misdemeanor charge for unauthorized entry and elevates damage to a felony, with penalties increasing based on the cost of damage or service disruption. The bill also prohibits unauthorized possession of copper, fiber-optic, or telecom materials (like cables or wires) without proper authorization, making it a felony for most individuals. These provisions directly affect trespassers, vandals, and unauthorized scrap handlers, while exempting authorized entities like utility companies and licensed recyclers. The law focuses on protecting essential infrastructure from intentional harm or theft of materials.

Maddy summaryHCR 29 is a Missouri legislative resolution urging the U.S. Congress to reinstate mandatory country-of-origin labeling for meat products. It specifically calls for requiring labels to show whether beef or pork was born, raised, and slaughtered in the U.S., reversing a 2015 repeal of a similar 2008 law. The resolution states this labeling would help consumers identify truly American-made meat and support U.S. farmers and ranchers by distinguishing domestic products from imported ones processed in the U.S. It does not create new law but formally expresses Missouri's support for this policy change.

Maddy summaryHB 1887 creates civil penalties for the unauthorized disclosure of "intimate digital depictions," which are defined as digitally altered images showing genitals, pubic areas, sexual conduct, or bodily fluids. It directly affects individuals whose intimate digital images are shared without their valid consent, including minors and those with diminished capacity. Key provisions require written consent in plain language for disclosure, allow civil lawsuits for damages (including up to $150,000 in liquidated damages), and permit court-ordered injunctions to stop further disclosure. The law excludes disclosures made in good faith to law enforcement or in legal proceedings.

Maddy summaryHJR 154 proposes a constitutional amendment requiring work requirements for Missouri's MO HealthNet program (state Medicaid) for certain adults. It would affect individuals aged 19-65 who qualify under federal Medicaid rules (income at or below 133% of the federal poverty level), are not pregnant, disabled, or enrolled in other federal health programs. The bill mandates documentary proof of work compliance at application and monthly to maintain coverage, prohibits self-attestation, and requires state plan changes to implement this by 2027. It does not change income eligibility thresholds but adds a new administrative requirement for this specific group.