Rep. John Simmons

Maddy summaryHJR 11 proposes a constitutional amendment to change Missouri's rules for approving state constitutional amendments. It would require voters to be U.S. citizens and Missouri residents to vote on amendments, ban foreign governments or political parties from funding or influencing amendment campaigns, and mandate public review of initiative petitions 15 days before they appear on ballots. Amendments would need approval by a majority of votes statewide and in a majority of Missouri's congressional districts to take effect. The bill replaces existing sections of the constitution with these new requirements for how amendments are proposed, funded, and approved.

Maddy summaryHJR 85 proposes a constitutional amendment requiring that future constitutional amendments in Missouri must receive majority approval in 75% of the state's counties to pass. Currently, constitutional amendments only need a statewide majority vote. This change would require broader geographic support, making it harder for amendments to pass by mandating majority votes in three-fourths of all counties. The bill directly affects all future constitutional measures submitted to voters, not regular statutory laws.

Maddy summaryHB 1083 creates a new joint committee to review state government operations for efficiency, composed of appointed members from both the Senate and House. The committee will examine state rules, agency budgets (including potential staff reductions), unused property, and social services systems to recommend cost-saving changes. Annual reports must be submitted by December 1st, with specific recommendations - like eliminating government jobs or selling property - automatically taking effect unless blocked by the legislature or governor. Savings from these recommendations will fund the Missouri Works program through a dedicated "Government Efficiency Fund."

Maddy summaryHB 1024 prohibits Missouri public schools and colleges from using state funding for any diversity, equity, and inclusion (DEI) programs, including training, curriculum, or student groups. It requires institutions that violate this rule to repay all state funds used for DEI activities, lose all state funding for that fiscal year, and face withheld future funding until compliance is confirmed. The bill establishes a complaint process for residents or employees to report violations and mandates an annual enforcement report detailing violations and recovered funds. This bill directly affects all public K-12 schools and state-funded colleges in Missouri by restricting how state education dollars can be spent.

Maddy summaryHJR 47 proposes a constitutional amendment that would restrict reproductive health care in Missouri if approved by voters. It limits abortions to cases of medical emergencies, fetal anomalies, rape, or incest (with a 20-week gestational limit for rape/incest cases requiring a police report), bans public funding for abortions except in those cases, and prohibits gender transition surgeries, cross-sex hormones, and puberty-blocking drugs for minors (with medical exceptions). The amendment also clarifies that reproductive freedom does not exempt providers from liability for medical malpractice. This would directly affect all Missourians, healthcare providers, and public funding for reproductive services. The proposal requires voter approval in 2026 to become part of the state constitution.

Maddy summaryHB 198 corrects a mislabeled title - this bill modifies Missouri's income tax calculation rules, not tip taxation. It adjusts taxpayers' federal adjusted gross income (AGI) to determine Missouri taxable income by adding specific federal tax benefits (like refunds from pandemic-related credits) and subtracting certain exclusions (like interest on U.S. bonds). Key provisions include adding back federal tax refunds that created Missouri tax savings and adjusting depreciation deductions for property purchased in 2002-2003. This directly affects Missouri taxpayers who claimed federal tax benefits impacting their state tax liability, such as pandemic relief refunds or property tax deductions. The changes ensure Missouri tax calculations align with federal adjustments while excluding certain pandemic-related credits.

Maddy summaryHB 319 requires Missouri state agencies to repeal at least two existing rules before enacting a new one. This applies to departments, commissions, and boards proposing new regulations. The bill also specifies that rules lacking statutory authority, conflicting with state law, or being unreasonably burdensome are invalid. It replaces Missouri Revised Statute § 536.014 with these new requirements.

Maddy summaryHJR 80 changes how constitutional amendments are proposed and approved in Missouri. It requires initiative petitions for constitutional changes to collect signatures from 8% of voters in two-thirds of congressional districts (plus other thresholds), bans foreign governments or agents from funding or sponsoring initiatives, and mandates that constitutional amendments must win majority votes statewide *and* in a majority of counties to pass. These rules directly affect citizens proposing changes, the Secretary of State (who administers petitions), and the legislature (which faces a two-year waiting period before repealing laws passed via initiative). The bill modifies procedural requirements for constitutional amendments, not regular laws.

Maddy summaryHB 683 designates March 16th of each year as "Election Judges and Poll Workers Appreciation Day" in Missouri. The bill encourages citizens to participate in events thanking election judges and poll workers who support election operations. It has no funding requirements or new regulations - it is a symbolic recognition measure. The bill is currently pending in the House Committee on Emerging Issues.

Maddy summaryHJR 55 proposes a constitutional amendment that would change how Missouri voters approve constitutional amendments. It requires that any constitutional amendment must receive a majority of votes cast statewide *and* a majority of votes cast in a majority of the state's counties to take effect. This would make it harder to pass constitutional changes by adding a county-level approval requirement beyond the current statewide majority. The bill directly affects voters who participate in elections on constitutional amendments and the process for amending Missouri's constitution.