Rep. Justin Sparks

Maddy summaryThis resolution (HR 3110) requests the House Judiciary Committee investigate Judge Louis Angles' decision to set a $10,000 surety bond for Shanetta Bossell - a defendant deemed a danger to the public after violent incidents - before she stabbed a paramedic to death. It alleges Judge Angles acted "incompetently and negligently" by setting such a low bond, which the resolution claims contributed to further criminal activity. The request asks the committee to examine whether this bond-setting decision constitutes an impeachable offense under the Missouri Constitution.

Maddy summaryHB 664 requires Missouri state agencies to obtain legislative approval before new administrative rules take effect. Specifically, agencies must submit proposed rules to the Joint Committee on Administrative Rules, which can hold hearings and suspend rules costing over $250,000 until the full General Assembly votes on them. Rules cannot become effective until the legislature approves them via a concurrent resolution, with a 30-day waiting period after committee review. This change ensures all significant agency rules undergo direct legislative scrutiny before implementation.

Maddy summaryHB 477 requires school districts to obtain written or electronic parental consent before making certain changes to a child's Individualized Education Program (IEP), such as initial placements, service removals, or changes exceeding 25% in service minutes. It mandates a standardized consent form with options for full consent, refusal, or partial consent, and requires schools to document parent signatures. The bill also establishes a 10-business-day timeline for resolving disagreements and allows parents to visit proposed programs before consenting. This bill, which would take effect July 1, 2026, is currently inactive after being dropped from the legislative calendar in May 2025.

Maddy summaryHB 1175, titled "Reestablishes the Second Amendment Preservation Act," prohibits Missouri state officials from enforcing federal laws, regulations, or executive orders related to firearms within Missouri. It declares that federal actions restricting firearm ownership, possession, or use in Missouri are "unauthoritative, void, and of no force," and grants Missouri exclusive authority over such matters under state law. Key provisions include imposing a $50,000 civil penalty per violation on state officials who knowingly enforce federal gun laws, allowing citizens to sue for damages, and removing sovereign immunity as a defense in such cases. The bill directly affects Missouri law enforcement officers and state agencies operating within Missouri’s borders, ensuring they cannot comply with federal firearm regulations. It does not alter Missouri’s own firearm laws but asserts state authority against federal overreach in this domain.

Maddy summaryHB 1072, titled the "Missouri Prenatal Equal Protection Act," proposes to treat unborn children as legal persons from conception under Missouri law, effectively making most abortions a crime. It would criminalize actions harming a fetus (including abortion) with new penalties, require prosecution in specific counties, and eliminate duress defenses for most such offenses - except when the mother is the defendant. The only exception allows medical procedures to save the pregnant person’s life if all alternatives to save the fetus failed. This bill directly affects pregnant people in Missouri, healthcare providers, and law enforcement, as it would replace existing abortion laws with new criminal provisions. The bill is currently pending after failing a committee vote in April 2025.

Maddy summaryHB 328 updates regulations for public mass transportation systems, including light rail and buses operated by the bi-state development agency. It prohibits carrying weapons (including firearms) on transit facilities and conveyances, with limited exceptions for law enforcement officers or unloaded rifles/shotguns in a closed container. The bill also bans alcohol consumption, smoking, littering, and obstructive behavior on transit, requiring fare payment and compliance with agency directives. These rules apply directly to all passengers and employees using public transportation services.

Maddy summaryHR 47 grants permission for Crestview, LaSalle Springs, Rockwood Valley, and Wildwood Middle Schools to use the Missouri House Chamber on April 21, 2025, from 9:30 a.m. to 11:30 a.m. to present the "Glory of Missouri" Awards to their students. The resolution permits this event under specific terms: attendees must dress respectfully, avoid food/drink, and cannot hang banners, take photos on the dais, or use equipment in restricted areas. It does not change laws or policies but authorizes a one-time ceremonial use of the chamber for this recognized award program. The permission requires a representative's presence to oversee the event and maintain chamber decorum.

Maddy summaryThis bill (HR 30) grants Eureka High School, Lafayette High School, Marquette High School, and Rockwood Summit High School temporary permission to use the Missouri House Chamber on March 3, 2025, from 9:30 a.m. to 11:30 a.m. for presenting the "Glory of Missouri" Awards to students. The permission is specifically for the award ceremony, requiring participants to maintain decorum, avoid food/drinks, and follow strict rules about photography and equipment use in the Chamber. It does not create new policy but authorizes a one-time event honoring student values aligned with Missouri's historical virtues.

Maddy summaryThis bill creates a new criminal offense called contributing to social transition, which applies to teachers and school counselors who provide support to children regarding their gender identity. Under the law, anyone found guilty of this offense would be classified as a class E felony and required to register as a sexual offender. The legislation defines social transition as a child adopting a name, pronouns, or appearance that matches their gender identity rather than the sex assigned at birth. Convicted individuals would face the same registration and reporting duties as other sexual offenders, including notifying law enforcement of changes to their residence, employment, and contact information.

Maddy summaryHB 2114 proposes a new tax on the endowments of Missouri institutions of higher education that are affiliated with abortion facilities, offer abortion training residencies, or support abortion services. The bill establishes a progressive tax rate structure applied to the taxable income generated by these specific endowments, with rates increasing as income levels rise. A unique feature of the legislation is a revenue trigger mechanism that allows the top tax rate to be reduced in future years if the state collects significantly higher net general revenue than in previous years. This measure directly targets private funding sources used by certain colleges and universities involved in reproductive healthcare services.