Rep. Bill Lucas

Maddy summaryHJR 138 proposes a constitutional amendment to expand Missouri's property tax exemption for disabled veterans. It would exempt the homestead property (primary residence) of veterans certified by the VA to receive 100% disability compensation for a service-connected injury, plus their surviving spouses who continue living in that home. The amendment repeals the current constitutional provision and replaces it with specific definitions, ensuring the exemption applies to veterans meeting federal VA criteria and extends to surviving spouses under defined conditions. This change would directly affect qualifying disabled veterans and their surviving spouses in Missouri by providing property tax relief on their primary residence.

Maddy summaryHB 2327, titled the "No Shari'a Act," prohibits Missouri courts, arbitration panels, and agencies from enforcing contracts or decisions based on Shari'a law or any foreign legal system that violates constitutional rights. It voids rulings, contracts choosing foreign law, or provisions granting foreign tribunal jurisdiction if they conflict with U.S. or Missouri constitutional guarantees. The law explicitly excludes religious organizations' internal matters, voluntary corporate agreements with foreign law, and cases where federal law preempts state law. It applies to all state courts and administrative bodies but does not override existing legal precedents.

Maddy summaryHB 2471 requires dental plans to calculate and report a "dental loss ratio," which measures the percentage of premiums spent on actual patient care (not overhead). Dental plans must file annual reports by March 1st detailing this ratio, based on specific formulas that exclude administrative costs and certain fees. If a plan's ratio falls below 85%, it must issue rebates to enrollees by August 1st of the following year, calculated as the difference between premiums and patient care spending. This bill directly affects private dental plans (excluding state programs like MO HealthNet) and their enrollees, mandating transparency and rebates when plans spend too little on care.

Maddy summaryHB 1761 repeals a specific tax on pull-tab bingo cards sold by suppliers in Missouri, removing a 2% tax on gross receipts that suppliers previously paid. The bill primarily establishes new licensing requirements for businesses that manufacture or supply bingo equipment, including fingerprint checks for key personnel, annual fees (up to $1,000), and bond requirements. It also creates rules for handling delinquent payments by suppliers or manufacturers, requiring credit restrictions until debts are settled. This bill directly affects bingo equipment suppliers and manufacturers operating in Missouri, changing how they are regulated and taxed.

Maddy summaryHB 1923 restricts general public access to Missouri jails and detention facilities, requiring most visitors to obtain special permission from the facility's chief administrator. The bill specifically allows access for certain officials (like state legislators, judges, prosecutors, and county executives), their authorized assistants, and all recognized clergy for religious services. It mandates that all jails update their visitor rules by March 1, 2027, to comply with these provisions, with the state Department of Public Safety reviewing rules for consistency. The law does not change who can be incarcerated but modifies who may visit facilities.

Maddy summaryHB 2609 requires local governments (like cities or counties) to cover all costs for installing, maintaining, and operating electric vehicle (EV) charging stations at businesses when they mandate such stations. It limits requirements to no more than five stations per parking lot with over 30 spaces and exempts churches and 501(c)(3) nonprofit organizations from these rules. The bill does not prevent businesses or property owners from voluntarily paying for EV charging stations themselves. This policy directly affects local governments that adopt EV station requirements and businesses with qualifying parking lots.

Maddy summaryHB 2406 requires state agencies to notify Missouri's Joint Committee on Administrative Rules before finalizing any new rule that would cost over $250,000 annually for state agencies or significantly impact businesses or individuals financially. The bill mandates a 30-day waiting period after committee notification and requires the legislature to approve such rules via a concurrent resolution before they can take effect. This applies to most administrative rules, making them unenforceable without following these steps, though exceptions exist for rules needed for federal compliance or funding.

Maddy summaryHB 3105, titled the "Second Amendment Preservation Act," protects Missouri residents' right to possess firearms by declaring federal gun regulations within the state invalid if they exceed constitutional limits. It grants the state attorney general or county prosecutors authority to sue federal officials for infringing on these rights and requires disciplinary action for law enforcement officers who knowingly violate them. The bill also affirms Missouri's exclusive authority to regulate firearms, including maintaining the existing federal excise tax on firearms, which it states does not restrict lawful ownership.

Maddy summaryHB 3005 establishes a formal process for reviewing requests to remove or relocate library materials in public libraries and school libraries. It requires libraries to create and publicly post clear policies for reconsideration, which can only occur after a formal request from a community member (for public libraries) or a parent/guardian (for school libraries), and only after the material has been reviewed per the policy. The bill specifies that digital materials can be removed at the article or issue level without disrupting entire databases, and prohibits removal during pending reviews. It also protects library staff from retaliation for refusing to remove materials before proper review.

Maddy summaryHB 2710 requires all Missouri public schools and districts to publish standardized annual report cards showing student performance, finances, and staff data in an accessible format. It establishes a new A-F rating system based on student achievement (40% for elementary/middle schools, 25% for high schools), academic growth metrics (30% for elementary/middle, 25% for high schools), and high school "Success Ready Graduate" measures (15% for high schools). Top-performing schools in the top 5% for achievement or growth will receive $100 per student in performance-based funding starting in 2026-27, while those in the top 10% but not top 5% get $50 per student. The bill directly affects every public school, district, and charter school by linking their ratings and funding eligibility to specific student outcome metrics.