Rep. John Hewkin

Maddy summaryHB 1041 changes Missouri's inspection and gauging fees for malt liquor barrels based on whether the product is domestically produced or imported. For tax years ending before 2026, the fee is $1.86 per barrel regardless of origin. Starting in 2026, domestic malt liquor producers will pay $0.62 per barrel, while imported malt liquor will remain at $1.86 per barrel. This bill directly affects malt liquor manufacturers, importers, and distributors who must maintain records showing the country of origin for imported products. The key change is creating a lower fee for domestic producers compared to imported products beginning in 2026.

Maddy summaryHB 121 amends Missouri law to allow parents to safely leave newborns (up to 90 days old) in hospital or maternity home newborn safety incubators, rather than requiring them to go to a specific location. The bill defines "newborn safety incubator" as a medical device for infant care and specifies that parents using this option cannot be prosecuted for abandonment. It also guarantees parents' anonymity, prohibits staff from seeking identifying information, and restricts disclosure of parent details except to specific child welfare or legal personnel. This directly affects parents considering safe surrender, hospitals, maternity homes, and pregnancy resource centers.

Maddy summaryThis bill prohibits Missouri state agencies, law enforcement, and political subdivisions from enforcing any "red flag law" that allows temporary or permanent seizure of firearms without a court hearing where the individual had a chance to be heard and a finding of probable cause for criminal activity (sections 3-5). It specifically bans the use of federal funds to enforce such laws (section 4) and creates civil penalties, including $50,000 per violation, for agencies that enforce them (section 7). The bill directly affects Missouri citizens who might be targeted by federal or state red flag laws, preventing state entities from complying with such orders. It exempts firearm seizures as evidence in criminal investigations (section 6) and states the law is an emergency measure for public safety.

Maddy summaryHJR 87 proposes amending Missouri's constitution to eliminate the state sales tax on all firearms and ammunition. If approved by voters, this would remove sales tax for anyone purchasing these items in Missouri. The amendment requires voter approval at a future election (either the November 2026 general election or a special election called by the governor). This change would directly affect gun sellers, ammunition retailers, and buyers within the state. The bill is currently pending in committee and has not yet been enacted.

Maddy summaryHB 1188 authorizes pharmacists to dispense an emergency supply of insulin without a new prescription during urgent situations. This directly affects patients who face immediate insulin shortages and pharmacists who will now have this specific authority under revised pharmacy practice laws. The key provision (added as section 338.740) allows pharmacists to provide a limited emergency supply of insulin based on the patient's existing prescription, ensuring timely access when a new prescription isn't immediately available.

Maddy summaryHB 34 requires all public school districts and charter schools to display the full text of the Ten Commandments in every classroom and school building starting January 1, 2026. The display must be at least 11x14 inches, with the text as the central focus in a large, readable font, and can be a poster or framed document. School boards may use existing funds or accept donated displays but are not required to spend money on them. The bill applies to all public K-12 schools under the jurisdiction of a school board or charter school governing board.

Maddy summaryHB 243 ensures that pregnancy cannot delay or prevent a court from granting a divorce (dissolution of marriage) or legal separation. It explicitly states that a court must proceed with the judgment regardless of whether one party is pregnant, removing pregnancy as a barrier to these proceedings. The bill affects individuals seeking divorce or legal separation who are pregnant, requiring courts to follow standard residency and procedural requirements without considering pregnancy status. This change applies to all divorce or separation cases, maintaining existing rules about residency, custody, and property division while clarifying that pregnancy alone does not block finalization.

Maddy summaryHB 810 designates a specific 2.5-mile segment of U.S. Highway 60 in Newton County (from Kodiak Road east to Cemetery Road) as the "Lloyd Memorial Highway." The bill requires the Missouri Department of Transportation to install and maintain signage for this highway, with all costs covered by private donations. This is a purely commemorative measure with no policy changes or direct impact on laws, regulations, or public services. It does not affect residents, businesses, or government operations beyond naming a highway segment.

Maddy summaryHB 236 requires commercial websites where 33% or more of content is deemed "material harmful to minors" to use reasonable age-verification methods before allowing minors access. If a website fails this, it can be sued by a minor who accessed such content, facing damages and legal fees. The law explicitly excludes news organizations and internet service providers from liability, stating they aren't responsible for content they transmit but don't create. It defines "material harmful to minors" as content appealing to prurient interests, depicting sexual acts or nudity, or lacking artistic/scientific value for minors.

Maddy summaryHB 87 updates Missouri's driving while intoxicated (DWI) penalties by creating a tiered system that increases charges based on prior offenses and incident severity. For example, a first-time DWI is a class B misdemeanor, but becomes a class A misdemeanor if a minor under 17 is in the vehicle or the driver has prior convictions; causing death with a blood alcohol level of 15-hundredths or more triggers a class A felony. The bill also requires first-time offenders to serve at least two years of probation instead of receiving a suspended sentence, unless they enroll in a court-approved treatment program in their jurisdiction. This replaces the existing DWI statute to clarify penalties and sentencing conditions.