Rep. Bill Hardwick

Maddy summaryHJR 115 proposes a constitutional amendment to create a property tax exemption for Missouri disabled veterans and their surviving spouses. It defines a "disabled veteran" as a Missouri resident honorably separated from military service with a 100% VA-certified service-connected disability, and a "homestead" as their primary residence (not exceeding 2.5 acres). The exemption would apply to real property used as a primary home, excluding portions rented for more than six months annually. This amendment requires voter approval in the 2026 general election and would replace the current property tax exemption provisions in Missouri's constitution.

Maddy summaryHB 2033, known as the "Missouri Save Adolescents from Experimentation (SAFE) Act," prohibits health care providers in Missouri from performing gender transition surgeries or prescribing cross-sex hormones and puberty-blocking drugs for gender transition to individuals under 18 years old. The law includes a temporary exception allowing continued treatment for minors who began such care before August 28, 2023, until March 1, 2027. Violations would be deemed unprofessional conduct, risking license revocation for providers, and could lead to civil lawsuits against them. This bill directly affects transgender and gender-diverse minors under 18 seeking medical transition care and the health care providers who treat them in Missouri.

Maddy summaryHB 3070, titled "Reestablishes the Second Amendment Preservation Act," prohibits Missouri state and local officials from enforcing specific federal firearm laws within the state, including registration requirements, ownership restrictions, and confiscation orders. The bill declares these federal actions unconstitutional and void in Missouri, based on the state's interpretation of the Second Amendment and Tenth Amendment protections. It allows citizens to sue state officials who enforce such federal laws, imposing a $50,000 civil penalty per violation and requiring courts to award attorney fees to the winning party. The law explicitly permits Missouri to accept federal aid for enforcing Missouri's own firearm laws but blocks state cooperation with federal gun control measures.

Maddy summaryHB 2559 requires state agencies to obtain legislative approval before implementing new administrative rules that would cost over $250,000 annually for government, businesses, or individuals. Agencies must notify the Joint Committee on Administrative Rules and the full legislature, which must pass a concurrent resolution approving the rule before it takes effect. Rules not approved this way become invalid, with exceptions for federal compliance or funding requirements. This directly affects state agencies creating significant-cost rules and shifts authority to the legislature for final approval.

Maddy summaryHB 2979, the "Missouri Rural Doctors Act," restricts non-compete agreements between physicians and nonprofit healthcare employers. It limits such agreements to no more than 365 days and a 5-mile geographic radius around the physician's specific clinical facility, applying only to physicians providing direct patient care. The law does not apply to agreements with research university hospitals. This directly affects rural doctors and nonprofit clinics by preventing overly broad restrictions that could limit patient access to care. The bill aims to support physician mobility in underserved areas without banning non-competes entirely.

Maddy summaryHB 1960 designates the smooth chanterelle mushroom (scientifically known as *Cantharellus lateritius*) as Missouri's official state mushroom. This symbolic bill amends state law to formally recognize the fungus as a state emblem, with no practical policy effects or direct impact on residents or regulations. The change is purely ceremonial, aligning with Missouri's tradition of designating official state symbols.

Maddy summaryHB 2294, the "Born-Alive Abortion Survivors Protection Act," requires healthcare providers at abortion facilities to provide immediate medical care and hospital transfer to any infant born alive during or after an abortion or attempted abortion. The bill mandates providers to exercise the same professional care for such infants as they would for any newborn, and failure to report violations could result in criminal penalties (up to 5 years in prison or $10,000 fine). It also establishes civil liability for causing death or failing to follow care protocols, allowing victims’ families to pursue lawsuits for injuries or wrongful death. The law directly affects healthcare providers at abortion facilities, patients who undergo abortions, and families of infants born alive during abortion procedures.

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 summaryHB 435 adds a third judicial division to Missouri's 25th Judicial Circuit, which covers Maries, Phelps, Pulaski, and Texas counties. The bill creates a new division three position, initially filled by a governor-appointed judge serving until January 1, 2029, followed by an elected judge in 2028. This change directly affects the judicial structure and caseload distribution for these four counties' courts. The bill is procedural, focusing solely on court organization without altering substantive laws or policies.

Maddy summaryHB 1562 requires owners of veteran-owned small businesses receiving loans from eligible lenders to complete an approved "boots-to-business" program. The bill mandates that participants be assigned a mentor for 365 days after loan approval, with at least quarterly meetings. This directly affects veteran business owners securing qualifying loans under existing state lending programs, modifying their post-loan requirements. The bill does not create new funding but adds a structured support requirement tied to loan disbursement.