Rep. Ann Kelley

Maddy summaryHJR 29 proposes a constitutional amendment allowing Missouri counties and cities to increase local sales taxes with voter approval instead of requiring state legislative authorization. It would directly affect all Missouri counties and cities by giving them a new path to raise sales taxes for local purposes. The key mechanism requires local governing bodies to submit tax increase proposals to voters at general presidential elections, using a specific ballot question format, with the increase taking effect after the election. If voters reject the proposal, the local government cannot try again until the next presidential election.

Maddy summaryHB 1413 modifies Missouri's process for appointing a nonvoting teacher representative to the State Board of Education. It requires the governor, with Senate consent, to appoint an active Missouri classroom teacher with at least five years of experience in the state (and certified to teach in Missouri) who has local school board support. The appointment rotates annually by congressional district, lasts four years, and expires on August 28, 2031. The teacher representative attends all board meetings and participates in discussions but cannot vote or count toward quorum.

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 75, the "Missouri Religious Freedom Protection Act," prevents Missouri public officials from issuing orders that restrict religious services or meetings at places of worship or for religious groups. It directly affects religious organizations and places of worship by requiring public officials to allow such gatherings, unless the group is planning violence (as excluded in subsection 5). The bill explicitly states that places of worship must still comply with standard building and fire safety codes (subsection 6). This legislation focuses on ensuring religious assembly rights while maintaining public safety and regulatory compliance.

Maddy summaryHB 331 creates a state-funded program to reimburse tuition, books, and fees for short-term career certificate programs at approved schools. It directly affects eligible students who qualify for Missouri’s A+ Schools Program but haven’t used its benefits, and approved institutions like community colleges, vocational schools, and training providers offering programs such as Certified Nurse Assistant (CNA), EMT, or Commercial Driver’s License (CDL) courses. The bill establishes a dedicated "Career-Tech Certificate (CTC) Program Fund" to cover reimbursements, with limits on payments (capped at public community college rates) and rules to prevent duplicate funding for similar programs. Reimbursement ends when a student completes the program, reaches 150% of standard program time, or receives the full reimbursement amount.

Maddy summaryHB 1012 establishes Missouri's "Zero-Cost Adoption Fund" to cover adoption-related costs for residents. It creates a tax credit allowing individuals or businesses contributing cash donations (over $10,000) to the fund to claim a 100% credit against their state income tax, capped at 50% of their tax liability. The fund, financed by these contributions, directly assists adoptive families by covering nonrecurring adoption expenses and postadoption services, while also supporting adoption recruitment and foster care prevention programs. The program has annual funding limits ($25 million initially, rising to $75 million with inflation) and will sunset automatically after six years unless reauthorized.

Maddy summaryHB 195, the "Born-Alive Abortion Survivors Protection Act," requires healthcare providers in abortion settings to provide the same medical care to any child born alive during or after an abortion as they would to any other newborn, including immediate hospital transport. It mandates providers to report failures to follow these standards to law enforcement and imposes criminal penalties - up to five years in prison or $10,000 fines - for non-compliance, while classifying intentional killing of such a child as first-degree murder. The bill also establishes civil liability for causing death or failing to comply with these provisions, allowing victims’ families to seek damages for injury or death. It directly affects abortion providers, patients, and children born alive during abortion procedures, with no impact on natural miscarriages before fetal viability.

Maddy summaryHB 339 prevents public disclosure of the identities of people who file complaints against licensed child care facilities. The bill amends a law to require that when substantiated parental complaints and findings are made available to the public upon request, any information identifying the complaint filer must be removed. This directly affects parents or individuals reporting issues at child care centers by keeping their personal information confidential. The key provision is a specific requirement to redact reporter identities from public records of such complaints.

Maddy summaryHB 742 prohibits Missouri state departments from using public funds for any programs, staffing, or initiatives related to "diversity, equity, and inclusion" (or similar terms) that promote preferential treatment based on race, gender, religion, or other protected characteristics. It specifically bans funding for initiatives advancing concepts like "disparities are solely due to oppression" or "collective guilt," while allowing compliance with federal anti-discrimination laws and the Americans with Disabilities Act. The bill also prevents state departments from requiring private companies to adopt such programs as a condition of receiving state contracts. This law directly affects all state agencies and their budget allocations for workplace programs.

Maddy summaryHB 532 modifies Missouri law governing county salary commissions for non-charter counties. It establishes base salary schedules for county officials (like sheriffs, clerks, and coroners) and allows salary commissions to approve annual increases of up to $2,000 for most positions or up to $14,000 for county coroners, with all adjustments requiring equal percentage increases across all county offices. Third-class counties may also adjust salaries based on property value assessments exceeding $300 million, while maintaining equal percentage changes for all officials. The bill directly affects county salary commissions and elected county officials in non-charter counties statewide.