Rep. Bishop Davidson

Maddy summaryHB 31 modifies rules for home schools and Family Paced Education (FPE) schools in the state. It defines both types of schools with specific enrollment limits (no more than four unrelated children), requires parents to maintain records of instruction (including a plan book, academic samples, and progress evaluations), and mandates at least 1,000 hours of instruction annually (600 hours in core academic subjects). The bill exempts students aged 16+ from some record-keeping and instructional hour requirements. Enforcement of these rules is limited to local prosecutors reviewing cases only with probable cause, preventing school districts from initiating investigations.

Maddy summaryHB 33 creates a statewide program to boost STEM career awareness for Missouri students in grades 9-12, starting in the 2026-27 school year. The program requires schools to connect students with STEM-related activities and competitions through teacher-led initiatives, with providers selected based on data showing improved STEM instruction, college enrollment, or workforce entry. Funding comes from a dedicated "STEM Career Awareness Activity Fund" for program administration. The bill directly affects high school students, teachers, and STEM program providers, focusing on practical career pathways rather than broad policy changes.

Maddy summaryHB 950 allows U.S. citizens without Social Security numbers to apply for non-REAL ID-compliant driver's licenses or nondriver's licenses by submitting a sworn affidavit affirming their citizenship instead of providing a Social Security number. This change directly affects eligible citizens who lack SSNs, such as some elderly residents or individuals who never obtained one. The bill eliminates the Social Security number requirement specifically for non-REAL ID licenses, while REAL ID-compliant licenses still require SSN verification. It does not alter other application requirements or the standard process for obtaining licenses.

Maddy summaryHB 953 establishes a Joint Committee on the Justice System to review Missouri's criminal justice system, including criminal laws, law enforcement, correctional institutions, and expungement procedures. The committee must file annual reports, create a subcommittee to revise the criminal code every decade, and form an advisory committee to study expungement processes, with a final report due by 2026. This procedural bill affects legislative oversight of justice system operations and sets a framework for future policy recommendations.

Maddy summaryHB 32 lowers the age requirement for enrollment in adult high schools from 21 to 18 years old, directly affecting adults aged 18 or older without a high school diploma. The bill establishes new adult high schools that must offer high school diplomas alongside industry certification programs, childcare for students, and flexible learning options (including limited online instruction). It requires nonprofit organizations to meet specific criteria, such as partnerships with colleges and plans to address local workforce needs, while ensuring diplomas are equivalent to traditional high school credentials with no distinguishing marks. The legislation also adjusts admission preferences to prioritize students receiving income-based assistance and clarifies how student transfers affect school dropout rate reporting.

Maddy summaryHB 576 regulates "earned wage access services," which allow workers to access earned but unpaid wages early from employers. It requires companies offering these services to register with Missouri's Division of Finance ($1,000 annual fee), disclose all fees clearly to users, and follow strict rules when collecting repayment (including reimbursing bank fees caused by their actions). The bill directly affects workers using these services and the businesses providing them, while exempting banks, credit unions, and lenders already regulated under existing laws. Key provisions include mandatory fee transparency, consumer complaint procedures, and prohibitions on tying service access to voluntary tips.

Maddy summaryHJR 1 proposes a constitutional amendment to establish strict spending limits for Missouri's state government. It requires that annual spending not exceed a baseline amount (based on prior year appropriations) adjusted by the state's population growth rate (e.g., 100% of prior spending for population decline, 101% for small growth). It creates a "Tax Reform Fund" within the state treasury to cover budget shortfalls only when spending limits are triggered, using revenues from specific tax changes. The amendment also mandates a two-thirds legislative vote to temporarily exceed the spending limit, with the exception lasting no more than 12 months. This directly affects state budgeting decisions and future tax policy implementation.

Maddy summaryHB 100 temporarily lowers Missouri's top income tax rate to 4.95% for tax years 2023-2025, then sets a permanent 4% rate starting January 1, 2026. It allows for future rate reductions (down to 0.1% per year) if state revenue exceeds prior years by specific dollar thresholds. The bill affects all Missouri residents who pay state income tax by modifying how income is taxed across different brackets. The legislation is currently pending in committee after being postponed for further review in February 2025.

Maddy summaryThis bill grants permission for the Missouri Governor's Student Leadership Forum to hold an event in the House Chamber on February 16, 2024, between 1 p.m. and 4 p.m. The resolution requires a designated representative to supervise the group and mandates that participants maintain respectful behavior and appropriate attire while prohibiting food, drinks, and smoking in the chamber. Additionally, the bill restricts access to the dais, bans the hanging of banners or use of electronic equipment, and forbids taking group photographs within the room.

Maddy summaryThis bill proposes an amendment to the Missouri Constitution that would change how citizens can suggest changes to the state's governing document. It requires initiative petitions to be signed by seven percent of registered voters in each of two-thirds of the congressional districts, rather than using a single statewide number. The measure also clarifies that only U.S. citizens who are properly registered to vote in Missouri can sign these petitions. Additionally, the bill sets specific rules for how proposed amendments must be published in newspapers and states that initiative measures would take effect immediately if approved by a majority of all registered voters, not just those who cast ballots.