Rep. Burt Whaley

Maddy summaryHJR 124 proposes a constitutional amendment requiring Missouri counties to elect sheriffs every four years by majority vote of county voters, with specific exceptions for certain cities and large-county scenarios. It defines the sheriff as the chief law enforcement officer with duties including apprehending felons, attending court sessions, executing court processes, and maintaining public order. The amendment also restricts removal of sheriffs to a writ of quo warranto initiated by the attorney general, barring other removal methods. This would directly affect all Missouri counties (except those with specific charters or population thresholds) by changing how sheriffs are elected and their core responsibilities under state law.

Maddy summaryHB 1651 designates Dexter, Missouri as the official "Rib City" of the state for tourism promotion purposes. This symbolic designation has no substantive policy changes or financial impact - it simply assigns a promotional title to Dexter to highlight its barbecue culture. The bill directly affects Dexter's local identity and tourism marketing efforts, with no other provisions or requirements. As a procedural resolution, it focuses solely on naming, not legislative action.

Maddy summaryHB 1663 requires schools to restrict athletic participation to students competing in sports designated for their biological sex, as documented on their birth certificate or another government record. It prohibits schools from allowing students to compete in sports designated for the opposite biological sex unless no equivalent sport is available for the student's assigned sex. The bill defines "biological sex" based on reproductive biology at birth and specifies that birth certificate documentation must reflect the sex assigned at birth or correct a clerical error. Violations could result in loss of state funding, and affected students or parents may seek legal remedies. The law expires in 2027.

Maddy summaryHB 1756 designates the first week of June each year as "June's Week" in Missouri to honor June, a Missouri child with a rare pediatric cancer (ATRT-B), and to raise public awareness about rare pediatric diseases. The bill encourages Missourians to participate in events that promote early symptom recognition and support families affected by these conditions. It is a symbolic observance with no new funding or regulatory changes, solely focused on commemoration and awareness. This is a procedural resolution, not a substantive policy bill.

Maddy summaryHB 1758 would permanently adopt daylight saving time as Missouri's standard time, eliminating seasonal clock changes. The bill exempts Missouri from federal daylight saving rules and requires the state to stop observing spring/fall clock shifts after one final transition. It also states Missouri would align with any federal standard if the government later adopts year-round daylight saving. This change directly affects all residents and businesses across Missouri by making daylight saving time the permanent time standard.

Maddy summaryHJR 154 proposes a constitutional amendment requiring work requirements for Missouri's MO HealthNet program (state Medicaid) for certain adults. It would affect individuals aged 19-65 who qualify under federal Medicaid rules (income at or below 133% of the federal poverty level), are not pregnant, disabled, or enrolled in other federal health programs. The bill mandates documentary proof of work compliance at application and monthly to maintain coverage, prohibits self-attestation, and requires state plan changes to implement this by 2027. It does not change income eligibility thresholds but adds a new administrative requirement for this specific group.

Maddy summaryHB 2139 would invalidate court rulings, contracts, or arbitration decisions that apply Shari'a law or any foreign legal system violating U.S. or Missouri constitutional rights. It directly affects parties in legal disputes or contracts where foreign law is chosen or applied, including contracts with foreign jurisdiction clauses. Key provisions prohibit courts from enforcing such agreements and forbid transferring cases to foreign tribunals that would violate constitutional rights. Exceptions include religious organizations' internal matters, voluntary corporate agreements with foreign law, and cases where federal law overrides state law. The bill is currently in early legislative stages (prefiled, first reading) and has not been enacted.

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 summaryThis resolution (HCR 48) is a non-binding statement by Missouri's legislature urging the U.S. Congress to pass federal voter identification laws. It cites public opinion polls showing majority support for requiring photo ID to vote and references the federal SAVE Act as a model. The resolution does not change any voting laws itself but formally requests the U.S. Senate follow the House's passage of the SAVE Act. It directly affects Missouri's congressional delegation, who are asked to advocate for these federal policies.

Maddy summaryHJR 119 proposes a constitutional amendment to change how judges are selected in Missouri. It would require the governor to appoint judges from three nominees provided by a nonpartisan judicial commission for vacancies in the supreme court, court of appeals, and St. Louis city/Jackson County circuit courts. For other judicial circuits, voters would decide at elections whether to adopt this appointment method (instead of the current system) or maintain the existing process, with changes allowed only once every four years. The amendment must be approved by voters in 2026.