Rep. Burt Whaley

Maddy summaryHB 477 requires school districts to obtain written or electronic parental consent before making certain changes to a child's Individualized Education Program (IEP), such as initial placements, service removals, or changes exceeding 25% in service minutes. It mandates a standardized consent form with options for full consent, refusal, or partial consent, and requires schools to document parent signatures. The bill also establishes a 10-business-day timeline for resolving disagreements and allows parents to visit proposed programs before consenting. This bill, which would take effect July 1, 2026, is currently inactive after being dropped from the legislative calendar in May 2025.

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 1072, titled the "Missouri Prenatal Equal Protection Act," proposes to treat unborn children as legal persons from conception under Missouri law, effectively making most abortions a crime. It would criminalize actions harming a fetus (including abortion) with new penalties, require prosecution in specific counties, and eliminate duress defenses for most such offenses - except when the mother is the defendant. The only exception allows medical procedures to save the pregnant person’s life if all alternatives to save the fetus failed. This bill directly affects pregnant people in Missouri, healthcare providers, and law enforcement, as it would replace existing abortion laws with new criminal provisions. The bill is currently pending after failing a committee vote in April 2025.

Maddy summaryHB 1417, the "Missouri Prenatal Equal Protection Act," would ban abortion in Missouri except when a licensed physician performs a medical procedure to save the pregnant person's life, which accidentally results in the death of the fetus. It defines "person" to include an unborn child from fertilization, making abortion a criminal offense under existing homicide laws, and requires prosecutions to follow the same legal standards as cases involving born individuals. The bill repeals current provisions that allow abortion or "prenatal homicide," while creating limited exceptions for life-saving medical procedures. It directly affects pregnant people in Missouri and healthcare providers, prohibiting abortion except in narrowly defined medical emergencies.

Maddy summaryHB 433's title about "storage and use of gold and silver" is inaccurate - the bill is actually a Missouri income tax modification. It adjusts how Missouri calculates taxable income by adding back certain items excluded from federal taxable income, such as: 1) Federal tax refunds that created Missouri tax benefits (excluding pandemic-related refunds), 2) Interest on some government bonds, 3) Specific deductions for property purchases (2002-2003), and 4) Net operating loss carryforwards. It also subtracts certain items added back (like state tax refunds or military combat zone income) to prevent double taxation. The bill directly affects all Missouri individual income taxpayers by changing their taxable income calculation relative to federal rules.

Maddy summaryHB 650 designates February 20th each year as "John Donaldson Day" in Missouri to honor John Donaldson, a Negro Leagues pitcher and founding Kansas City Monarchs member. The bill encourages Missouri residents to participate in events commemorating his life and achievements. As a commemorative resolution, it has no binding policy effects or direct regulatory impact - it serves solely to recognize historical contributions through annual observance.

Maddy summaryHB 328 updates regulations for public mass transportation systems, including light rail and buses operated by the bi-state development agency. It prohibits carrying weapons (including firearms) on transit facilities and conveyances, with limited exceptions for law enforcement officers or unloaded rifles/shotguns in a closed container. The bill also bans alcohol consumption, smoking, littering, and obstructive behavior on transit, requiring fare payment and compliance with agency directives. These rules apply directly to all passengers and employees using public transportation services.

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 summaryThis bill reduces the percentage of tangible personal property used to calculate property taxes in Missouri over a three-year period, affecting business owners and other individuals who own taxable personal assets. Starting in 2026, the assessment rate for tangible personal property will decrease by approximately 5.56% each year, dropping from 33.33% in 2025 to 18% for 2028 and beyond. The legislation also establishes specific, lower assessment rates for certain categories of property, including agricultural items, historic vehicles, and pollution control equipment. Additionally, the bill outlines procedures for property assessment, including requirements for assessors to create assessment maintenance plans and rules for computer-assisted valuation methods.