Rep. Bob Titus

Maddy summaryHJR 153 proposes a constitutional amendment to change how judges are selected in Missouri courts. It would replace current election-based selection with a system where the governor appoints judges (with Senate approval) from a list of nominees recommended by a nonpartisan judicial commission. The amendment also establishes a new seven-year term for all judges, including circuit and associate circuit judges, instead of varying terms under current law. Voters in certain counties could later choose through a ballot measure whether to maintain this appointment system or revert to elections. This change would affect all judges serving in Missouri's circuit courts, associate circuit courts, and higher courts, with the proposal requiring voter approval in the 2026 election.

Maddy summaryHB 2682 renames Missouri's "Student Religious Liberties Act" to the "SPEAKS Act" and requires public schools to protect students' expression of religious, political, or ideological views. It prohibits schools from discriminating against such expression in assignments, clubs, prayer activities, or clothing - requiring grading based solely on academic standards and equal access for student groups. Schools must also provide disclaimers clarifying that student speech does not represent district endorsement. The bill explicitly preserves schools' authority to maintain order and ban unprotected speech like threats or harassment.

Maddy summaryHB 2426 establishes that parents have fundamental rights to direct their child's education, healthcare, and upbringing without government interference. It grants specific rights including choosing schools (public, private, homeschool, or faith-based), accessing educational and medical records, consenting to medical treatments (except abortions, which require parental consent), and opting children out of school data collection. The bill prohibits government restrictions unless necessary to serve a compelling interest, with explicit exceptions for life-threatening medical care and child safety. It applies to all state and local laws and allows parents to seek legal remedies if their rights are violated.

Maddy summaryHB 2668 replaces 43 existing Missouri property tax statutes with new provisions primarily governing how cities and counties can establish neighborhood improvement districts. These districts allow local governments to finance public improvements (like parks or roads) through voter-approved bonds and property assessments, requiring at least 50%+1 voter approval for creation. The bill sets limits: total project costs assessed on property cannot exceed initial estimates by more than 25%, and annual maintenance assessments must stay within 25% of projected costs. This directly affects property owners in districts where such improvements are approved and local governments creating these districts.

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 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 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 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.