Rep. Bob Titus

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 437 sets new rules for settlement demands in personal injury, bodily injury, or wrongful death cases. It requires claimants to submit written settlement offers via certified mail that remain open for at least 90 days and include specific details like injury descriptions, policy limits, release terms, and medical/employment records with proper authorizations. If a demand meets these requirements, it counts as a "reasonable opportunity to settle" in court; otherwise, it cannot be used to challenge an insurer's handling of the claim. The bill applies to claims against liability insurers and aims to standardize settlement processes before litigation.

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 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 summaryHB 459 prohibits Missouri state and local agencies from enforcing any "red flag law" that would seize firearms from citizens without a court trial. It blocks the use of federal funds to support such enforcement and bans law enforcement from complying with federal or state orders requiring firearm seizures. The bill directly affects Missouri residents who might face such seizures and state agencies responsible for law enforcement. Violating the law could trigger $50,000 penalties per incident and allow affected citizens to sue for damages.

Maddy summaryHB 1222 would prevent SNAP (food assistance) recipients from using benefits to purchase candy and soft drinks. It defines "candy" as sugar-based products like chocolate bars and "soft drinks" as sweetened nonalcoholic beverages (excluding milk-based drinks or those with over 50% juice). The bill requires the state social services director to seek a federal waiver to exclude these items from SNAP-eligible foods, requesting annual renewals if denied. If approved, SNAP benefits could no longer cover these specific food items.

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.