Rep. Jamie Ray Gragg

Maddy summaryHB 2617 prohibits the manufacture, sale, and distribution of cultivated meat within the state. It defines "cultivated meat" as any edible product made by growing animal cells outside a living animal (e.g., lab-grown beef or chicken) and explicitly bans these products. The bill directly affects food producers, restaurants, and retailers planning to sell such products. Violations carry penalties: a class C misdemeanor for the first offense and a class A misdemeanor for repeat violations, with each day of violation treated as a separate offense.

Maddy summaryHB 2406 requires state agencies to notify Missouri's Joint Committee on Administrative Rules before finalizing any new rule that would cost over $250,000 annually for state agencies or significantly impact businesses or individuals financially. The bill mandates a 30-day waiting period after committee notification and requires the legislature to approve such rules via a concurrent resolution before they can take effect. This applies to most administrative rules, making them unenforceable without following these steps, though exceptions exist for rules needed for federal compliance or funding.

Maddy summaryHB 3105, titled the "Second Amendment Preservation Act," protects Missouri residents' right to possess firearms by declaring federal gun regulations within the state invalid if they exceed constitutional limits. It grants the state attorney general or county prosecutors authority to sue federal officials for infringing on these rights and requires disciplinary action for law enforcement officers who knowingly violate them. The bill also affirms Missouri's exclusive authority to regulate firearms, including maintaining the existing federal excise tax on firearms, which it states does not restrict lawful ownership.

Maddy summaryHB 2180 imposes daily late filing fees for unfiled campaign finance reports and financial interest statements. Candidates, committee treasurers, and individuals required to file financial statements face $10/day initially (increasing to $100/day after 30 days of non-compliance), with caps of $3,000 for campaign reports and $6,000 for financial statements. The executive director must send written notices via certified mail to delinquent filers, allowing a 10-day appeal window for "good cause" to waive fees. All collected fees are deposited into the state general revenue fund, in addition to any existing penalties.

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 summaryThis bill (HB 2481) corrects a misleading title: it does **not** restrict SNAP food purchases but instead requires proof of immigration status for SNAP and other public benefits. It mandates that applicants provide documentary evidence of U.S. citizenship, permanent residency, or lawful presence (e.g., driver’s license documents or federal immigration status verification) at application and during eligibility reviews. The bill requires state agencies to use the federal Systematic Alien Verification for Entitlements (SAVE) program to confirm immigration status, with temporary benefits allowed via sworn affidavit for up to 90 days or until birth certificate verification is complete. It directly affects immigrants applying for SNAP, housing assistance, or other state/local public benefits requiring immigration status verification.

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 summaryHB 3010 sets strict time limits for health insurance companies on prior authorization decisions for medical services. It requires insurers to make initial review decisions within 36 hours, provide phone notifications within 24 hours for both approvals and denials, and send written confirmation within 1-2 working days. The bill specifically extends approval validity to 12 months for chronic conditions (like cancer treatment) and prohibits billing patients for services with valid prior authorization, except for standard cost-sharing. These rules apply directly to health insurance companies, healthcare providers, and patients enrolled in health benefit plans.

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.