Rep. Hardy Billington

Maddy summaryHB 1398 requires all Missouri public schools funded with public money to display the U.S. flag prominently during school hours and ensures the Pledge of Allegiance is recited daily in at least one class per student, while explicitly stating no student may be forced to participate. The bill permits classroom display of only four specific flags: the U.S. flag, Missouri state flag, POW/MIA flag, or the school's own flag, banning all other flags. This directly affects every public school in Missouri receiving state or local funding. The law mandates these specific display requirements and recitation practices without adding new penalties or exemptions.

Maddy summaryHB 41 proposes to reduce the time limit for filing certain lawsuits in civil court. It would shorten the statute of limitations for common claims like breach of contract, property damage, and personal injury (excluding fraud, which retains a 10-year discovery rule). This change would directly affect individuals and businesses seeking legal remedies for these issues by giving them less time to file a lawsuit. The bill is currently in committee review (referred to Emerging Issues) and has not yet been enacted.

Maddy summaryHB 1129 requires law enforcement officers to document a driver's immigration status, race (including Hispanic, Native American, or Asian descent), and the reason for every traffic stop, along with details about searches, citations, or arrests. Law enforcement agencies must compile this data annually, submit reports to the attorney general by March 1st, and include statistics comparing stops by minority groups to their share of the state population. The attorney general must analyze the data and report findings to the governor and legislature by June 1st, while agencies must adopt policies prohibiting race-based stops and provide officer training on cultural sensitivity. Noncompliance risks loss of state funding, and the bill exempts sobriety checkpoints from these reporting requirements.

Maddy summaryHB 1239 requires local governments, schools, and public institutions to disclose and obtain authorization before accepting foreign gifts or entering contracts with entities from designated "countries of concern" (including China, Russia, Iran, and others). It applies to cities, counties, school districts, and public colleges, mandating they report all foreign gifts (like grants or endowments) and contracts to state officials before proceeding. The bill defines "foreign gifts" broadly to include pledges, awards, and conditional donations, and lists specific countries triggering the disclosure rules. Political subdivisions must secure approval from state authorities before entering agreements with foreign governments or entities deemed high-risk.

Maddy summaryHB 38 requires public schools to obtain written parental permission before staff or contractors can use pronouns that differ from a student's biological sex (defined as the sex listed on their original birth certificate). It also allows school employees or contractors to refuse using such pronouns if it conflicts with their religious or moral beliefs. Schools must adopt policies aligning with these requirements, directly affecting students under 18, school staff, and parents. The bill does not address pronouns used outside school contexts or during discussions of public concerns.

Maddy summaryHB 1243 establishes legal capacity for emancipated minors, allowing them to independently handle key life matters. It directly affects minors who are legally emancipated, granting them the right to contract for housing, employment, education, medical care (including mental health services), and access shelters or support services for domestic violence, sexual assault, or homelessness. The bill specifies that emancipated minors can also legally sue or be sued in court and receive services like counseling or financial assistance as victims. This changes their legal status to enable full participation in these essential areas without requiring a guardian's involvement.

Maddy summaryHB 1496 establishes an intermediate driver's license for minors under 18, requiring specific qualifications like 40 hours of supervised driving and a six-month temporary permit. It imposes restrictions including no nighttime driving (1 a.m.-5 a.m.) without a supervising adult (except for school, work, or emergencies), passenger limits (initially one under-19 passenger, then three), and mandatory seatbelt use. The bill also outlines pathways to full licensing at age 18 and penalties for violations, such as requiring driver improvement programs for accumulating six points. While the title references married minors, the bill's content primarily modifies driver's license rules, with marriage listed as one method to qualify as an "emancipated minor" for licensing purposes. The bill does not directly alter marriage laws but uses marriage as a factor in determining eligibility for the intermediate license.

Maddy summaryHB 34 requires all public school districts and charter schools to display the full text of the Ten Commandments in every classroom and school building starting January 1, 2026. The display must be at least 11x14 inches, with the text as the central focus in a large, readable font, and can be a poster or framed document. School boards may use existing funds or accept donated displays but are not required to spend money on them. The bill applies to all public K-12 schools under the jurisdiction of a school board or charter school governing board.

Maddy summaryHB 1349 allows members of the general assembly and other elected officials to display the state flag, national flag, and POW/MIA flag outside their office doors at the capitol building. The bill amends section 8.009 to explicitly permit these flag displays in designated areas. It directly affects elected state officials working in capitol offices and modifies existing capitol building rules regarding flag placement. This is a procedural change with no substantive policy impact beyond standardizing flag display permissions.

Maddy summaryHB 1316 prohibits local governments (like cities or counties) from requiring landlords to register or license residential rental properties. It specifically applies to homes rented as residences, not commercial buildings, using existing legal definitions for "residential property." The bill would have prevented municipalities from imposing any registration requirements on landlords renting out single-family homes or apartments. However, the bill was dropped from the legislative calendar in May 2025 and did not become law.