Rep. Lisa Durnell

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 summaryHCR 29 is a Missouri legislative resolution urging the U.S. Congress to reinstate mandatory country-of-origin labeling for meat products. It specifically calls for requiring labels to show whether beef or pork was born, raised, and slaughtered in the U.S., reversing a 2015 repeal of a similar 2008 law. The resolution states this labeling would help consumers identify truly American-made meat and support U.S. farmers and ranchers by distinguishing domestic products from imported ones processed in the U.S. It does not create new law but formally expresses Missouri's support for this policy change.

Maddy summaryHB 2547 requires anyone placing a surveillance or game camera on private property to first get written consent from the landowner or their representative, or obtain a search warrant under Missouri or U.S. constitutional protections. It directly affects property owners, hunters, security personnel, and others who might use such cameras on private land. The bill also allows law enforcement to place cameras only if facing publicly accessible areas within 100 feet of the location, with approval from the top law enforcement officer. The bill passed the Missouri House with 9-1 support after public hearings.

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 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.

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 summaryHB 2033, known as the "Missouri Save Adolescents from Experimentation (SAFE) Act," prohibits health care providers in Missouri from performing gender transition surgeries or prescribing cross-sex hormones and puberty-blocking drugs for gender transition to individuals under 18 years old. The law includes a temporary exception allowing continued treatment for minors who began such care before August 28, 2023, until March 1, 2027. Violations would be deemed unprofessional conduct, risking license revocation for providers, and could lead to civil lawsuits against them. This bill directly affects transgender and gender-diverse minors under 18 seeking medical transition care and the health care providers who treat them in Missouri.

Maddy summaryHB 3256 requires most retail businesses to accept U.S. cash (Federal Reserve notes) for purchases, directly affecting stores selling goods or services. Key exceptions include fuel pumps without staff, transactions requiring credit card security deposits, prepaid card conversions meeting strict rules (no fees, no minimum deposit, receipt provided), banks/credit unions, and multi-location stores with at least one cash-accepting point. Violating the law is a class D misdemeanor punishable by up to $500 per transaction. The bill aims to ensure cash remains a viable payment option while exempting specific scenarios like automated fuel sales and financial institutions.

Maddy summaryHB 2504 allows school districts to designate teachers, administrators, or other school staff as "school protection officers" with specific requirements. To qualify, staff must complete approved training, provide valid concealed carry permits, and submit written requests to the school superintendent. The bill authorizes these officers to carry concealed firearms or self-defense sprays on school property (with strict control rules) and grants them limited authority to detain individuals, requiring immediate notification of administrators and law enforcement. School districts must hold public hearings before designating officers, notify the state safety department of all designations, and may revoke the role without appeal.

Maddy summaryHB 2176, titled the "Anti-Red Flag Gun Seizure Act," prohibits Missouri state agencies, law enforcement, and political subdivisions from enforcing any "red flag law" (including federal or state orders requiring temporary firearm seizure or confiscation). It bans the use of state or federal funds to enforce such laws and imposes a $50,000 civil penalty for violations. The bill specifically exempts firearm seizures as evidence during criminal investigations. It directly affects Missouri citizens' firearm rights and law enforcement practices by blocking enforcement of red flag laws across state and local agencies.