Rep. Matthew Overcast

Maddy summaryHB 76 defines "female," "male," and "sex" based on biological reproductive systems (e.g., egg/sperm production) in state law. It mandates that "gender" must be interpreted as biological sex in existing state laws, rules, or guidelines - not as gender identity, expression, or role. This affects how state agencies, courts, and programs apply current laws related to sex, gender, and discrimination. The bill also clarifies that people with disorders of sex development retain ADA protections under federal law.

Maddy summaryHB 422 modifies Missouri's definition of "commercial feed" to explicitly include industrial hemp, as defined in state law. This change directly affects feed manufacturers, distributors, and the Missouri Department of Agriculture, requiring them to treat industrial hemp as commercial feed under existing regulations. The bill adds industrial hemp to the legal definition without creating new requirements, meaning it will be subject to the same labeling, distribution, and safety rules as other feed products. This adjustment clarifies regulatory oversight for industrial hemp used in animal feed within Missouri.

Maddy summaryHB 726 preempts local gun regulations by prohibiting counties, cities, and other local governments from enacting rules about firearm sales, possession, open carry, or related matters - except for specific ordinances matching state law (e.g., open carry rules with permit requirements or discharge restrictions). It requires open carry permit holders to display permits upon demand and bars officers from restraining individuals without reasonable suspicion. The bill also shields firearm manufacturers from most civil lawsuits related to lawful sales (except for negligence claims) and imposes $50,000 penalties on localities violating the law. This directly affects local governments by removing their regulatory authority over firearms and impacts manufacturers by limiting liability.

Maddy summaryHB 664 requires Missouri state agencies to obtain legislative approval before new administrative rules take effect. Specifically, agencies must submit proposed rules to the Joint Committee on Administrative Rules, which can hold hearings and suspend rules costing over $250,000 until the full General Assembly votes on them. Rules cannot become effective until the legislature approves them via a concurrent resolution, with a 30-day waiting period after committee review. This change ensures all significant agency rules undergo direct legislative scrutiny before implementation.

Maddy summaryHCR 4 designates the last full week in April each year as "Infertility Awareness Week" in Missouri. This symbolic resolution aims to raise public understanding of infertility, reduce stigma, and highlight the emotional, financial, and medical challenges faced by individuals and couples affected by infertility - impacting millions of Missourians. It does not create new laws, allocate funding, or change healthcare access; instead, it formally recognizes the week to support awareness efforts led by local and national organizations. The resolution was introduced by Representative Murray and sent to the governor for approval.

Maddy summaryHB 477 requires school districts to obtain written or electronic parental consent before making certain changes to a child's Individualized Education Program (IEP), such as initial placements, service removals, or changes exceeding 25% in service minutes. It mandates a standardized consent form with options for full consent, refusal, or partial consent, and requires schools to document parent signatures. The bill also establishes a 10-business-day timeline for resolving disagreements and allows parents to visit proposed programs before consenting. This bill, which would take effect July 1, 2026, is currently inactive after being dropped from the legislative calendar in May 2025.

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 177's title claims to provide MO HealthNet coverage for hearing aids and cochlear implants, but the provided bill text describes existing MO HealthNet coverage provisions (such as hospital services, nursing home care, and prescription drugs) rather than new hearing aid coverage. The text details current eligibility rules and payment structures under Section 208.152, including limitations on services like outpatient hospital care (capped at 80% of costs) and restrictions on abortion facility funding. No specific provisions for hearing aids or cochlear implants appear in the excerpted text. The bill's title and actual content appear inconsistent based on the provided context.

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 937 requires Missouri public schools and postsecondary institutions to treat antisemitic harassment and discrimination identically to racial discrimination under existing laws. It mandates schools to adopt the International Holocaust Remembrance Alliance’s definition of antisemitism into their codes of conduct, prohibit antisemitic behavior that creates fear or impedes access, and report incidents to a state Title VI coordinator. The bill also encourages integrating Jewish American heritage into curricula while clarifying that criticism of Israel is not antisemitic and protecting First Amendment rights. Schools must investigate complaints within 30 days and face potential federal reporting if unresolved, with annual reports submitted to the legislature.