Photo of Ben Baker
R Missouri House · District 160

Rep. Ben Baker

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Total votes
0
all sessions
Attendance
-
of floor votes
With party
0%
of cast votes
Bipartisan score
0%
crosses aisle rarely
Sponsored
175
bills & resolutions
Committees
0
assignments
175 bills and resolutions

Sponsored bills

Total
175
Primary
79
Co-sponsor
96
This page
175
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Primary HB 742
Passed · Missouri House · Lead sponsor
Prohibits state departments from spending money on diversity, equity, and inclusion initiatives

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.

Passed Apr 23, 2025 0 co-sponsors
Primary HB 743
In committee · Missouri House · Lead sponsor
Authorizes a sales tax exemption for certain broadband equipment

Maddy summaryHB 743 exempts broadband communications service providers from paying sales tax on equipment used to build and maintain broadband networks, starting January 1, 2026. This includes items like cables, routers, antennas, modems, and related software or hardware. Providers must submit written certification to sellers to claim the exemption, and may also pay taxes directly to the revenue department. The bill directly affects internet service companies by reducing costs for essential network infrastructure.

In committee Apr 22, 2025 0 co-sponsors
Primary HB 794
Passed · Missouri House · Lead sponsor
Modifies provisions relating to elections

Maddy summaryHB 794 modifies Missouri election laws by prohibiting government election authorities from accepting funds or services for election administration from non-government sources, with limited exceptions for "de minimis" value. It requires entities providing election services to certify they have no foreign donations and submit annual, sworn certifications. Election officers must publicly disclose any membership or participation in such entities on their websites with specific formatting, including certification details and program descriptions, for at least 180 days. The bill directly affects election officers (e.g., clerks, registrars) and service-providing entities, aiming to prevent foreign influence in election administration through mandatory transparency and certification. Violations are classified as class B misdemeanors.

Passed Apr 10, 2025 0 co-sponsors
Primary HB 1197
In committee · Missouri House · Lead sponsor
Establishes immunity from civil liability for certain actions taken by private schools related to access to restrooms or changing areas

Maddy summaryHB 1197 protects private K-12 schools from civil lawsuits when they establish single-sex restrooms or changing areas based on students' sex as defined by their original birth certificate. The bill defines "sex" as male or female based on genetics/physiology at birth and specifies that schools cannot be liable for designating restrooms exclusively for males or females to ensure privacy and safety. It also prohibits local governments from banning such policies and requires them to cover schools' legal costs if they challenge the policy. This law directly affects private schools and their restroom access policies, with no provisions for emergency medical or maintenance access.

In committee Apr 8, 2025 0 co-sponsors
Primary HB 898
In committee · Missouri House · Lead sponsor
Modifies provisions relating to firearm suppressors

Maddy summaryHB 898 modifies Missouri law to exempt firearm suppressors (silencers) manufactured within the state from federal regulation. It requires "Made in Missouri" labeling on such suppressors and establishes that state entities cannot enforce federal laws regulating suppressors if those laws impose restrictions not already in Missouri law. The bill also directs the attorney general to seek federal court validation of Missouri's position on federal regulation authority. These provisions apply only to suppressors manufactured on or after August 28, 2025. The bill directly affects Missouri suppressor manufacturers and state/local government entities that would otherwise enforce federal suppressor rules.

In committee Apr 3, 2025 0 co-sponsors
Primary HB 793
In committee · Missouri House · Lead sponsor
Modifies provisions for foreign influence on ballot measures

Maddy summaryHB 793 updates rules for ballot measure petitions to prevent foreign influence. It requires petitioners to certify that no prohibited (foreign) funds were used in gathering signatures and that they will not accept contributions from such sources. The bill also mandates detailed record-keeping for all contributions and expenditures - including donor affirmations confirming they are not foreign nationals and haven't received over $100,000 from prohibited sources in the past four years. These changes apply to all committees and individuals gathering signatures for ballot measures, including requirements for segregated records and three-year retention of financial documents.

In committee Apr 2, 2025 0 co-sponsors
Primary HB 897
In committee · Missouri House · Lead sponsor
Creates provisions relating to foreign ownership of real estate

Maddy summaryHB 897 prohibits foreign governments and businesses from "foreign adversary" countries (as defined by federal regulations) from purchasing, holding, or acquiring real estate in the state. It directly affects entities like foreign-owned corporations headquartered in designated adversary nations or controlled by such governments. The bill includes three key exceptions: businesses registered for 7+ years with good standing, CFIUS-approved entities, and those with active federal national security agreements. The law specifies that "foreign adversary" refers to entities listed under 15 CFR 7.4(a), without altering existing federal definitions.

In committee Apr 1, 2025 0 co-sponsors
Primary HB 744
In committee · Missouri House · Lead sponsor
Establishes provisions governing duties and responsibilities of public entities

Maddy summaryHB 744 creates an online "Missouri Accountability Portal" requiring public entities - including school districts, public charter schools, and higher education institutions - to publicly share detailed financial data daily. This includes tracking all government spending (purchases, bonds, employee pay), debt, and revenue streams, with data updated daily and searchable by fund or amount. The bill also grants parents specific rights to access school curricula, teacher information, student records, safety incident reports, and school contracts, while mandating schools to develop policies supporting these rights by the 2026-27 school year. It directly affects school districts, public entities, and parents of students in Missouri public schools.

In committee Mar 27, 2025 0 co-sponsors
Co-sponsor HB 563
Passed · Missouri House · Co-sponsor
Establishes protections for landowners taking wildlife on the landowner's property

Maddy summaryHB 563 removes registration requirements for landowners seeking hunting permits on their own property. It requires the wildlife commission to issue permits to any landowner (resident or nonresident) owning at least five acres who requests one. The bill also allows landowners to obtain free two-day hunting permits for one nonresident immediate family member per year, with a maximum of one such permit annually. This directly affects landowners with five or more acres who hunt wildlife on their property.

Passed Mar 24, 2025 1 co-sponsor
Primary HB 696
Failed · Missouri House · Lead sponsor
Creates provisions relating to the regulation of hemp-derived consumable products

Maddy summaryHB 696, the "Missouri Hemp Consumer Protection Act," establishes regulations for hemp-derived consumable products (like edibles, beverages, and vapes containing cannabinoids such as CBD or THC under 0.3% delta-9 THC). It requires businesses (manufacturers, distributors, retailers) to obtain licenses, mandates independent lab testing for safety and potency using specific methods (HPLC/GC-MS), and prohibits sales to anyone under 21 with strict age verification. The law also defines key terms like "batch," "safe harbor products" (for export), and "independent testing laboratory" to ensure consistent standards. This directly affects hemp product businesses and consumers in Missouri by creating new compliance requirements for product safety and age-restricted sales.

Failed Mar 4, 2025 0 co-sponsors
Showing 11 to 20 of 175 bills