Rep. Wick Thomas

Maddy summaryThis bill repeals a Missouri state law (Section 260.283, RSMo) that prohibited local governments from regulating plastic or paper bags. It allows cities and counties to impose fees, bans, or taxes on these bags for the first time. The change directly affects local governments, which can now create their own bag policies, and businesses, which must follow local rules instead of the state's uniform requirement. This removes a statewide restriction, enabling communities to address plastic waste through local decision-making.

Maddy summaryHB 3193 phases out single-use plastic products at Missouri State Parks and Historic Sites by requiring park concessionaires (like food vendors and shops) to stop selling specific items by 2028. Beginning January 1, 2028, vendors cannot sell single-use plastic bags, bottled water, or polystyrene foam containers (such as cups and food trays), though medical packaging and emergency use are exempt. The bill mandates concession contracts to prioritize non-plastic alternatives starting in 2027, provided they meet health and safety standards. It explicitly excludes items like produce bags, prescription containers, and medical packaging from the ban.

Maddy summaryHB 2830 proposes increasing a user fee collected by Missouri recorders of deeds from $3 to $9 per recorded property document. This fee change directly affects property owners and real estate professionals who must pay the fee when recording deeds, mortgages, or other land-related documents. The additional $6 per transaction (making the total $9) would be sent to the Missouri Housing Trust Fund, specifically designated for housing-related programs under Section 215.034. The bill does not alter other fee components, such as the $2 retained by recorders for office operations or the $1 allocated to land survey and local records funds.

Maddy summaryHCR 28 designates the last full week in April each year as "Infertility Awareness Week" to increase public understanding of infertility. The resolution directly affects individuals and couples experiencing infertility, which impacts roughly 1 in 6 U.S. couples, by reducing stigma and promoting awareness. It does not create new programs or change funding but formally recognizes this week annually to encourage support and highlight access to care.

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 summaryHR 4062 grants permission for 14 Kansas City schools to use the Missouri House Chamber on April 17, 2026, from 10:30 a.m. to 1:00 p.m., to present the "Glory of Missouri" Awards to students. The bill specifically authorizes schools including Guadalupe Center, Frontier School of Innovation, and KIPP KC Legacy High School to hold this event in the Chamber. It includes strict rules for the event, such as prohibiting food, photos, banners, or equipment use in the Chamber and requiring a sponsor (Rep. Wick Thomas or designee) to oversee conduct. This is a one-time procedural resolution for a specific event, not a policy change.

Maddy summaryHCR 2 is a non-binding resolution (not a law) passed by Missouri's legislature. It declares Missouri's support for fair redistricting and urges all states to adopt redistricting commissions to prevent partisan gerrymandering. The resolution specifically calls for states to conduct mid-decade redistricting in 2025 to counter election manipulation and asks Congress to establish federal standards for fair representation before the 2030 census. It does not change Missouri's current redistricting process but advocates for national action to ensure voting power is not diluted. This resolution directly affects all U.S. states and Congress, though it has no legal force.

Maddy summaryHB 1091 prohibits licensed mental health professionals in Missouri from providing conversion therapy to minors. The bill adds this practice as a specific reason for the state licensing board to refuse or revoke a professional's license. Conversion therapy is defined as any treatment seeking to change a minor's sexual orientation or gender identity. This law directly affects psychologists, counselors, and other licensed mental health providers who work with minors in Missouri. The policy change takes effect by amending state licensing regulations to explicitly ban this practice.

Maddy summaryHB 429 requires all public middle, high, and charter schools in the state to provide free tampons and sanitary napkins (referred to as "period products") in school restrooms starting July 2026, with costs covered by state funds. It also repeals a previous law that prohibited abortion service providers from offering human sexuality or sexually transmitted disease education in schools. The bill does not change existing requirements for human sexuality education content, which must still include medically accurate information on abstinence, contraception, emotional consequences, and safety. This directly affects students in participating schools and removes a barrier for abortion service providers to potentially contribute to such curricula.

Maddy summaryThe bill title claims to "repeal provisions relating to gender transition procedures," but the provided text describes standard Medicaid (MO HealthNet) coverage rules for hospital care, outpatient services, nursing home care, and other health benefits - **with no mention of gender transition procedures or related provisions**. The text outlines specific coverage limits (e.g., 80% of costs for outpatient services, restrictions on abortion facilities) and eligibility criteria for Missouri's Medicaid program, consistent with typical state Medicaid statutes. Since the bill text does not address gender transition care or repeal such provisions, **the context provided does not support the title's claim**, making an accurate summary impossible. The bill appears to be a routine Medicaid benefits update, not a targeted repeal of gender-affirming care.