Maddy summaryHB 1571 prohibits foreign businesses and aliens from acquiring or transferring agricultural land in the state starting August 28, 2024, to prevent foreign ownership from exceeding one percent of the state's total agricultural acreage. The bill requires the Department of Agriculture to review all proposed land transfers by foreign entities and mandates that any foreign business currently holding such land must sell their interests by August 28, 2029. While the law bars new acquisitions and transfers, it explicitly allows foreign businesses to divest their land for fair market value and does not invalidate existing security interests held by lenders. Additionally, the department is tasked with compiling a list of affected foreign landholders, notifying them of the divestment deadline, and reporting any failures to comply as violations.
Sponsored bills
Maddy summaryHB 1574 establishes a new state income tax on nonresident entertainers and professional athletes who perform in Missouri for more than $300, requiring venues and payers to withhold 2% of their compensation. The bill defines these groups to include performers from out-of-state bands, comedy acts, and professional sports teams across various disciplines. Revenue generated from this tax is designated to fund specific state programs, with portions allocated to the arts council, humanities council, public libraries, and public television and radio broadcasting. The law applies to taxable years beginning on or after January 1, 1999, and remains in effect until December 31, 2030.
Maddy summaryHB 1651 defines "red flag laws" as any state or federal order that temporarily or permanently seizes firearms, accessories, or ammunition from individuals without a prior court conviction for a violent felony. The bill prohibits Missouri state agencies and local law enforcement from enforcing these orders and bars them from accepting federal funds used to enforce such measures. It also establishes civil penalties of up to $50,000 for officers who knowingly violate the law and provides a legal pathway for citizens to sue for damages or injunctive relief if their firearms are seized under these prohibited orders.
Maddy summaryThis bill prohibits state agencies and political subdivisions from entering into contracts with companies that engage in economic boycotts based on specific environmental, social, or governance criteria. The law defines an economic boycott as a commercial action taken without a standard business purpose to penalize or limit dealings with companies involved in fossil fuels, firearms, or those that fail to meet certain standards regarding emissions, workforce diversity, or access to reproductive and gender-affirming care. To comply, companies with ten or more employees seeking contracts valued at $50,000 or more must provide written verification that they are not currently engaging in such boycotts and will not do so during the contract term. The legislation allows for enforcement by the attorney general or county prosecutors and imposes a penalty of triple damages on any company that violates these requirements while under contract.
Maddy summaryThis bill establishes new rules for school districts and charter schools regarding the background checks, employment history, and sexual misconduct records of both employees and screened volunteers. It requires schools to create written policies that disclose information about former staff and volunteers to other schools, specifically mandating the release of details about substantiated sexual misconduct allegations. The legislation also mandates immediate suspension of individuals with substantiated sexual misconduct findings, provides legal immunity for staff who share this information in good faith, and holds schools financially liable if they fail to disclose such records to future employers. Additionally, the bill protects individuals who report misconduct from retaliation and requires schools to check state records before hiring or allowing service by anyone previously employed in Missouri schools.
Maddy summaryThis bill establishes new rights for parents in public and charter schools to inspect curricula, teacher names, and funding information within two business days of requesting it. It also prohibits schools from requiring nondisclosure agreements for curriculum reviews and mandates public meetings when approving school materials. Additionally, the legislation restricts the collection of student biometric data without parental consent and requires schools to notify parents of specific safety incidents involving students or staff.
Maddy summaryHB 1867 modifies Missouri tax laws to adjust how state funds are managed and how individual income taxes are calculated. The bill requires the state treasurer to keep a portion of state funds in gold or silver, known as specie, within local banks if the amount reaches one percent of total state funds. For taxpayers, the legislation changes how federal tax refunds, interest on government bonds, and certain deductions are treated when calculating Missouri income tax liability. These adjustments aim to align state tax calculations with specific federal rules while excluding certain pandemic-related financial assistance from state tax benefits.
Maddy summaryHB 2175 modifies Missouri's health care laws to restrict the use of public funds, facilities, and employees for abortions, while also prohibiting state officials from being forced to enforce federal abortion regulations. The bill allows taxpayers and the state attorney general to sue for relief if these restrictions are violated, aiming to protect religious beliefs and state sovereignty. Additionally, it updates coverage rules for the MO HealthNet program, which provides health benefits to low-income residents, by specifying which services are covered and explicitly barring payments to abortion facilities or their affiliates.
Maddy summaryHB 2318 prohibits non-U.S. citizens, non-residents, and foreign corporations from buying or acquiring commercial real estate and agricultural land in the state starting August 28, 2024. The bill allows those who already owned such property before that date to keep it but bans them from selling or transferring it to other foreign entities. Additionally, the law forbids any foreign business from purchasing agricultural land if the total amount of foreign-owned farmland in the state exceeds one percent of the total acreage. The legislation also requires that any proposed transfer of agricultural land held by a foreign business be reviewed by the state Department of Agriculture to ensure compliance with these ownership limits.
Maddy summaryThis bill updates the rules for when individuals are legally allowed to use physical force in self-defense. It clarifies that a person can use force if they reasonably believe it is necessary to protect themselves or others from unlawful harm, with specific exceptions for initial aggressors and those committing felonies. The law also establishes a "no duty to retreat" rule in homes, vehicles, and private property, meaning people do not have to flee before using force. Additionally, it creates a legal presumption that a person's belief in the need for defense was reasonable and sets a higher burden of proof for prosecutors to overcome self-defense claims.