Rep. Mark Meirath

Maddy summaryHJR 119 proposes a constitutional amendment to change how judges are selected in Missouri. It would require the governor to appoint judges from three nominees provided by a nonpartisan judicial commission for vacancies in the supreme court, court of appeals, and St. Louis city/Jackson County circuit courts. For other judicial circuits, voters would decide at elections whether to adopt this appointment method (instead of the current system) or maintain the existing process, with changes allowed only once every four years. The amendment must be approved by voters in 2026.

Maddy summaryHB 1667, the "Born-Alive Abortion Survivors Protection Act," requires healthcare providers at abortion facilities to provide immediate medical care to any child born alive during or after an abortion, treating them as they would any other newborn. Providers must use standard medical care to preserve the child's life and arrange hospital admission, with failure to report violations carrying criminal penalties (up to 5 years in prison or $10,000 fines). The bill also establishes civil liability for providers who fail to provide care, for actions causing death of a born-alive child, or for performing unlawful abortions, allowing lawsuits for injury or death with damages including loss of companionship. It explicitly states that consent to an abortion cannot be used as a defense in such cases.

Maddy summaryHB 2559 requires state agencies to obtain legislative approval before implementing new administrative rules that would cost over $250,000 annually for government, businesses, or individuals. Agencies must notify the Joint Committee on Administrative Rules and the full legislature, which must pass a concurrent resolution approving the rule before it takes effect. Rules not approved this way become invalid, with exceptions for federal compliance or funding requirements. This directly affects state agencies creating significant-cost rules and shifts authority to the legislature for final approval.

Maddy summaryHB 2403 creates a new "Transfer Board" to review appeals when students are affected by decisions made by statewide school sports and activity associations (like those organizing high school tournaments). The board, composed of six members appointed by legislative leaders and one by the governor, will handle appeals filed by students within 30 business days of a decision. The board must meet within five business days of receiving an appeal and issue a final ruling within 24 hours. This bill directly affects students in public schools participating in activities facilitated by these associations, ensuring a neutral, time-bound process for challenging association rulings.

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.

Maddy summaryHB 1998 prohibits Missouri public schools and colleges from using state funding for diversity, equity, and inclusion (DEI) programs. This applies to all public K-12 schools and public postsecondary institutions receiving state funds, including federal funds administered through the state. The bill requires institutions using state funds for DEI to repay those funds, lose all state funding for the current fiscal year, and face withheld future funding until compliance. It also mandates departments to monitor compliance, accept public complaints, and publish annual enforcement reports.

Maddy summaryHB 1024 prohibits Missouri public schools and colleges from using state funding for any diversity, equity, and inclusion (DEI) programs, including training, curriculum, or student groups. It requires institutions that violate this rule to repay all state funds used for DEI activities, lose all state funding for that fiscal year, and face withheld future funding until compliance is confirmed. The bill establishes a complaint process for residents or employees to report violations and mandates an annual enforcement report detailing violations and recovered funds. This bill directly affects all public K-12 schools and state-funded colleges in Missouri by restricting how state education dollars can be spent.

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 summaryHB 927 designates June as "Fathership Month" in Missouri to promote awareness of fathers' roles in children's lives and establishes the "Missouri Fathership Project" within the Department of Social Services. The bill creates a grant program to fund community organizations that hire "fathership project specialists" who help fathers rebuild relationships with children, navigate court systems, and overcome barriers to reunification. These specialists serve as direct liaisons for fathers in family court cases, developing personalized plans to address relationship breakdowns and support compliance with court-ordered case plans. The initiative directly affects fathers seeking to reconnect with children, particularly those involved in family court or child support cases, and is funded through state appropriations and dedicated grants.

Maddy summaryHB 1534 allows certain cities to acquire, build, and operate water-related projects - including dams, flood protection systems, mineral springs, and associated facilities like bathhouses and pipelines - as self-liquidating revenue projects. These projects must be funded without increasing city debt or using general/special taxes, instead relying on fees from operations. The bill directly affects eligible cities by expanding their authority to develop and manage such water infrastructure independently. It modifies existing provisions to clarify that these properties can be leased or conveyed while maintaining their non-tax-supported, revenue-generating status.