Rep. Ed Lewis

Maddy summaryThis bill designates May 25, 2026, as "Missing Children's Day" in Missouri to raise awareness about missing children. It directly affects state officials and the public by setting aside a specific date for recognition and reflection on the issue. The legislation highlights the work of organizations like the National Center for Missing & Exploited Children and acknowledges the efforts of families and law enforcement. By officially proclaiming this day, the bill aims to honor victims and support those working to find missing children.

Maddy summaryHB 3235 modifies Missouri's education funding structure by replacing prior committee duties with a new scholarship program for public school students. It establishes eligibility criteria prioritizing students with disabilities (via IEPs), those qualifying for free/reduced lunch, military dependents, and others, with specific distribution order rules. Organizations administering scholarships must spend at least 90% of contributions on student accounts, limit administrative costs, and provide annual reports on test scores, graduation rates, and parent satisfaction. The bill also requires participating students to take state assessments and mandates transparency for state agencies tracking program outcomes.

Maddy summaryHB 2914 establishes new standards for teacher training in Missouri to improve early literacy instruction. It requires all teacher education programs to include specific evidence-based training in reading components (like phonics, fluency, and vocabulary) for educators preparing to teach kindergarten through fifth grade. The bill creates the Missouri Advisory Board for Educator Preparation (MABEP) to advise on teacher training and mandates annual reviews of programs starting in 2027 to ensure compliance. It also creates a dedicated fund to reimburse school districts for literacy-focused initiatives, including teacher training, tutoring, and evidence-based reading materials. This bill directly affects teacher preparation programs, public school educators, and elementary students statewide.

Maddy summaryHB 2992 establishes Missouri's "Fast Track Workforce Incentive Grant" program, providing state-funded grants to eligible Missouri residents for approved postsecondary education or apprenticeships. It directly affects individuals meeting specific criteria: Missouri residents aged 25+ or with no prior postsecondary enrollment for two years, with adjusted gross income under $100,000 (joint) or $50,000 (individual), and enrolled in programs targeting occupational shortages. Grants cover related educational costs like tools and books, and require recipients to maintain a 2.5 GPA for renewals while pursuing certificates, degrees, or industry credentials. The program expires after four semesters, upon earning a bachelor's degree, or reaching 200% of typical program completion time, administered by the Coordinating Board for Higher Education.

Maddy summaryHB 2271 prohibits commercial services from preparing, selling, or completing academic work (like papers, exams, or assignments) for students to submit as their own for academic credit. It directly affects students who might use such services and educational institutions (sponsors) that grant degrees, certifications, or grades. The law bans services that create or distribute "work products" for credit, including advertising or selling pre-written essays or exam answers, with exceptions for tutoring permitted by the institution. Violations can be enforced by the Missouri Attorney General or local prosecutors.

Maddy summaryHB 2272 revises Missouri's rules for issuing and revoking teaching licenses. It expands the grounds for denying a license or revoking an existing one to include specific serious crimes, such as certain sexual offenses and dangerous felonies, as listed in the bill. The bill also clarifies procedures for school districts and the state education department to file formal charges against teachers for violations, requiring written notice and specific documentation. Teachers or applicants found guilty of the specified offenses will automatically lose their license, regardless of sentencing. This directly affects current and future teachers seeking certification in Missouri.

Maddy summaryHB 2275 requires Missouri health care facilities (hospitals, long-term care facilities, and hospices) to allow at least two compassionate care visitors simultaneously for patients or residents during at least six hours of daily visiting hours, including weekends and holidays. It mandates 24-hour visitation access when appropriate, permits visitors to leave and return during visitation periods, and ensures parents/guardians can be present with minor children. The law adds penalties for facilities that violate these visitation requirements. It applies directly to health care facilities and patients/residents seeking compassionate care support.

Maddy summaryHB 2477 imposes an immediate moratorium on the construction of new solar projects in Missouri that sell electricity commercially (including permits and ongoing construction). It directly affects solar developers and companies planning large-scale solar facilities. The bill requires the Missouri Department of Natural Resources to create environmental rules for solar projects by December 31, 2027, or the moratorium continues until those rules are finalized. The moratorium ends on December 31, 2027, unless the department fails to issue the required rules. The bill includes an emergency clause citing public health and safety concerns as justification for immediate implementation.

Maddy summaryHB 2475 modifies Missouri's Renewable Energy Standard by establishing new renewable energy portfolio requirements for electric utilities. It requires utilities to generate or purchase electricity from alternative energy sources (including wind, solar, and hydropower) to meet specific annual targets: 2% by 2013, 5% by 2017, 10% by 2020, and 15% annually starting in 2021, with at least 2% coming from solar. Utilities can comply by purchasing renewable energy credits (RECs) or generating eligible energy, with Missouri-produced renewable energy counting as 1.25 times its actual amount toward compliance. The bill directly affects all electric utilities serving Missouri consumers, requiring them to meet these tiered targets for electricity sales.

Maddy summaryHB 2476 modifies Missouri's school funding rules by changing how student attendance is counted for state aid calculations and setting new financial requirements for school districts. It requires that suspended or expelled students remain counted in attendance for up to 180 days for accountability systems and weighted average daily attendance (WADA) calculations, while ensuring districts maintain accurate attendance records. School districts must now levy an operating tax of at least $1.25 per $100 property valuation (increasing to $2.75 for the 2006-07 school year and beyond) to qualify for full state aid, with exceptions for districts near nuclear power plants or large electric facilities. These changes directly affect all Missouri public school districts receiving state education funding.