Rep. Ed Lewis

Maddy summaryThis bill updates Missouri's fertilizer and clean water laws by replacing two existing sections with new rules focused on industrial wastewater and sewage infrastructure. It requires the state commission to create regulations for treating industrial waste before it reaches water sources and mandates specific nutrient management standards for land application, excluding concentrated animal feeding operations. Additionally, the legislation clarifies when operating and construction permits are necessary for discharging contaminants or modifying sewage systems, while listing specific small-scale sewer projects that do not require a permit.

Maddy summaryHB 2092 modifies the state's Teacher Recruitment and Retention Scholarship Program to provide financial aid to eligible students pursuing teacher education at Missouri four-year colleges. To qualify, applicants must maintain a minimum grade point average of 2.5, complete specific credit hours at a community college or university, and commit to teaching in hard-to-staff schools or subject areas for two years for every year of scholarship received. The bill establishes a funding schedule that gradually increases the number of available scholarships from 200 to 600 annually, with a maximum annual budget cap of $3.4 million. If recipients fail to meet their teaching service obligation, the unpaid scholarship amount converts into a loan with interest that accrues until the debt is repaid.

Maddy summaryThis bill establishes the Missouri Course Access and Virtual School Program to provide non-classroom instruction to eligible students from kindergarten through twelfth grade who reside in the state. It requires the program to report specific student data to local school districts and ensures that districts hosting virtual students receive state funding based on a weighted average daily attendance formula. Additionally, the bill allows public and charter schools to enroll students in virtual courses if they determine it is in the student's best educational interest, while mandating that districts pay content providers directly for approved courses. The legislation also sets rules for how virtual school performance counts in statewide assessments and prevents recent transfers from virtual schools from negatively impacting a new school's annual performance score for one year.

Maddy summaryHB 1402 permits members of the general assembly and other elected officials to hang state and national flags outside their office doors. This change authorizes the capitol building to manage the display of these flags beyond the interior of the offices. The bill applies specifically to elected officials and does not alter other flag-related policies.

Maddy summaryHB 1821 modifies the rules for obtaining permits to build and operate solid waste processing facilities and disposal areas in Missouri. The bill requires applicants to complete specific steps before getting a permit, including requesting a preliminary site investigation, conducting public awareness and community involvement sessions, and submitting detailed geologic and hydrologic studies. It also mandates that applicants provide proof of financial responsibility and secure an irrevocable financial assurance instrument to cover post-closure care costs. Additionally, the legislation clarifies that existing facilities authorized before a certain date are considered permitted and exempts certain wastewater treatment facilities from needing new solid waste permits.

Maddy summaryHB 1450 reorganizes and updates Missouri laws to strengthen protections for children and vulnerable individuals by modernizing statutes related to computer crimes and sexually oriented businesses. The bill establishes a regional computer forensics lab to help investigate electronic-based offenses such as child sexual abuse material and consumer fraud. It also clarifies definitions for terms like "sexually oriented business" and "nudity" while setting specific time limits on when individuals convicted of certain crimes can operate in such establishments. Additionally, the legislation outlines grounds for disciplining or revoking teaching certificates if educators are convicted of felonies or crimes involving moral turpitude.

Maddy summaryHB 2724 would limit the fees that organizations can charge when they act as intermediaries distributing state funds to community programs for human services. The bill specifically targets groups that contract with the departments of social services and elementary and secondary education to manage these partnerships. Under the new rules, an organization could charge no more than five percent in fees if the total funds received are under one million dollars, or no more than three percent if the amount is one million dollars or more. This legislation aims to cap administrative costs while ensuring that the majority of public money goes directly to the intended community programs.

Maddy summaryThis bill proposes changes to how Missouri citizens propose laws and amend the state constitution through the initiative petition process. It would require petitions to be signed by a specific percentage of registered voters in two-thirds of the state's congressional districts and mandate a public review period before measures appear on the ballot. The legislation also introduces restrictions to prevent foreign governments or political parties from sponsoring or funding these petitions and limits the ability of the General Assembly to repeal or amend laws approved by voters. Additionally, it sets new voting thresholds for constitutional amendments, requiring approval by a majority of voters statewide and in a majority of congressional districts.