Maddy summaryThis bill establishes strict time limits for Missouri circuit courts to issue written orders, judgments, and set hearing or trial dates. It requires courts to enter written decisions within thirty days of a matter being fully briefed or heard, with possible extensions up to ninety days, and mandates that all cases be assigned to specific tracks with fixed deadlines for final resolution based on the type of case. The legislation creates a system where judges can be fined one hundred dollars per day for failing to meet these timelines, with funds directed to the state's public school fund, and allows for disciplinary action including suspension or removal for willful neglect. Additionally, it empowers the Missouri Supreme Court to set administrative rules for case processing and permits any party or interested member of the public to report judges who do not comply with these new time standards.
Sponsored bills
Maddy summaryThis bill creates a "Restaurant Meals Program" within the state's Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program, allowing specific groups to use their benefits at participating restaurants instead of just for grocery purchases. It directly affects households with elderly or disabled members, their spouses, and homeless individuals by giving them the option to redeem their benefits at private establishments that contract with the department to offer meals at reduced prices. The program operates under federal guidelines that require these restaurants to provide food at concessional prices to eligible participants.
Maddy summaryThis bill establishes a new medical alert system in Missouri designed to help locate missing individuals who are believed to be in danger due to urgent medical needs. The Department of Public Safety would coordinate this network by working with local law enforcement, state agencies, and volunteer media broadcasters to quickly share information about these cases. Participation by local police departments and radio or television stations remains voluntary, though agencies that do not join must still notify the state department and media when a report is made. The legislation also includes a penalty for anyone who knowingly files a false report that triggers an alert under this system.
Maddy summaryThis bill authorizes the Missouri Department of Transportation to partner with private internet companies to expand its existing fiber network, specifically targeting areas that currently lack or have limited access to high-speed internet. To select these partners, the department must use a competitive bidding process and publish requests for proposals in local newspapers and national technology publications. The legislation requires that at least 25% of the workforce on these projects belong to a racial minority group and allows private partners to offer internet services using any unused fiber capacity, provided the service meets state minimum standards.
Maddy summaryThis bill establishes the "Missing and Murdered African American Women Task Force" to investigate violence against African American women and girls in Missouri. The task force will be composed of legislators, law enforcement officials, legal experts, and community advocates who will meet to study the root causes of this violence and how current systems handle these cases. Members of the group will examine issues such as policing practices, data collection methods, and support services, then submit annual reports to state leaders by December 31st. The task force is set to operate without pay for its members and will exist until December 31, 2026, unless it is extended.
Maddy summaryThis bill proposes a constitutional amendment to strengthen gun rights in Missouri by explicitly protecting the right to own firearms for self-defense and civil duty, requiring courts to use strict scrutiny when reviewing any restrictions. It clarifies that these rights cannot be denied to convicted violent felons or individuals deemed dangerous due to mental health issues, while still allowing local governments in counties, St. Louis, and Kansas City to regulate firearm possession and carry through local ordinances. Local regulations must limit permit fees to actual costs, ensure permits are valid for no more than five years, and recognize out-of-state permits, while also exempting law enforcement, judges, and licensed security guards from local rules. Penalties for violating local gun laws would be capped at a $1,000 fine or one year in jail, and local authorities could seize firearms from individuals legally barred from owning them.