Rep. Kem Smith

Maddy summaryHB 3500 designates St. Louis City SC as Missouri's official "Men's Soccer Team" through a symbolic change to state law. This ceremonial bill does not create new policies, funding, or regulations - it simply assigns a formal title to the professional soccer team. The legislation affects no individuals or organizations beyond granting the team this symbolic recognition. It has no practical impact on state operations, taxes, or public services. The bill is purely honorific, with no substantive policy changes.

Maddy summaryHB 3542, the "Community Safety and Law Enforcement Integrity Act," prohibits state and local law enforcement agencies from using public funds, personnel, or facilities to assist federal immigration enforcement or entering into immigration enforcement agreements with the federal government. It requires immediate termination of existing agreements and imposes civil penalties of $25,000 per violation, with funds going to public schools. The bill directly affects county sheriffs, local police departments, and state agencies by restricting their cooperation with federal immigration authorities, while also requiring ICE agents to display identification and obtain warrants for home entries during operations.

Maddy summaryHB 3543 allows Missouri counties to create a property tax exemption for disabled veterans' primary homes starting in 2027. It defines "disabled veteran" as a Missouri resident with a service-connected disability (100% disabled or compensating for unemployability) who owns and occupies their home. The exemption covers up to $32,500 or the federal maximum amount of property tax, and it extends to surviving spouses or minor children who continue living in the home. Counties must seek voter approval for a replacement sales tax to offset lost revenue before implementing the exemption.

Maddy summaryHB 3178 requires all rules and regulations governing library programs receiving state funding to comply with the First Amendment, Missouri’s free speech protections, and anti-discrimination laws. This applies directly to every public library in Missouri that receives state financial support. Existing rules must be reviewed for compliance by August 2028, and new rules must meet these standards from the start. The law ensures library policies align with constitutional free speech and civil rights requirements without altering existing funding mechanisms.

Maddy summaryHR 3876 is a non-binding resolution (not a bill) passed by the Missouri House of Representatives. It recognizes Missouri's severe housing affordability crisis, citing a shortage of 101,905 rental units for extremely low-income renters and 40% of renters spending over 30% of income on housing. The resolution urges the Missouri General Assembly and stakeholders to prioritize policies promoting affordable housing development, including zoning reforms and increased funding, without specifying new laws or funding mechanisms. It directly affects low-income renters, seniors, and families struggling with housing costs across urban and rural Missouri. The resolution serves as a formal call for collaborative action but does not enact any concrete policy changes.

Maddy summaryHB 2680 requires Missouri high school career and technical education (CTE) programs to offer courses leading to insurance licensing and certification. The bill mandates that the state education department develop a model curriculum framework for insurance certification, to be available for use starting in the 2027-28 school year. By the 2028-29 school year, all CTE programs must adopt this framework or a substantially similar one. This policy directly affects Missouri high school students enrolled in CTE programs, providing a structured pathway to obtain insurance industry credentials.

Maddy summaryHB 2784 requires the Missouri State Highway Patrol to conduct an independent investigation whenever a person under 55 dies in a state Department of Corrections facility. This applies directly to deaths occurring in correctional facilities, ensuring an external review of such incidents. The bill mandates that the Highway Patrol must have full access to all autopsy records and findings from investigations conducted under existing law. It does not alter sentencing or facility operations but establishes a specific procedural requirement for death investigations in prisons. The bill is currently in its early legislative stages, having been introduced in January 2026.

Maddy summaryHB 2763 creates a funding mechanism for behavioral health crisis services by requiring wireless service providers to collect specific fees. Dealers selling prepaid wireless services must charge end users $0.65 per transaction, while CMRS providers must charge $0.65 monthly per postpaid line for customers with primary use in the state. All collected funds will be deposited into the new "988 Crisis Continuum Fund" managed by the Department of Mental Health, directly supporting crisis services like the 988 hotline and open access behavioral health programs. This bill affects wireless providers, end users purchasing service, and the state's mental health department, with no tax implications for the collected fees.

Maddy summaryHB 2781 adds a $17.50 fee to most criminal court cases and a $7.50 fee to certain juvenile cases, with all funds directed to two new funds. It creates a dedicated "Victims of Domestic Violence Fund" to support services for domestic violence victims, while splitting remaining funds 50/50 between this new fund and the existing Crime Victims' Compensation Fund. The bill also allocates $250,000 annually to state forensic labs for drug and evidence analysis, and requires monthly reporting plus biennial audits of all funds. These changes directly affect court systems, crime victim service providers, and domestic violence support organizations in Missouri.

Maddy summaryHB 2785 allows incarcerated individuals to attend funerals of immediate family members under specific conditions. Offenders must be escorted by corrections staff, pay all associated costs (including escort fees) in advance, and the deceased relative must be a close family member (e.g., parent, child, spouse, or sibling). This provision exempts funeral visits from the standard annual 30-day furlough limit and ensures access if the offender does not receive prior approval. The bill adds this as a defined right without altering sentencing or correctional policies.