Rep. Josh Hurlbert

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 2807 requires Missouri electric utilities to source increasing percentages of electricity from renewable sources like wind and solar, starting at 2% in 2011 and rising to 15% by 2025, with at least 2% specifically from solar. It creates an exemption for large commercial customers (over 80MW load) who purchase renewable energy and retire certificates, allowing them to avoid utility compliance costs. The bill establishes rules for tracking renewable energy certificates (RECs) and limits annual rate increases from compliance costs to 1%. Utilities must meet these requirements for all power sold to Missouri consumers, including purchased electricity.

Maddy summaryHB 3069 allows school districts to deduct specific payments from employee paychecks when requested by a group of ten or more employees. These deductions cover items like retirement accounts, credit unions, or dues to qualified professional associations (defined as groups handling workplace issues, not political funds). The bill prohibits districts from deducting dues for political funds or restricting employees from joining or leaving these associations at any time. It also requires districts to remit deductions within 15 days and protects them from liability for good-faith errors. This directly affects school district employees and their employers by changing payroll deduction rules.

Maddy summaryHB 1974 restricts how Temporary Assistance for Needy Families (TANF) and SNAP (food stamp) benefit cards can be used. It prohibits purchases at liquor stores, casinos, gambling venues, and for alcohol, tobacco, lottery tickets, or other items deemed not in a child's best interest. Recipients face disqualification periods (3 months for first violation, up to 5 years for third) if they make prohibited purchases, while businesses accepting such payments face escalating fines. The bill also requires recipients to make at least one electronic benefit transaction in Missouri every 90 days to avoid temporary payment suspension.

Maddy summaryHB 2155 requires municipalities and the Missouri Department of Transportation to reimburse non-rate-regulated utilities (like certain telecom or gas providers) for costs incurred when relocating facilities due to road maintenance projects. The bill mandates that counties must pay these relocation costs as part of public right-of-way project expenses, replacing prior laws that did not require such reimbursement. This directly affects utility companies that operate without state rate regulation and local governments managing road construction. The key provision shifts the financial responsibility for utility relocations from the utility to the government entity undertaking the roadwork.

Maddy summaryHB 1842 allows Missouri website owners and the state Attorney General to challenge lawsuits alleging website accessibility violations (under laws like the ADA) if those lawsuits are deemed "abusive." It defines abusive litigation as primarily seeking payment from defendants rather than fixing accessibility issues, requiring courts to consider factors like the plaintiff's history of similar lawsuits and the defendant's resources. If litigation is found abusive, the suing party must pay the defendant's legal fees and potentially up to three times those fees as punitive damages. The law includes a 30-day window for defendants to correct accessibility issues to avoid a presumption of abusive litigation.

Maddy summaryHB 1973 modifies Missouri law to require schools and colleges to determine student athletic participation based on biological sex as recorded on a student's birth certificate or government record. It prohibits students from competing in sports designated for the opposite biological sex (e.g., a student assigned male at birth competing in girls' sports), except when no equivalent competition exists for their biological sex. Schools violating this law risk losing state funding, and affected students or parents can seek legal remedies. The law includes a sunset provision, expiring August 28, 2027, and defines "sex" as male/female based on reproductive biology and genome at birth.

Maddy summaryHB 1983 revises Missouri's vehicle registration process by changing how odometer information from inspections is handled. It requires the state director of revenue to retain odometer readings for qualifying vehicles (10 years old or newer, model year 2000 or newer, or under 150,000 miles) and provide access to that data for 10 years, provided the vehicle was registered after specific dates. The bill also adds specific requirements for reconstructed, salvage, or specially constructed vehicles when applying for a new title. This change primarily affects vehicle owners during registration and title applications, without altering inspection frequency or safety standards.

Maddy summaryHB 2056, the "Act Against Abusive and Predatory Website Access Litigation," creates a legal process for Missouri businesses sued over website accessibility claims to challenge whether the lawsuit is "abusive." It directly affects Missouri-based businesses (public accommodations) facing lawsuits alleging violations of the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) or state law regarding website access. The key mechanism establishes a rebuttable presumption that litigation is abusive if the business corrects the alleged website issue within 30 days (with a 90-day window), and requires courts to consider factors like the plaintiff’s history of similar lawsuits or the defendant’s resources. If deemed abusive, the court can award the defendant reasonable attorney fees and costs, plus potential penalties up to three times those fees.

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.