Rep. Josh Hurlbert

Maddy summaryHB 408 requires Missouri school districts to adopt written policies banning student use of cell phones, smartwatches, and other connected devices during regular class time starting in the 2025-26 school year. The policy must prohibit devices in classrooms unless authorized by a principal, require students to turn off and store devices during instruction, and include exceptions for students with IEPs, 504 plans, or individualized health care plans. It also mandates guidelines for device use during non-instructional activities like field trips. The law directly affects all K-12 public school students and school districts across Missouri.

Maddy summaryHB 1369 requires mandatory arbitration through the American Arbitration Association for disputes over certain Missouri Department of Transportation (MoDOT) contracts involving claims between $25,000 and $327,000 (adjusted annually using the Personal Consumption Expenditures index). It directly affects contractors working with MoDOT by mandating this dispute resolution process for specific claims exceeding $25,000 but below the adjusted cap. The bill prohibits contracts from containing clauses that waive contractors' rights to file claims or bind courts to MoDOT’s determinations, deeming such clauses void. Additionally, it requires MoDOT to follow standard public rulemaking procedures for any related rules, ensuring transparency and oversight.

Maddy summaryHB 752 updates Missouri's legal definitions for underground facility regulations by repealing old sections and enacting 11 new definitions. It clarifies key terms like "excavation," "underground facility," and "best practices" to standardize safety procedures for locating and marking utilities before digging. This bill directly affects excavators, utility companies, and the statewide notification center by providing clear terminology for coordination during construction projects.

Maddy summaryHB 569 modifies rules for electrical corporations to defer certain costs related to qualifying infrastructure (excluding new coal, nuclear, or natural gas plants). It requires corporations to defer 90% of depreciation and return on qualifying plant investments, adding these deferred costs as regulatory assets to future rate base for recovery over 20 years. The bill also mandates annual capital investment plans detailing grid modernization spending, including a 25% minimum requirement for projects like smart grid technology, renewable integration, and energy efficiency upgrades. This directly affects investor-owned electrical utilities operating in the state, altering how they account for infrastructure costs in rate cases.

Maddy summaryHJR 1 proposes a constitutional amendment to establish strict spending limits for Missouri's state government. It requires that annual spending not exceed a baseline amount (based on prior year appropriations) adjusted by the state's population growth rate (e.g., 100% of prior spending for population decline, 101% for small growth). It creates a "Tax Reform Fund" within the state treasury to cover budget shortfalls only when spending limits are triggered, using revenues from specific tax changes. The amendment also mandates a two-thirds legislative vote to temporarily exceed the spending limit, with the exception lasting no more than 12 months. This directly affects state budgeting decisions and future tax policy implementation.

Maddy summaryHB 100 temporarily lowers Missouri's top income tax rate to 4.95% for tax years 2023-2025, then sets a permanent 4% rate starting January 1, 2026. It allows for future rate reductions (down to 0.1% per year) if state revenue exceeds prior years by specific dollar thresholds. The bill affects all Missouri residents who pay state income tax by modifying how income is taxed across different brackets. The legislation is currently pending in committee after being postponed for further review in February 2025.

Maddy summaryHB 751 bans Missouri public entities (like state agencies, schools, and local governments) from purchasing, funding, or operating small drones (under 55 pounds) made by foreign companies linked to China or Russia. It prohibits these actions starting May 1, 2027, targeting entities on U.S. sanctions lists or under control of those governments. The law allows limited waivers for urgent needs like counter-drone operations or criminal investigations, requiring the public safety director to notify the legislature. This directly affects how Missouri’s public agencies acquire and use drone technology.

Maddy summaryHB 570 revises Missouri's definitions and requirements for addressing child abuse and neglect. It replaces outdated definitions with clearer terms, explicitly excluding reasonable spanking from "abuse" while including victims of sex trafficking. The bill mandates that children entering state custody receive a comprehensive medical, developmental, and mental health screening within 30 days by qualified professionals, with follow-up assessments within 60 days if concerns arise. These provisions directly affect children in state care, the Missouri Children's Division, and child welfare service providers, aiming to standardize early intervention for at-risk children.

Maddy summaryHB 498 allows charter schools to operate in specific Missouri school districts meeting defined criteria, primarily targeting districts with accreditation issues or in certain county populations. It permits charter schools in districts classified as unaccredited or provisionally accredited for three consecutive years, or in counties with 150,000-200,000 residents, while limiting charter enrollment to 35% of total students in larger districts. The bill specifies eligible sponsors (like local school boards, accredited colleges, or nonprofits) and prohibits sponsors from charging fees for charter applications. It also allows "workplace charter schools" targeting students of parents employed in business districts, with no liability for sponsors regarding charter school operations.

Maddy summaryHB 853 modifies rules for electrical corporations by prohibiting them from charging customers for costs related to construction in progress (CIP) before facilities are operational. It permits corporations to include CIP costs in rate base under strict limits - approved by the commission, tied to actual project costs and timelines - and requires refunds with interest if costs were imprudently incurred. The bill also mandates annual capacity planning reports showing how corporations will meet future energy needs, with penalties for insufficient capacity due to imprudent decisions. The key provisions expire on December 31, 2035, unless extended by the commission after a 2035 hearing.