Rep. Steve Butz

Maddy summaryHB 2061 requires Missouri public schools and colleges to prohibit antisemitic harassment and discrimination as rigorously as racial discrimination. It defines antisemitism using the International Holocaust Remembrance Alliance's 2016 definition and mandates that schools integrate this into their student, faculty, and employee codes of conduct. The bill explicitly states that criticism of Israel is not antisemitic and clarifies that the law does not infringe on First Amendment rights or conflict with existing federal/state discrimination laws. This directly affects all public educational institutions in Missouri, requiring them to address antisemitic conduct that creates fear or impedes access to campus activities.

Maddy summaryHJR 115 proposes a constitutional amendment to create a property tax exemption for Missouri disabled veterans and their surviving spouses. It defines a "disabled veteran" as a Missouri resident honorably separated from military service with a 100% VA-certified service-connected disability, and a "homestead" as their primary residence (not exceeding 2.5 acres). The exemption would apply to real property used as a primary home, excluding portions rented for more than six months annually. This amendment requires voter approval in the 2026 general election and would replace the current property tax exemption provisions in Missouri's constitution.

Maddy summaryHB 2990 modifies Missouri's securities registration fees for financial professionals. It reduces agent and representative registration fees from $50 to $45, sets new fee structures for broker-dealers and investment advisers, and establishes rules for future fee adjustments (capping increases at 25% over eight years). The bill also creates two funds: an Investor Education and Protection Fund for fraud prevention initiatives and a Securities Division Fund to cover operational costs of the securities division. These changes directly affect individuals and firms registering with Missouri's securities division under the Missouri Securities Act.

Maddy summaryHB 121 amends Missouri law to allow parents to safely leave newborns (up to 90 days old) in hospital or maternity home newborn safety incubators, rather than requiring them to go to a specific location. The bill defines "newborn safety incubator" as a medical device for infant care and specifies that parents using this option cannot be prosecuted for abandonment. It also guarantees parents' anonymity, prohibits staff from seeking identifying information, and restricts disclosure of parent details except to specific child welfare or legal personnel. This directly affects parents considering safe surrender, hospitals, maternity homes, and pregnancy resource centers.

Maddy summaryHB 525 restructures Missouri's Ethics Commission by changing how members are appointed and adding transparency requirements. It requires governors to appoint members based on lists from congressional district committees of the top two parties, with limits on party representation (max three members from one party) and mandates nominees disclose political contributions from the past four years. The bill also prohibits commissioners from holding other public offices, lobbying, or participating in elections during their term or for one year after leaving. These changes aim to clarify the commission's independence from administrative oversight while increasing public transparency in appointments.

Maddy summaryHB 521 would increase the cigarette tax from $0.17 to $0.27 per pack (20 cigarettes) to generate revenue for public education and health care. The funds would be split as 53% for public schools, 23.5% for a health initiatives fund, and 23.5% for the Fair Share Fund (supporting education). The bill requires voter approval in a 2026 election to take effect, as specified in the legislation. It applies to all cigarette sales in the state, with retailers responsible for collecting and remitting the tax.

Maddy summaryHB 524 requires state-level political committees (including candidate committees) to attach copies of monthly bank statements for each account to their regular financial disclosure reports. This applies to all committees already mandated to file receipts and expenditures reports, specifically adding bank statement copies for every month since the last report. The bill mandates this for every committee bank account, aiming to provide verifiable records of all financial activity. It directly affects campaign committees managing state election finances by expanding transparency requirements beyond current disclosure forms.

Maddy summaryHB 526 makes it illegal to possess an open alcoholic beverage container (like a broken or partially emptied bottle or can) in the passenger area of any vehicle on public roads, including streets and highways. It directly affects drivers and passengers who carry such containers in accessible areas of their vehicle while traveling. Key provisions define "open container" (broken seal or partially removed contents) and "passenger area" (excluding locked glove compartments and certain rear areas), while exempting vehicles used for passenger transport (like taxis) and motor homes. The offense is classified as a minor infraction with no criminal record impact, and only the person holding the container can be cited. The bill is currently pending in committee and has not yet become law.

Maddy summaryHJR 28 proposes a constitutional amendment to replace Missouri's current Section 23 regarding firearms. It would explicitly protect the right to keep and bear arms for defense of home, person, family, and property, requiring any restrictions to undergo "strict scrutiny" and obligating the state to protect these rights. The amendment also allows counties and cities (including St. Louis and Kansas City) to adopt local ordinances regulating firearm possession, carrying, or transfer - subject to specific limits like charging only cost-covering permit fees, requiring background checks via federal systems, and capping penalties at $1,000 fines or 1 year in jail. It explicitly preserves restrictions for convicted violent felons and individuals found by court to pose a danger due to mental health issues. The amendment requires voter approval in 2026 or a special election.

Maddy summaryHB 1294 creates a 15-member "Task Force on Gun Violence in the City of St. Louis" to address local gun violence. The task force includes legislative appointees, the public safety director, and eight community members (representing police, schools, parents, students, and residents). It must form specialized teams to analyze gun violence data, raise awareness through community engagement, develop action plans, and measure progress. The task force must submit annual reports to the governor and legislature by December 31 and expires on December 31, 2027 (or potentially 2029). This bill directly affects St. Louis city officials and community stakeholders involved in gun violence prevention efforts.