Sen. Cindy O'Laughlin

Maddy summarySB 849 would pause the construction of new solar energy projects statewide. The bill, currently pending review by the Senate Energy Committee, does not specify exemptions or duration. It directly affects solar developers and project builders by halting new construction permits. This is a procedural bill that has not yet been enacted into law.

SJR 116 - This constitutional amendment, if approved by the voters, modifies the Missouri Nonpartisan Court Plan by providing for nonpartisan elections of judges of the Supreme Court and judges of the Court of Appeals, rather than the nonpartisan selection by the Governor from the Nonpartisan Appellate Commission's nominees. The Chief Justice of the Supreme Court shall also be elected, rather than selected by and from the judges of the Supreme Court. The Supreme Court judges, the Chief Justice, and the Court of Appeals judges shall be elected for terms of six years, rather than terms of twelve years. Additionally, no Supreme Court judge, Chief Justice, or Court of Appeals judge shall be elected to a particular judicial seat for more than two consecutive terms. If the General Assembly has provided by law for three appellate districts that meet the districts described in the amendment, the Supreme Court Chief Justice shall be elected at large and two Supreme Court judges shall be elected from each court of appeals district by the voters eligible to vote within that district. If the General Assembly has provided for more than three appellate districts or the geographical boundaries of the districts change such that the three districts described in the amendment cannot be made, then the Supreme Court Chief Justice shall be elected at large and the election of other Supreme Court judges shall be established by law, or if no law timely establishes procedures for such elections, then elections for the Supreme Court Chief Justice and the Supreme Court judges shall be at large. A Supreme Court judge shall be a resident of the appellate district from which he or she is elected no later than the day of his or her election. Those Supreme Court judges currently holding office as of December 3, 2026, shall not be required to reside in any particular appellate district. Those judges along with those who have been retained and the offices with vacancies shall be assigned a seat designation as described in the amendment for purposes of implementing elections and filling vacancies. Additionally, this amendment provides the order of elections for judges of the Court of Appeals based on the last retention election for each seat. No political party shall nominate any candidate for these judicial offices, and no primary or general election ballot shall include a party designation for any of these judicial offices. The General Assembly shall make no law prohibiting a candidate from declaring himself or herself a supporter of a political party, or prohibiting a political party from declaring its support for a candidate. All declarations for candidacy for the office of judge of the Supreme Court, Chief Justice of the Supreme Court, or judge of the Court of Appeals shall be filed with the Secretary of State no later than 120 days before the primary election. All declarations shall be accompanied by: (1) A nominating petition signed no earlier than 180 days before the primary election by 100 voters eligible to vote in the applicable appellate district, or in the case of the chief justice, in the state; or (2) A nomination form signed by all members of the Appellate Judicial Commission no earlier than 180 days before the primary. The Appellate Judicial Commission may issue nomination forms for up to three individuals per race, but it shall not issue a nomination form for any person who files a declaration accompanied by a nominating petition. The two candidates receiving the highest number of votes in the primary election shall stand in the general election and the candidate achieving the greatest number of votes in the general election shall be elected to the judicial office. The elections shall be held in the same manner as gubernatorial elections to the greatest extent possible for nonpartisan elections, or otherwise provided by law. Lastly, a judge or judicial candidate may announce his or her views on disputed legal or political issues provided that the judge or judicial candidate does not make pledges or promises to render specific rulings or decisions on pending litigation. A judicial candidate shall be allowed to solicit, receive, and make campaign contributions, and receive and make campaign expenditures for his or her campaign, subject only to laws that enact limits no more restrictive than those applicable to gubernatorial elections. Nothing in this amendment shall preclude the application of laws or rules of the Supreme Court governing judicial participation in specific cases based on a judge's political activity with respect to the subject matter or parties. This amendment is identical to SJR 3 (2025) and is similar to SJR 114 (2026), HCS/HJRs 153 & 119 (2026), SJR 14 (2021), HCS/HJR 24 (2021), and HJR 43 (2021). KATIE O'BRIEN

SR 640 - This resolution modifies Senate Rule 52 to require Senate bills with House amendments and conference committee substitutes to lie on the table for one day before being acted upon by the Senate. The resolution further modifies Senate Rule 84 to provide that a motion for the previous question shall be admitted upon the written demand of 18, rather than 10, senators. This resolution is similar to SR 567 (2026). JIM ERTLE

Maddy summarySJR 67 is a procedural resolution that would change the appointment process for the Director of the Department of Transportation, requiring the Governor to make the appointment directly. This would affect the Governor's authority over the transportation department and the individual appointed to lead it. The bill does not alter transportation policies or funding but specifies who holds the appointment power. (Note: As a joint resolution, this is a procedural matter, not a substantive law.)

Maddy summarySR 2 establishes procedural rules for the Second Extraordinary Session of the First Regular Session of the 103rd General Assembly. This procedural bill sets operational guidelines for the legislative session, such as meeting schedules and committee structures, without changing substantive policy or affecting any specific group or individual.

Maddy summaryBased solely on the provided context, a detailed summary cannot be generated. The official abstract ("Modifies provisions relating to economic development") is too vague to identify specific policy changes, affected groups, or key mechanisms. No concrete provisions, sponsors, or impacts are described in the available information. The bill is in early stages (first read, second read, hearing canceled) but lacks substantive details for an accurate summary. Without additional bill text or specific provisions, any summary would be speculative.

Modifies provisions relating to judges of the Supreme Court and of the Court of Appeals, including length of terms, term limits, and nonpartisan elections

Maddy summarySJR 2 would transfer control of the state Department of Transportation (DOT) from the Highways and Transportation Commission to the Governor. This change would remove the Commission's oversight role and place direct decision-making authority for the DOT under the Governor. The bill specifically transfers administrative authority, including policy direction and management of transportation programs. It does not alter the DOT's core responsibilities but shifts who holds final control over its operations. The bill is currently pending in the Senate General Laws Committee.

Maddy summaryThis is a procedural bill (SR 19) that modifies two specific Senate rules (Rules 25 and 28) related to the structure and operation of the Senate's standing committees. It does not create new policy but changes internal Senate committee procedures. The bill was introduced and adopted by the Senate on January 14-15, 2025. Specific changes to Rules 25 and 28 are not detailed in the provided context, so the exact nature of the modifications affecting committee operations cannot be described.

Maddy summarySCR 1 is a procedural resolution establishing a joint committee of the General Assembly to organize the January 13, 2025, inaugural events. It does not create policy changes but formally appoints committee members (20 from the Senate and 37 from the House) to oversee the event logistics. The bill directly affects the General Assembly by designating specific legislators to manage the inaugural proceedings. It was adopted by both chambers and committee appointments were finalized on January 13, 2025. This is a standard procedural measure for coordinating legislative events, not a policy bill.