Sen. Curtis Trent

Maddy summaryThis bill lacks sufficient detail in the provided context to create a substantive summary. The official abstract only states it "creates provisions relating to rebates by electrical corporations" without specifying what those provisions are, who would be affected, or how rebates would be structured. Without concrete policy language or mechanisms described, no accurate summary of its effects or key provisions can be generated. The bill appears to be in early stages (prefiled, first reading), but its actual content remains unclear from the available information.

Maddy summarySB 1235 modifies Missouri law to criminalize actions intended to harass, intimidate, or influence judicial officers and proceedings. It defines "tampering with a judicial officer" as threatening harm, sharing personal information (like home addresses or Social Security numbers), or offering benefits to judges, court staff, or their families. The bill classifies this as a class D felony (class B if injury or death occurs) and prohibits parole or probation for certain violations. It also defines "tampering with a judicial proceeding" as threatening jurors or offering benefits to influence court outcomes, making it a class D felony with no parole eligibility. The law directly affects judges, court personnel, jurors, and their families by expanding protections against harassment and intimidation.

Maddy summarySB 881 establishes rules for funding legal actions, specifically addressing foreign funding sources and private "litigation funding agreements" (where third parties finance lawsuits). The bill's abstract indicates it aims to regulate these funding mechanisms but does not specify exact requirements, restrictions, or affected parties. As the bill is currently in committee review (prefiled and referred to the General Laws Committee), no concrete provisions or impacts are detailed in the provided context. This summary is limited to the bill's stated focus, as no further specifics about its mechanisms or scope are available.

SB 1360 - This act establishes the "Civil Liability for Employers Hiring Ex-Offenders Act" which provides that a cause of action shall not be brought against an employer, general contractor, premises owner, or other third party for hiring an employee or independent contractor who has been convicted of an offense, excluding certain violent and sexual offenses listed in the act. In an action for negligent hiring against an employer, general contractor, premises owner, or other third party for acts of an employee or independent contractor that is based on a theory of liability not covered by this act, the fact that the employee or independent contractor was convicted of a nonviolent, nonsexual offense before the employee or independent contractor's employment or contractual obligation with the employer, general contractor, premises owner, or other third party shall be inadmissible as evidence. This act shall not preclude any existing cause of action for failure of an employer to provide adequate supervision of an employee or independent contractor, except that the conviction of a nonviolent, nonsexual offense may be admissible as evidence in such action if the employer: (1) Knew of the conviction or was grossly negligent in the failure to know of the conviction; and (2) The conviction was directly related to the nature of the employee's or independent contractor's work and the conduct that gave rise to the alleged injury that is basis of the action. The protections of this act provided to an employer, general contractor, premises owner, or third party do not apply in an action concerning: (1) The misuse of funds or property of a person other than the employer, general contractor, premises owner, or third party by an employee or independent contractor, if, on the date the employee or independent contractor was hired, the employee or independent contractor had been convicted of an offense that includes fraud or the misuse of funds or property as an element, and it was foreseeable that the position for which the employee or independent contractor was hired would involve the discharge of a fiduciary responsibility in the management of the funds or property; (2) The misappropriation of funds by an employee or independent contractor if the employee or independent contractor was hired as an attorney and, if on the date of hiring, the employee or independent contractor had been convicted of a crime that includes fraud or the misuse of funds or property as an element; or (3) A violent offense or an improper use of excessive force by an employee or independent contractor hired to serve as a law enforcement officer or security guard. The provisions of this act shall not be interpreted as implying a cause of action exists for negligent hiring of an individual convicted of an offense in situations not covered by this section. This act is identical to SB 443 (2025), SB 1110 (2024), and SB 352 (2023) and is similar to HB 1087 (2025), HB 1969 (2024), HCS/HB 2064 (2024), and HB 720 (2023). KATIE O'BRIEN

Maddy summarySB 1361, the Second Amendment Financial Privacy Act, prohibits financial institutions from requiring firearms retailers in Missouri to use a specific merchant category code (5723) for firearm sales or refusing payment card transactions based solely on that code. It also bans financial institutions from disclosing payment records related to firearm purchases unless required by law, protecting customers' transaction privacy. The law applies to firearms retailers physically located in Missouri and their customers using payment cards. Enforcement is handled by the Attorney General, who can order violations to cease within 30 days and impose civil penalties of up to $10,000 per violation for continued noncompliance after the deadline.

Maddy summarySB 1359 creates legal protection for private companies (like businesses or apps) that collect biometric data (such as fingerprints or facial scans) if they follow specific rules. To avoid liability for accidental or careless data leaks, companies must post clear notices, explain why they collect the data, create a plan to destroy it after use or within three years, and protect it as securely as other sensitive information. The bill explicitly excludes medical data under HIPAA, genetic testing results, and financial data covered by federal laws from its scope. It does not change existing legal processes for court cases involving biometric data or override other privacy laws.

Maddy summarySB 1309 modifies rules for admitting expert testimony in court. It requires experts to base opinions on reliable data and methods, and mandates that testimony must help the judge or jury understand evidence or resolve facts. The bill applies to most civil cases (like family law or probate) and criminal cases, but specifically prohibits experts from stating opinions about a defendant’s mental state in criminal trials. These changes aim to ensure expert testimony is both relevant and scientifically sound before being presented to a court.

Maddy summarySJR 83 is a constitutional amendment proposal that would allow Missouri's legislature to define the state's income tax base by referencing current or future U.S. federal tax laws. If approved by voters in 2026, it would let Missouri adopt federal income tax definitions while capping the state's income tax rate at 4.7%. The amendment would not change existing tax rates but would enable the legislature to adjust how income is calculated for state tax purposes. This change would directly affect Missouri taxpayers and the state's tax collection process, requiring voter approval before taking effect.

Maddy summarySB 1378 requires Missouri public school districts and charter schools to provide cursive writing instruction in elementary schools. It mandates that students achieve readable cursive writing by fifth grade and pass a teacher-created test demonstrating proficiency in both reading and writing cursive. The bill directly affects elementary students in Missouri public and charter schools by adding cursive writing as a required skill. It does not change existing curriculum standards but specifies a measurable outcome for cursive competency before fifth grade.

Maddy summarySJR 88 is a proposed constitutional amendment in Missouri that would create a property tax exemption for disabled veterans and their surviving spouses. It defines a "disabled veteran" as a Missouri resident with honorable military service and 100% VA disability compensation from service-connected injuries, and exempts their primary residence (homestead) from property taxes. Surviving spouses retain the exemption only if they continue living in the same home; the exemption ends if they sell the property or move. To offset lost local tax revenue, the bill requires counties to impose a replacement tax on certain commercial property (subclass 3 of class 1), with adjustments based on property values and voter approval for rate changes. This is a pending constitutional amendment (prefiled Dec 2025, first read Jan 2026), not yet law.