Sen. Jamie Burger

Maddy summarySB 290 would change the rule that currently prevents winning parties from recovering legal fees in lawsuits against government agencies. Specifically, it modifies the exclusion of attorney's fees for those who successfully challenge agency actions in court. This affects individuals, businesses, or organizations taking legal action against state or local government agencies (such as environmental or licensing boards). The key change allows courts to award legal fees to prevailing parties in these cases, reducing the financial burden of litigation. The bill is currently pending in the Judiciary Committee.

Maddy summaryThis bill is a procedural measure that formally notifies the Governor and the Senate that the House of Representatives has officially begun its 2024 Constitutional Veto Session. By adopting this text, the House confirms it is in session and prepared to consider legislative business related to vetoing prior actions. The bill does not create new laws or policies but serves as an administrative step to establish the House's authority for the specific veto session.

Maddy summaryThis bill updates the criteria for excusing individuals from jury duty in state courts, specifically raising the age threshold for automatic exemption from 75 to 70 years old. It also expands exemptions to include nursing mothers with physician certification, health care providers who risk patient safety, and religious employees with documented constraints. The legislation clarifies that requests for excusal based on physical or financial hardship require specific documentation, such as tax returns or medical statements, and defines what constitutes undue hardship to prevent abuse of the system.

Maddy summaryThis bill establishes state policy requiring schools and colleges to separate male and female students into distinct athletic competitions based on the biological sex recorded on their birth certificates. It prohibits institutions from allowing students to compete in the category opposite to their birth certificate designation, except when no female competition is available. Schools that violate these rules face the loss of state funding, while affected students or parents can sue for equitable relief and legal fees. The law also mandates that education departments create specific regulations to enforce these guidelines while protecting student medical privacy.

Maddy summaryThis bill allows manufactured homes to be transported on state roads and highways on Saturdays without restriction. It achieves this by amending existing transportation laws to explicitly prohibit the state from banning such movements on that specific day of the week. The change applies to all regions of the state and requires movers to obtain the standard special permits already in place for oversized loads.

Maddy summaryThis bill updates the funding rules for Missouri's regional planning commissions by establishing a requirement that local governments must provide matching funds to receive state money. Under the new section, state contributions will be limited to half of the total project cost, with the other half coming from local sources. The legislation sets specific annual dollar caps for various commissions, such as the East-West Gateway Coordinating Council, and includes a provision to adjust these maximum amounts annually based on inflation starting in 2025.

Maddy summaryThis bill amends existing legislation to clarify the definition of a "pipeline facility" when discussing the export of water out of the state. It specifically includes components like pipes, valves, pumping units, and metering stations within that definition. Additionally, the bill restricts water exports to only those moving via a pipeline facility. These changes directly affect the legal framework governing how water can be transported across state lines.