Sen. Howard Marklein

Maddy summarySB 645 prohibits restaurants from serving margarine as a substitute for butter unless a customer specifically orders it. It also bars state institutions (like hospitals or prisons) and schools from using margarine instead of butter without a health-related exception - such as a physician's order for a specific patient or student. The bill specifically requires schools to get explicit permission from a student, parent/guardian, or healthcare provider to substitute margarine, while maintaining the existing ban on unrequested use in public dining.

Maddy summarySB 377 adds the Brooklyn Area Veterans Memorial in Brooklyn, Green County, to state highway maps as a designated location. This procedural bill updates map references to formally identify the memorial's location on state transportation maps. It directly affects state highway map publications but does not change any policies, benefits, or obligations for residents or veterans. The change applies to maps published after the bill's effective date.

Maddy summarySB 654 exempts companies providing contract research services from state sales tax. It defines these services as research conducted for clients that would qualify as "qualified research" under federal tax rules if done in-house by the client’s own staff. The bill specifically includes research funded between corporate group members and research paid for through contract research expenses. This policy change directly affects research service providers by removing a sales tax burden on their services.

Maddy summarySB 553 clarifies that certain medical procedures performed to save a pregnant woman's life do not count as "abortion" under state law. The bill creates specific definitions for terms like "anembryonic pregnancy," "ectopic pregnancy," and "molar pregnancy," and explicitly states that abortion does not include procedures like emergency cesarean sections, removal of a dead fetus, or treatment for these specific conditions when doctors make reasonable efforts to preserve both the mother's and unborn child's life. This directly affects healthcare providers who perform these emergency procedures and pregnant patients facing medical crises. The law updates multiple statutes to ensure these scenarios are excluded from the legal definition of abortion.

Maddy summarySB 647 targets individuals who fraudulently claim unclaimed property belonging to others. It imposes civil penalties (equal to the property value) and criminal penalties (a Class I felony) for filing claims without consent to deprive owners. The bill also requires the state administrator to post penalty details online for 12 months and allows partial penalty waivers. This directly affects people who submit false claims for unclaimed funds or assets held by the state. The law updates existing statutes to clarify penalties for fraudulent claims under Section 177.12045.

Maddy summarySB 426 simplifies registration for trailers transporting manufactured housing units. It allows transporters (businesses or individuals moving these units) to use a single annual registration plate on all their trailers instead of registering each trailer separately. The plate must be displayed on the trailer and is valid for one calendar year, with a fee based on the combined weight of the unit and trailer. This directly affects companies that transport manufactured homes, modular housing, or portable buildings used for living. The bill amends existing statute to establish this streamlined registration process.

Maddy summarySB 476 modifies a state workforce home loan program to set maximum home purchase prices by county, based on annual data from the federal Department of Housing and Urban Development. It prohibits fees on these loans and requires qualified organizations (like approved lenders) to verify applicant eligibility using state-provided forms. The bill directly affects low-to-moderate income homebuyers seeking affordable mortgages through this program. Key changes include adding county-specific price limits to underwriting guidelines and requiring the state authority to distribute loan funds electronically. The bill is pending final passage after committee approval.

Maddy summarySB 519 prohibits unauthorized drone operation over school property, including public, private, and tribal schools, as defined in the bill. Exceptions allow drone use with school board authorization or for specific law enforcement purposes like search/rescue operations, locating escaped prisoners, or preventing imminent danger. Violations carry a $5,000 penalty, and law enforcement must seize drone footage related to violations for transfer to the appropriate agency. The bill directly affects drone operators near schools and clarifies enforcement procedures for such incidents.

Maddy summaryBased on the provided information, SB 337 relates to local grant writing and compliance assistance, as indicated by its title. However, the "Bill Text" provided only details amendments to specific dates within the bill, shifting some effective or relevant years. The full content explaining the bill's mechanisms, who it directly affects, or its concrete policy changes regarding grant writing and compliance assistance is not available in this excerpt.

Maddy summarySB 672 prohibits health insurance plans (including Medical Assistance) from covering organ transplants or related care if the organ was transplanted in, originates from, or was procured in a country designated by the department as participating in forced organ harvesting. The bill defines forced organ harvesting as the removal of organs through coercion, deception, or abuse of power. It exempts life-saving post-transplant care for individuals who already received a prohibited transplant. The department will designate qualifying countries, and the law applies to all disability insurance, self-insured health plans, and Medical Assistance programs. (SB 672, Section 1)