Rep. Bishop Davidson

Maddy summaryThis bill is a resolution from the Missouri House of Representatives that urges the U.S. Congress to work toward eliminating the U.S. Department of Education. It argues that education is a state responsibility and claims the federal department has caused overreach through regulations and mandates without improving student reading scores. The text supports returning control of education to states and local communities, asserting this would allow for more efficient use of taxpayer money and policies that better reflect local values. Because this is a non-binding resolution expressing support for a federal goal rather than creating new laws, it does not directly change policy or affect specific groups immediately.

Maddy summaryHB 2748 requires all elementary school students (including those in alternative programs and with disabilities, as appropriate under disability laws) to participate in at least 60 minutes daily of supervised moderate physical activity starting in the 2026-27 school year. It also mandates a minimum 20-minute daily recess in elementary schools and allows middle school students to meet activity requirements through 225 minutes weekly of physical activity. The bill establishes a state recognition program for schools showing fitness improvements and permits districts to meet requirements through recess, physical education, or approved activities. These changes directly affect public school districts, students, and physical education staff across the state.

Maddy summaryHJR 173 proposes a constitutional amendment to eliminate Missouri's state individual income tax by 2031 if specific revenue goals are met, requiring the legislature to set a tax rate below 1.4% for any tax year starting in 2031 or later. It also restricts expanding sales and use taxes to new services beyond what was taxed as of January 1, 2015, unless the expansion is explicitly tied to reducing the income tax. To offset revenue changes from any tax base expansion, local governments must adjust property taxes, earnings taxes, or sales tax rates by July 1, 2029, without reducing school funding. The amendment further mandates that sales tax rates be adjusted annually to maintain pre-2029 revenue levels, adjusted for inflation. This amendment requires voter approval before taking effect.

Maddy summaryHB 2747 modifies Missouri's criminal trial procedures for first-degree murder cases involving the death penalty. It establishes a two-stage trial process: the first stage determines guilt, and the second stage (only if the death penalty wasn't waived) decides sentencing based on aggravating/mitigating factors. The bill specifies that life imprisonment without parole must be imposed if the defendant is intellectually disabled, no aggravating circumstances are proven, or the jury cannot unanimously agree on the death penalty. It also defines "intellectual disability" and applies only to offenses committed on or after August 28, 2001. The bill does not address expungement procedures, despite references to related sections in the text.

Maddy summaryHB 2559 requires state agencies to obtain legislative approval before implementing new administrative rules that would cost over $250,000 annually for government, businesses, or individuals. Agencies must notify the Joint Committee on Administrative Rules and the full legislature, which must pass a concurrent resolution approving the rule before it takes effect. Rules not approved this way become invalid, with exceptions for federal compliance or funding requirements. This directly affects state agencies creating significant-cost rules and shifts authority to the legislature for final approval.

Maddy summaryHB 2749 modifies Missouri's rules for physician assistants (PAs) working under physician supervision. It replaces outdated language with new definitions and clarifies that PAs must operate under a written "collaborative practice arrangement" with a licensed physician for all services. The bill explicitly lists permitted PA tasks (like taking patient histories, performing exams, and assisting in surgery) while banning PAs from performing abortions, prescribing vision correction devices, or administering certain anesthetics. This directly affects PAs and physicians in Missouri by defining their scope of practice and requiring formal written agreements for collaborative care.

Maddy summaryHB 3530, the "Battery and Grid Resilience Act," requires Missouri utilities to create residential programs enabling homeowners to install battery storage systems (minimum 10 kW capacity) connected to the grid. Utilities must offer a $500/kWh upfront rebate (capped at 30 kWh per home) plus performance payments for grid services, with systems required to participate in utility-approved tariffs for five years. The bill includes consumer protections like a 3-day cancellation window, mandatory disclosure of terms and incentives, and requirements for system safety and insurance. Costs for these programs are recoverable through utility rates, with safeguards ensuring low-income customers aren’t unduly burdened and savings are verified.

Maddy summaryHJR 164 proposes a constitutional amendment in Missouri that would prohibit expanding state and local sales/use taxes to cover new services or transactions after January 1, 2015, unless the expansion is specifically intended to reduce or eliminate the state individual income tax. It would allow the legislature to broaden the sales tax base for this purpose and exempt such tax increases from certain revenue requirements and reporting rules. The amendment, if approved by voters, would directly affect Missouri taxpayers and lawmakers by restricting future tax expansions while creating a pathway to replace income tax with sales tax. This proposal requires voter approval in a 2026 election and is not yet law.

Maddy summaryHB 2750 modifies Missouri's laws governing newborn screening and laboratory testing by the Department of Health and Senior Services. It requires all testing results and personal information to remain confidential, with release only permitted after parents or guardians provide informed consent about the scope, risks, and recipients of the information. The bill mandates that newborn screening results be destroyed one year after finalization (except when shared with a child's healthcare provider) and specifies biological specimens must be retained for one year before destruction, unless parents direct otherwise (e.g., to return, destroy, or store the specimen without allowing anonymous study). The law maintains the requirement for newborn screening for specific metabolic and genetic diseases, performed by the Department, with parental consent.

Maddy summaryHJR 3 proposes a constitutional amendment titled "Protect Missouri Voters" to restrict foreign influence in statewide ballot measures. It would ban contributions from foreign adversaries (as defined by U.S. designations) and foreign nationals to support or oppose such measures, with penalties including fines, imprisonment, or triple the illegal contribution amount. The amendment also criminalizes petition signature fraud, requires public hearings before initiative petitions are submitted, mandates majority approval in each congressional district for constitutional initiatives, and ensures the full text of initiatives is provided to voters with their ballots. If approved by voters, these provisions would become part of Missouri's constitution.