Rep. Burt Whaley

Maddy summaryHB 2576 designates the bridge on State Highway CC crossing Interstate 44 in Webster County as the "Dr Tommy Macdonnell Memorial Bridge." The bill requires the Missouri Department of Transportation to erect and maintain signs naming the bridge, with costs covered by the department. This is a ceremonial designation honoring Dr. Tommy Macdonnell, recognizing his Silver Star Award, and does not alter transportation policies or funding mechanisms. The bill directly affects the bridge's official name and signage.

Maddy summaryHB 2596 modifies rules for multi-employer self-insured health plans, which are arrangements offering health benefits to employees of two or more employers (or self-employed individuals) without full insurance backing. The bill requires these plans to maintain a minimum financial safety net - either three times their average monthly premium, $600,000, or two times their risk-based capital amount - depending on their experience. This directly affects staff leasing companies and multi-employer health plans that operate without a fully insured insurer. The changes aim to ensure these plans have sufficient funds to cover future claims.

Maddy summaryHB 1827 expands who can certify eligibility for Missouri disabled license plates and placards by adding licensed occupational therapists to the list of "other authorized health care practitioners" under Section 301.142. This change directly affects individuals seeking disabled placards (who now have more healthcare providers able to issue the required certification) and licensed occupational therapists (who gain authority to provide these certifications). The bill modifies the definition to include occupational therapists licensed under Chapter 324, allowing them to issue physician's statements for conditions they are legally authorized to diagnose and treat, while maintaining existing requirements for the certification format and content.

Maddy summaryHB 2593 establishes a Missouri Military Family Relief Fund to provide financial assistance to Missouri National Guard members and their families, as well as to Missouri residents serving in federal reserve components. It creates three new service ribbons for specific military programs: a counterdrug program ribbon (eligible since 1989), a homeland response force ribbon (eligible since 2012), and an engineer explosive ordnance clearance agent ribbon (eligible since 2012). All ribbons require honorable service and may be awarded to surviving next of kin if a member dies before receiving the ribbon. The bill also clarifies the adjutant general's authority to manage these programs and issue rules for the relief fund.

Maddy summaryHCR 47 is a symbolic resolution expressing the Missouri General Assembly's gratitude to local road crews and utility lineworkers for their efforts during winter weather emergencies. It recognizes how these workers clear roads, restore power, and ensure public safety in hazardous conditions, often working long hours in dangerous weather. The resolution specifically encourages Missourians to acknowledge these workers' dedication and exercise caution while crews are operating. It does not create new laws, funding, or obligations - it is purely a gesture of appreciation addressed to local departments through state associations.

Maddy summaryHB 3338 prohibits Missouri courts and state agencies from enforcing rules or mandates from international organizations (like the UN or World Health Organization) or foreign laws that violate fundamental rights. It specifically voids court decisions, contracts, or arbitration rulings that rely on Shari'a law or other foreign legal systems in areas like marriage, custody, or inheritance if they conflict with constitutional rights. The law defines "fundamental rights" as those protected by Missouri and U.S. constitutions, including due process, free speech, and religious freedom. It does not apply to religious organizations' internal matters, voluntary corporate agreements, or federal treaties.

Maddy summaryHCR 50 is a symbolic resolution (not a binding law) passed by Missouri's legislature. It formally rejects the Supreme Court's 2015 Obergefell v. Hodges ruling that legalized same-sex marriage nationwide and asks the Court to reverse that decision. The resolution argues Obergefell violates constitutional principles, undermines state authority over marriage, and conflicts with Missouri's 2004 voter-approved constitutional amendment defining marriage as between one man and one woman. It does not change marriage laws in Missouri or elsewhere, as resolutions like this have no legal effect on court rulings.

Maddy summaryHB 3377 allows local governments (political subdivisions) to choose whether to classify specific public safety workers as "public safety personnel" for retirement purposes. If a local government votes to cover telecommunicator first responders, jailors, road crew workers, lineworkers, and emergency medical service personnel under this designation, these employees would qualify for a reduced minimum retirement age (from 65 to 55). The local government must certify its election to the retirement board within 10 days, with the change taking effect on the first day of the next calendar month. Once adopted, the election applies to all current and future employees in those roles, and the local government must adjust its retirement contributions accordingly.

Maddy summaryHB 3412 requires long-term care facilities to maintain either $1 million in liability insurance or a segregated reserve fund to cover abuse, neglect, or wrongful death claims against residents. It specifies violations that could trigger license revocation, including failing inspections, felony convictions related to facility operations, or failing to maintain required insurance/reserve funds. The bill mandates that the state department post facility survey results, deficiency findings, and abuse/neglect substantiations on a public website with a visible icon for 36 months, along with complaint investigation timelines (30 days) and accessible results for the public. These provisions directly affect licensed long-term care facilities and their residents in the state.

Maddy summaryHJR 162 would require at least 20% of eligible voters to cast ballots in elections for new property tax bonds or renewals of existing property tax levies. For such measures to pass, they must also receive majority support from voters who participate. This directly affects local governments and school districts seeking to fund services like roads or schools through property tax levies. The bill sets these dual thresholds to ensure broader community engagement before tax-related measures can be approved.