Rep. Lane Roberts

Maddy summaryHB 1867 allows the city of Joplin to increase its transient guest tax on hotel and motel stays to a maximum of six percent, but only after voters approve the change through a local election. The tax would be added to the room charge and collected by hotels/motels, with all revenue dedicated exclusively to funding Joplin’s convention and visitors bureau. This bill amends Missouri law to create a specific exception for Joplin, which would otherwise be subject to a standard five percent cap for cities of its size. The tax must be listed separately on guests’ bills and cannot replace any existing taxes.

Maddy summaryHB 3206 replaces Missouri's existing regulations for tobacco, alternative nicotine, and vapor products with new definitions and requirements. It directly affects manufacturers, wholesalers, retailers, and distributors of these products by creating a new licensing system (requiring a $100 annual license) and defining key terms like "vapor product" (e.g., e-cigarettes) and "nicotine analogue" (substances mimicking nicotine's effects). The bill establishes a tax collection system based on the "first sale within the state" and mandates tax stamps for cigarettes. These changes aim to clarify regulatory boundaries and tax collection procedures for these products within Missouri.

Maddy summaryHB 2660, titled the "Second Amendment Preservation Act," aims to protect Missouri residents' gun rights by prohibiting state officials from enforcing certain federal firearm laws it deems unconstitutional. It requires investigations into law enforcement officers who knowingly violate Second Amendment rights and creates legal avenues for citizens to seek court relief against such violations. The bill declares Missouri's opposition to federal gun regulations that restrict firearm ownership, possession, or use within the state, arguing these exceed federal constitutional authority. It directly affects state officials, law enforcement, and gun owners by establishing a framework for state-level resistance to federal gun policies.

Maddy summaryHB 2109 proposes creating "family justice centers" that bring together multiple service providers - like law enforcement, medical staff, victim advocates, and social workers - into one location to support victims of domestic violence, sexual assault, child abuse, elder abuse, and human trafficking. These centers must maintain strict confidentiality for all victim information, cannot require victims to cooperate with law enforcement to access services, and protect staff from liability when acting in good faith. The bill also adds criminal penalties (up to a class D felony) for tampering with victims or witnesses, including threats, deception, or offering benefits to prevent reporting or prosecution. It affects victims of specified crimes and the organizations providing their services.

Maddy summaryHB 1865 requires Missouri's division of probation and parole to create and maintain a public website listing the names of offenders convicted of second-degree murder who are on probation. The list must include individuals found guilty or who pled guilty to second-degree murder under Missouri law and are under the division's supervision. The division must update the list when such an offender is placed on probation, released, or relocates to Missouri under an interstate compact. This provision applies exclusively to second-degree murder cases and does not affect other offenses.

Maddy summaryHB 3105, titled the "Second Amendment Preservation Act," protects Missouri residents' right to possess firearms by declaring federal gun regulations within the state invalid if they exceed constitutional limits. It grants the state attorney general or county prosecutors authority to sue federal officials for infringing on these rights and requires disciplinary action for law enforcement officers who knowingly violate them. The bill also affirms Missouri's exclusive authority to regulate firearms, including maintaining the existing federal excise tax on firearms, which it states does not restrict lawful ownership.

Maddy summaryThis bill establishes insurance coverage provisions for orthotic, prosthetic, and assistive devices for individuals enrolled in Missouri's MO HealthNet program, which provides health care to low-income residents. The legislation outlines specific payment rules and coverage limits for various health services, including hospital care, physician services, prescription drugs, and home health care, while explicitly excluding certain providers like abortion facilities from receiving funds. Key provisions include setting payment amounts at no more than 80% of reasonable costs for outpatient services, limiting chiropractic visits to 20 per year, and restricting nursing home coverage for those with significant home equity. The bill also defines eligibility criteria and payment methodologies for different types of care, ensuring services are medically necessary and aligned with federal regulations.

Maddy summaryThis bill limits digital instruction to 45 minutes daily for elementary students in kindergarten through grade five and requires at least 70% of assignments to be completed using pen, paper, or handwriting practice. It mandates daily access to printed books, hands-on learning tools (like blocks or science materials) in core subjects, and explicit cursive handwriting instruction starting in grade two, with requirements to read/write legible cursive by grade five. Exemptions apply for students with IEPs or 504 plans, and schools must adopt written technology-use policies, report device usage, and verify compliance with paper-based and cursive requirements. The law takes effect for the 2027-28 school year.

Maddy summaryHB 1870 modifies Missouri's garnishment laws by increasing the value limits for property debtors can keep exempt from creditors. It raises the household goods exemption to $17,000 (from $3,000) and tools of trade exemption to $6,000 (from $3,000), while also increasing vehicle and mobile home exemptions. The bill reduces the jewelry exemption to $1,700 (from $5,000) and adjusts other categories like life insurance benefits. This directly affects Missouri residents facing debt collection, allowing them to retain more personal assets during garnishment proceedings.

Maddy summaryHB 1866 changes Missouri's peace officer licensing rules by requiring the director of the Department of Public Safety to deny a license application if the applicant is not a U.S. citizen, had a previous peace officer license permanently revoked or surrendered, or has other issues that would lead to disciplinary action if licensed. The director may instead grant a license with conditions or deny it, and must provide written notice of the decision. Applicants denied a license can appeal to an administrative hearing within 30 days, but the hearing will not reconsider the severity of the issue or rehabilitation efforts. This bill replaces the existing licensing criteria with these specific denial conditions.