Rep. Michael Johnson

Maddy summaryHB 3265 eliminates court-imposed fines and fees for minors involved in juvenile court cases. It specifically repeals provisions allowing courts to assess up to $10 toward the clerk of court for juveniles, removing this financial burden. The bill directly affects children and families navigating juvenile court proceedings, particularly in cases involving delinquency or dependency. Key mechanisms include removing fee assessments from court orders and updating procedures to prioritize child welfare services over financial penalties. This change aims to prevent economic barriers from impacting juvenile justice outcomes.

Maddy summaryHB 3267 prohibits releasing chemicals or apparatus into Missouri's atmosphere with the purpose of altering weather, temperature, or sunlight intensity. It grants Missouri's Air Conservation Commission the authority to establish enforcement standards and guidelines for this prohibition. The Department of Natural Resources would then develop specific rules and regulations to implement the law, subject to state rulemaking procedures. The bill directly affects any entity or individual conducting activities that could modify weather conditions within Missouri.

Maddy summaryHB 3268 creates a tax credit for Missouri businesses or organizations that provide specific services to homeless individuals. Eligible entities must be certified by the Department of Economic Development as providers of employment services, direct employment (at minimum wage for 28+ hours/week), or housing (rented/leased at income-based rates). Certified providers can claim up to $10,000 annually against their state income tax, with a total annual cap of $1 million across all credits. The program expires December 31, 2032, unless renewed by the legislature.

Maddy summaryHB 3266 establishes a formal bill of rights for people experiencing homelessness in the state. It guarantees specific protections, including the right to move freely in public spaces, receive equal treatment from government agencies, access emergency medical care, maintain reasonable privacy for personal belongings, vote with necessary documentation, and keep personal records confidential. The law explicitly prohibits denying these rights solely due to homelessness, ensuring existing legal protections apply equally to all residents regardless of housing status.

Maddy summaryHB 3542, the "Community Safety and Law Enforcement Integrity Act," prohibits state and local law enforcement agencies from using public funds, personnel, or facilities to assist federal immigration enforcement or entering into immigration enforcement agreements with the federal government. It requires immediate termination of existing agreements and imposes civil penalties of $25,000 per violation, with funds going to public schools. The bill directly affects county sheriffs, local police departments, and state agencies by restricting their cooperation with federal immigration authorities, while also requiring ICE agents to display identification and obtain warrants for home entries during operations.

Maddy summaryHB 3543 allows Missouri counties to create a property tax exemption for disabled veterans' primary homes starting in 2027. It defines "disabled veteran" as a Missouri resident with a service-connected disability (100% disabled or compensating for unemployability) who owns and occupies their home. The exemption covers up to $32,500 or the federal maximum amount of property tax, and it extends to surviving spouses or minor children who continue living in the home. Counties must seek voter approval for a replacement sales tax to offset lost revenue before implementing the exemption.

Maddy summaryHB 2680 requires Missouri high school career and technical education (CTE) programs to offer courses leading to insurance licensing and certification. The bill mandates that the state education department develop a model curriculum framework for insurance certification, to be available for use starting in the 2027-28 school year. By the 2028-29 school year, all CTE programs must adopt this framework or a substantially similar one. This policy directly affects Missouri high school students enrolled in CTE programs, providing a structured pathway to obtain insurance industry credentials.

Maddy summaryHB 2677 generally prohibits using a defendant's creative or artistic expression (like art, music, poetry, or literature) as evidence in criminal trials. It allows limited exceptions only if the state proves by clear evidence that: the expression was intended literally (not figuratively), directly relates to specific crime facts, addresses a disputed issue, and has unique value beyond other evidence. If admitted, courts must redact the evidence for juries and provide specific instructions about its limited use. This bill directly affects defendants in criminal cases whose creative works might otherwise be used against them.

Maddy summaryHB 2673, the "Veterans Well-Being and Resource Outreach Act," would require the Department of Mental Health to create a program encouraging local veterans' organizations to conduct monthly wellness checks for veterans at risk of isolation, homelessness, or mental health crises. The program would use noninvasive outreach to invite at-risk veterans to participate, with check-ins conducted twice monthly by trained veterans or staff who assess medical, housing, mental health, and vocational needs in real time. Organizations participating would not be mandated but would follow state-developed guidelines for implementation. The bill is currently in early legislative stages (prefiled January 2026) and has not yet been enacted.

Maddy summaryHB 2676 ensures inmates receive credit for all time spent in custody after an offense occurred but before their sentence began, including retroactive credit for those held before August 28, 2023. It requires sheriffs and custodial officers to certify pre-sentence custody time, which must be applied toward the sentence regardless of when the offense happened. The bill also clarifies that time served under a vacated sentence counts toward a new sentence and that escapes interrupt both the sentence and credit calculation. This directly affects all individuals sentenced to imprisonment in the state, ensuring they receive full credit for pre-sentence detention. The law mandates that credit cannot exceed the actual time spent in custody prior to sentencing.