Rep. Michael Johnson

Maddy summaryHB 2675 requires the state Department of Mental Health to apply for federal grant funding to create a statewide mobile mental health unit program. If funded, the program would partner with local health agencies to deploy vehicles that provide mental health information, reduce stigma around mental health and substance use, connect people to community care, and help schedule appointments. The mobile units would operate across communities to improve access to behavioral health services and promote public awareness. This is a procedural bill focused on securing federal resources to launch the initiative, not direct funding.

Maddy summaryHB 2674 requires private Missouri employers to allow employees unpaid leave for at least one mental health appointment per week. It defines "mental health appointment" as visits under four hours with a provider for mental disorders, excluding public employers. Employees must provide 48 hours' notice (or certification after unscheduled absences), and employers may request sworn statements plus provider documentation - keeping all records confidential. The bill clarifies this leave cannot exceed federal FMLA limits and does not override existing policies offering more generous mental health benefits. Employers must annually inform employees of these rights.

Maddy summaryHB 2678 creates a process for parole hearings for offenders who were adolescents (18-21 years old) when they committed their crimes and are serving 25+ year sentences. It requires the parole board to grant a hearing after 15 years of incarceration, mandating an institutional parole officer to investigate rehabilitation efforts (including work, programs, and behavior) and prepare a report. The bill also requires 12 months' written notice to victims or their families about the hearing, including their right to attend and provide input. If parole is granted, offenders face 3-10 years of supervised release (depending on offense type), and denied parole applicants must wait 3 years for a second hearing.

Maddy summaryHB 2679 creates a tax deduction for Missouri residents who open "First-Time Business Owner Savings Accounts" to fund new business startups. Eligible individuals - defined as those who have never owned a business before and identify as members of a racial, ethnic, religious, or cultural minority - can deduct 50% of annual contributions (up to $800 for single filers or $1,600 for joint filers) from their state taxable income. The savings account must be used for eligible startup costs (like equipment, legal fees, or rent) within six years, with total contributions capped at $20,000 per account. The program expires automatically in 2033 unless reauthorized by the legislature.

Maddy summaryHB 2684 designates J. Rieger & Co. as the official Kansas City whiskey of Missouri. The bill recognizes the company's historical significance as the largest mail-order whiskey house in the U.S. before Prohibition and its role as the first whiskey distilled in Kansas City since Prohibition, following its 2015 revival. This is a ceremonial designation with no regulatory or financial impact on the company or state operations. The bill does not create new laws or affect any policies beyond this symbolic recognition.

Maddy summaryHB 2685 designates the week of September 24-30 each year in Missouri as "Historically Black College and University Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion Week." The bill encourages Missouri citizens to participate in events celebrating the diversity, equity, and inclusion goals exemplified by HBCUs. It has no funding requirements or policy changes - it is a symbolic recognition of HBCUs' contributions to education and community values. The bill is currently in early legislative stages (prefiled and read once).

Maddy summaryHB 2681 allows volunteer fire departments, counties, municipalities, or groups of employers to purchase supplemental workers' compensation insurance for volunteer firefighters injured while on duty. This supplemental coverage provides additional payments beyond standard workers' compensation benefits, including temporary disability payments. Entities already self-insuring their workers' compensation (like volunteer fire departments) may optionally fund this coverage through their existing self-insurance plans or use general tax revenues not designated for other purposes. The bill modifies existing rules to clarify how this optional supplemental coverage can be arranged and paid for.

Maddy summaryHB 2683 clarifies the legal definition of "machine gun" to include firearms capable of automatic fire with a single trigger pull, as well as those modified with devices like bump stocks, auto sears, or "Glock switches." This definition affects law enforcement, courts, and legal proceedings involving firearm regulations, ensuring consistent application of state laws regarding automatic weapons. The bill does not create new restrictions but updates terminology to align with modern firearm modifications. It directly impacts how machine guns are categorized under state law, particularly for prosecution of offenses involving such weapons.

Maddy summaryHB 1897 requires Missouri's Department of Health and Senior Services to issue licenses to any applicant meeting minimum standards for marijuana cultivation, dispensary, or infused products facilities. It removes existing regulatory limits on the number of licenses while allowing denial if an applicant would exceed the 10% ownership cap for certain licenses under Missouri's constitution. The bill directly affects applicants seeking these licenses and the licensing department, mandating approval unless constitutional ownership limits are violated. It makes no changes to the constitutional requirements themselves but modifies how the department processes applications.

Maddy summaryHJR 115 proposes a constitutional amendment to create a property tax exemption for Missouri disabled veterans and their surviving spouses. It defines a "disabled veteran" as a Missouri resident honorably separated from military service with a 100% VA-certified service-connected disability, and a "homestead" as their primary residence (not exceeding 2.5 acres). The exemption would apply to real property used as a primary home, excluding portions rented for more than six months annually. This amendment requires voter approval in the 2026 general election and would replace the current property tax exemption provisions in Missouri's constitution.