Rep. Jeff Coleman

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 summaryHJR 153 proposes a constitutional amendment to change how judges are selected in Missouri courts. It would replace current election-based selection with a system where the governor appoints judges (with Senate approval) from a list of nominees recommended by a nonpartisan judicial commission. The amendment also establishes a new seven-year term for all judges, including circuit and associate circuit judges, instead of varying terms under current law. Voters in certain counties could later choose through a ballot measure whether to maintain this appointment system or revert to elections. This change would affect all judges serving in Missouri's circuit courts, associate circuit courts, and higher courts, with the proposal requiring voter approval in the 2026 election.

Maddy summaryHB 2234 requires Missouri counties to report and transfer unclaimed surplus funds from real property tax sales to the State Treasurer's Unclaimed Property division after three years. It directly affects counties (which handle the funds) and former property owners or lienholders who might reclaim unclaimed money. The bill mandates that counties hold surplus funds for three years (or 90 days after the redemption period ends), prioritize distribution to lienholders and owners, and notify former owners before transferring unclaimed funds to the state. Counties must provide written claim procedures and file claims with the county commission within 90 days of the redemption period's end.

Maddy summaryHJR 154 proposes a constitutional amendment requiring work requirements for Missouri's MO HealthNet program (state Medicaid) for certain adults. It would affect individuals aged 19-65 who qualify under federal Medicaid rules (income at or below 133% of the federal poverty level), are not pregnant, disabled, or enrolled in other federal health programs. The bill mandates documentary proof of work compliance at application and monthly to maintain coverage, prohibits self-attestation, and requires state plan changes to implement this by 2027. It does not change income eligibility thresholds but adds a new administrative requirement for this specific group.

Maddy summaryHB 2139 would invalidate court rulings, contracts, or arbitration decisions that apply Shari'a law or any foreign legal system violating U.S. or Missouri constitutional rights. It directly affects parties in legal disputes or contracts where foreign law is chosen or applied, including contracts with foreign jurisdiction clauses. Key provisions prohibit courts from enforcing such agreements and forbid transferring cases to foreign tribunals that would violate constitutional rights. Exceptions include religious organizations' internal matters, voluntary corporate agreements with foreign law, and cases where federal law overrides state law. The bill is currently in early legislative stages (prefiled, first reading) and has not been enacted.

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.

Maddy summaryHJR 119 proposes a constitutional amendment to change how judges are selected in Missouri. It would require the governor to appoint judges from three nominees provided by a nonpartisan judicial commission for vacancies in the supreme court, court of appeals, and St. Louis city/Jackson County circuit courts. For other judicial circuits, voters would decide at elections whether to adopt this appointment method (instead of the current system) or maintain the existing process, with changes allowed only once every four years. The amendment must be approved by voters in 2026.

Maddy summaryHB 2207 establishes Missouri's "Electric Choice and Competition Law," shifting the state's electricity market from a monopoly structure to one allowing customers to choose their electricity supplier. It requires electric utilities to provide open access to their transmission and distribution systems, enabling retail electric suppliers to sell directly to customers. Starting 24 months after August 28, 2026, commercial and industrial customers (those with higher energy use) will gain the ability to select a supplier, while residential customers will receive default supply service if they do not choose an alternative. The bill also standardizes billing (requiring either "dual bills" or "supplier consolidated bills") and creates mechanisms like a "competitive transition charge" to recover legacy costs from the monopoly era over time.

Maddy summaryHB 2233 establishes a framework for competitive electricity markets in Missouri, allowing residential and commercial customers to choose their electricity supplier starting 24 months after August 28, 2026. It directly affects residential customers, small/medium/large commercial businesses (defined by peak load), and investor-owned electric utilities, requiring utilities to provide open access to their transmission and distribution systems. Key provisions include creating "default supply service" for customers who don’t choose a new provider, mandating rate unbundling (separating supply and delivery costs), and implementing a "competitive transition charge" to recover legacy costs over time. The bill does not apply to municipal utilities or rural cooperatives unless they voluntarily opt into the competitive market.

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.