Rep. Doyle Justus

Maddy summaryHB 3005 establishes a formal process for reviewing requests to remove or relocate library materials in public libraries and school libraries. It requires libraries to create and publicly post clear policies for reconsideration, which can only occur after a formal request from a community member (for public libraries) or a parent/guardian (for school libraries), and only after the material has been reviewed per the policy. The bill specifies that digital materials can be removed at the article or issue level without disrupting entire databases, and prohibits removal during pending reviews. It also protects library staff from retaliation for refusing to remove materials before proper review.

Maddy summaryHB 2765 establishes new licensing categories for hemp beverage businesses in Missouri, including manufacturers, wholesalers, and retailers. It defines key terms like "hemp beverage" (products containing hemp plant parts or hemp-derived compounds) and sets specific operational rules, such as requiring hemp retailers to hold an active alcohol license and prohibiting businesses from holding multiple license types (e.g., a manufacturer can’t also operate as a retailer). The bill also restricts import/export of unfinished hemp extract to U.S.-cultivated products and bans hemp businesses from holding marijuana facility licenses. These provisions directly affect companies seeking to legally produce, distribute, or sell hemp-based beverages within the state.

Maddy summaryHB 3076 clarifies Missouri's water pollution rules by specifying when agricultural and industrial wastewater storage systems do not require state permits. It exempts earthen basins storing non-toxic soil/silt materials from construction permits and clarifies that certain agricultural wastewater storage (like basins holding nonmetallic materials) is not subject to federal permitting. The bill also establishes buffer distances between large wastewater storage basins (over 500,000 gallons) and homes/residences, and mandates annual testing for metals and bacteria in commingled industrial wastewater storage. This directly affects farms, fertilizer producers, and industrial facilities managing wastewater storage.

Maddy summaryHB 3174 requires all public school districts and charter schools to implement a wearable panic alert system for emergency responses. The bill mandates that schools provide each employee with a wearable device to instantly contact emergency services, trigger real-time location tracking (room/floor level), and activate automated visual, audio, and digital alerts throughout the school. Schools must also create detailed digital emergency response maps showing building layouts, emergency equipment locations, and asset tags for devices, sharing these maps with law enforcement at no cost. A dedicated "Panic Alert System Fund" will manage implementation costs, with schools required to train staff annually before each school year begins.

Maddy summaryHB 3304 changes penalties for owners of dogs that bite people or animals. It increases penalties based on bite history and severity: a second bite becomes a misdemeanor, serious injury raises it to a higher misdemeanor or felony, and death makes it a felony. The bill requires immediate seizure and destruction of the dog after a bite (with a 10-day hold for appeals), unless the victim was engaged in criminal activity at the time. Dog owners can appeal the seizure in court within 30 days, but the dog remains impounded during the appeal. This directly affects dog owners whose pets bite, and excludes liability if the victim was committing a crime (excluding minor trespassing by children under 12).

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 summaryHB 137 allows electrical, gas, and water utility companies in the state to recover costs spent on workforce development programs through customer rates. These programs fund education and training in utility-related fields (like STEM, skilled crafts, and vocational programs) at schools or for students in the state. Utilities can defer these costs as a regulatory asset for recovery in rate cases, but only if spending stays under 0.55% of their 2023 operating revenue and ends by December 31, 2035. The bill directly affects utility companies by enabling them to pass these training costs to ratepayers while limiting the amount recoverable.

Maddy summaryHB 1146 requires public libraries and school libraries to create and publicly post clear policies for reviewing community complaints about library materials. It mandates that anyone filing a complaint must sign an affidavit confirming they read the material and live in the library’s district, and it prohibits removing materials before this review process. The bill specifically governs digital library materials (like e-books and databases), requiring removals to happen at the title or article level without disrupting other access, and bans tracking of individual user access. It also protects library staff from retaliation for refusing to remove materials before a proper review under the new policy.

Maddy summaryHJR 6 proposes a constitutional amendment to expand property tax exemptions in Missouri, primarily affecting disabled veterans and their surviving spouses. The amendment would exempt the primary home (homestead) of disabled veterans - defined as those certified by the VA for 100% service-connected disability - and their surviving spouses (if they continue living in the home) from property taxes. It also maintains existing exemptions for business inventories (e.g., manufacturers' raw materials and retailers' stock) and properties used by religious, charitable, or educational organizations. The amendment requires voter approval in Missouri’s 2026 general election.

Maddy summaryHB 1472 requires all public school districts and charter schools to provide every classroom employee with mobile panic-alert devices enabling immediate two-way communication with local emergency services, law enforcement, fire departments, and school administration. The bill mandates annual training for all school employees on using the technology before the start of each school year. It directly affects teachers, staff, and school administrators by establishing a standardized safety protocol for emergency response within school facilities. The key provision is the requirement for real-time, two-way communication tools to streamline emergency coordination during critical incidents.