Rep. Scott Miller

Maddy summaryHB 2366 prohibits Missouri employers from knowingly hiring individuals without legal work authorization. It requires businesses receiving state contracts over $5,000, tax credits, or state-administered loans to verify employees’ work eligibility through federal programs and submit annual sworn affidavits. The state attorney general would enforce these rules, with businesses able to use federal program participation as a defense against violations. Emergency periods (like natural disasters) temporarily suspend the verification requirement for 15 days.

Maddy summaryHB 1744 establishes a Quality Control Committee for Oversight to define student success metrics and reform Missouri's education system. It abolishes the current Department of Education, transferring its duties to the Department of Elementary and Secondary Education, and requires all schools (including public, private, charter, home, and early childhood programs) to incorporate specific "Key Performance Indicators" (KPIs) into curricula. These KPIs include measurable student behaviors like attendance, respect, initiative, and work ethic, which must be demonstrated by high school graduates before receiving diplomas or equivalency certificates. The committee, composed of state department representatives and legislators, will define standards, monitor compliance, and validate post-graduation outcomes using data like employment and education participation. The bill directly affects every educational entity in Missouri by mandating alignment with these new performance standards.

Maddy summaryHB 1742 restricts minors' access to companion chatbots - AI systems designed to mimic human relationships and provide emotional support - by requiring age verification before access and banning their use on devices regularly used by minors. It prohibits covered platforms from deceiving users about the chatbot's non-human nature, implementing systems to prevent emotional dependence, or using human-like avatars. The bill specifically excludes customer service bots, video game features, and basic voice assistants from these requirements. It directly affects minors under 18 and platforms offering companion chatbots for recreational or relational purposes. The law takes effect upon passage, with no provisions for enforcement details in the current text.

Maddy summaryHB 1751 creates new rules for Missouri political campaigns. It requires candidates to declare a party affiliation matching their voter registration (appearing on ballots) and report this to the Ethics Commission, while allowing independent candidacies. The bill limits cash spending to $50 per transaction and $5,000 annually, prohibits anonymous contributions over $25, and mandates detailed disclosure of all contribution sources. Additionally, it requires all political ads and printed materials to clearly state "Paid for by" followed by the sponsor's name, ensuring transparency in campaign funding and advertising.

Maddy summaryHJR 116 proposes a constitutional amendment for Missouri that would require the full text of any initiative petition seeking a constitutional amendment to appear on the ballot. It would also limit such petitions to a maximum of seventy-five words, including any existing or repealed language. This bill directly affects individuals or groups attempting to place constitutional amendment proposals on Missouri ballots through the initiative process. If passed, it would change the requirements for submitting initiative petitions for constitutional amendments.

Maddy summaryHJR 117 proposes adding a new constitutional section to Missouri's Constitution that would generally prevent the state from passing laws interfering with private parties setting prices or compensation in markets. It specifically exempts existing state-regulated industries and laws protecting communities' use of shared natural resources. The amendment also ensures existing contracts remain valid under current terms until their natural expiration or renewal, without affecting pending legal actions. This is a constitutional amendment requiring voter approval in 2026, not an immediate law. It directly affects how future state legislation could regulate pricing in commerce.

Maddy summaryHB 2552 defines false imprisonment as unlawfully restraining or blocking someone's movement without consent, directly affecting anyone who restricts another person's freedom of movement. It classifies basic false imprisonment as a class A misdemeanor, escalating to a class E felony if the victim is moved out of state. Key provisions include linking false imprisonment to third-degree assault if physical contact occurs, and establishing specific scenarios where fear for one's life is presumed (e.g., within 7 feet of an aggressive person or 75 feet while objects are thrown). The law also covers blocking access to occupied vehicles or buildings during felony offenses, with "willful blocking" explicitly including actions like gripping someone or forming groups that obstruct sidewalks or roadways.

Maddy summaryHB 2555 modifies public protest rules and clarifies lobbying definitions. It requires assembly protesters to yield to vehicles on roadways and pedestrians on walkways, except when a political subdivision grants a special permit closing the roadway. The bill also defines key terms for lobbyists, including "executive lobbyist" (covering those paid or designated to influence government action) and "general lobbyist" (for those compensated to organize protests), while specifying what counts as a lobbying-related "expenditure." It excludes certain activities like routine tax filings, campaign contributions, or de minimis gifts from the definition of lobbying spending.

Maddy summaryHB 2554 raises the annual sales threshold for small businesses to qualify for minimum wage exemptions from $500,000 to $11.1 million, effective 2028. It requires this threshold to be adjusted annually based on inflation using the Consumer Price Index, with updates published each October. This directly affects small retail or service businesses that would otherwise be required to pay minimum wage to their employees. The change modifies existing exemptions but does not alter other categories of exempt workers listed in the bill.

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.