Rep. Ray Reed

Maddy summaryHB 3319 modifies the personal needs allowance for Missouri HealthNet participants residing in institutional care facilities. It sets a minimum monthly allowance of $30 (or the federal minimum if higher) and requires annual increases tied to Social Security cost-of-living adjustments or the Consumer Price Index, capped at $70 per month. The allowance increases by up to $5 yearly until reaching $70, after which it adjusts annually based on the national Consumer Price Index. This directly affects low-income Missourians in long-term care facilities who must cover some care costs from their income.

Maddy summaryHB 1738 would allow registered voters to request an absentee ballot without providing a specific reason (such as illness, travel, or religious observance) for a three-week period before an election. This change removes the current requirement that voters list a qualifying justification to access absentee voting. The bill applies to absentee ballots requested by mail or other non-in-person methods, while maintaining standard requirements like photo ID verification. It aims to simplify the absentee voting process by expanding access during a fixed pre-election window.

Maddy summaryHB 2519 expands Missouri's hate crime definitions to include offenses motivated by race, religion, national origin, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, or disability. It upgrades penalties for hate-motivated crimes to class D or E felonies and requires law enforcement agencies to report such offenses. The bill mandates new training for peace officers, including six hours on hate offense identification and victim assistance for those licensed after 2026, and six hours on racial profiling and bias for those licensed after 2027. These changes directly affect law enforcement officers, prosecutors, and court systems by altering how hate crimes are defined, prosecuted, and handled during officer training.

Maddy summaryHB 2525 requires the state to prioritize bidders whose employees are union members for state contracts in construction, infrastructure, healthcare, education, public safety, and water/waste management sectors. This applies only when competing bids offer equal quality and price, or when bids are otherwise comparable. The bill defines "labor organization" broadly as any group focused on collective bargaining, grievance handling, or mutual employment protection. It directly affects state contractors in these specific industries by creating a preference for unionized labor under defined conditions. The bill is currently in early legislative stages with no votes taken yet.

Maddy summaryHB 2518 ensures DACA recipients who meet all educational and professional requirements for a licensed occupation in the state can obtain a license on the same terms as U.S. citizens or legal permanent residents. It prohibits oversight bodies (like licensing boards) from considering immigration status when reviewing applications, requiring evaluations to be based solely on qualifications, education, and competency. The bill directly affects DACA recipients seeking professions requiring state licenses (e.g., healthcare, law, trades) and mandates that their licenses carry identical rights, renewability, and validity periods as those issued to citizens. The law takes effect for all applications submitted on or after August 28, 2026.

Maddy summaryHB 2521 abolishes the death penalty for murder in the first degree in Missouri, replacing it with a mandatory life imprisonment sentence without parole. The bill specifically requires courts to sentence individuals convicted of murder in the first degree to life in prison without eligibility for parole, probation, or release except by the governor's action. It applies to all new convictions and requires existing death sentences to be automatically converted to life imprisonment without parole. The legislation repeals all Missouri statutes allowing the death penalty for this offense and updates sentencing classifications accordingly. This change directly affects all individuals convicted of murder in the first degree under Missouri law.

Maddy summaryHB 2523 revises Missouri's firearm definitions and restrictions by creating new legal terms for weapons like "military-style semi-automatic firearms" (defined as those capable of high-rate firing via modifications) and "concealable firearms" (short-barreled weapons). It prohibits carrying concealed weapons in restricted areas, discharging firearms within 100 yards of schools or buildings, and handling firearms while intoxicated. The bill directly affects individuals carrying weapons, particularly near schools or in public buildings, and clarifies enforcement for offenses like discharging guns near occupied structures. These changes replace prior sections of Missouri law (RSMo 571.205-571.225) with updated definitions and restrictions.

Maddy summaryHB 2524 prohibits Missouri local governments and law enforcement from cooperating with federal immigration enforcement in ways that involve racial profiling or violate constitutional rights. It requires annual training for law enforcement on constitutional rights and allows local entities to share immigration status information with federal authorities (like ICE) only when there is a documented public safety concern. The bill also blocks state funding for local agencies that restrict such cooperation or violate these rules, while exempting agencies administering federal benefit programs. It directly affects local law enforcement, government entities, and public employees handling immigration-related information.

Maddy summaryHB 2520 requires Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) agents operating in Missouri to reveal their identity during enforcement actions, prohibiting masks or face coverings that obscure their face. Exceptions include transparent face shields, medical masks for health protection, safety gear like helmets or respirators, and motorcycle helmets during vehicle operation. The law applies to all ICE agents in Missouri during routine operations, with violations punishable as a class A misdemeanor, though it excludes undercover agents and Special Response Team members during active duties.

Maddy summaryHB 2522 allows individuals with specific U.S. federal employment authorizations to obtain professional or occupational licenses (like for nursing or contracting) if they provide two documents: an unexpired DHS employment authorization card (Form I-766) and proof they meet federal REAL ID Act criteria. Licenses issued under this bill are only valid for the same period as the employment authorization document. The bill explicitly states it does not change other license requirements, grant access to public benefits beyond licensing, or alter immigration status. It directly affects immigrants with certain work permits who seek licensed professions but does not impact unrelated licensing rules or eligibility for other government assistance.