Citizen Initiative Petitions
Bill #s: HB 414 and HB 684
LWVMO OPPOSES these bills
Short Description: Prohibits any court from changing summary or ballot language on a constitutional amendment approved by the legislature.
Status of the Bill: Scheduled for a Hearing on Tuesday, February 11 at 8:00 AM in the House Elections Committee.
Talking points:
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Provision only for legislatively referred constitutional amendments; citizen initiative petitions would be held to a different standard of review by the courts
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Removes the ability of citizens to challenge unconstitutional or misleading language in legislatively referred constitutional amendments by prohibiting courts from changing summary statements
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Missouri has a history of misleading summary statements that have been rectified only through court action
Link to the summary of the bill: HB 414 HB 684
Call to action:
5 for Democracy: Provide testimony to OPPOSE these bills. HB 414 HB 684
LWV Position: The League of Women Voters of the United States believes that democratic government depends upon informed and active participation at all levels of government. The League further believes that governmental bodies must protect the citizen’s right to know by giving adequate notice of proposed actions, holding open meetings, and making public records accessible. (LWVUS Impact on Issues 2024 - 2026, p. 59)
Bill #: SB 22
LWVMO OPPOSES this bill
Short Description: This bill would prohibit courts from re-writing summary statements on legislatively referred constitutional amendments.
Status of the Bill: Has been placed on the Formal Perfection Calendar in the Senate for Monday, February 10 at 8:00 AM.
Talking points:
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Provision only for legislatively referred constitutional amendments; citizen initiative petitions would be held to a different standard of review by the courts
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Removes the ability of citizens to challenge unconstitutional or misleading language in legislatively referred constitutional amendments by prohibiting courts from changing summary statements
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Missouri has a history of misleading summary statements that have been rectified only through court action
Link to the summary of the bill: SB 22
Call to action:
30 Minute Matters: Contact your Senator using the Legislator Lookup site and tell them you OPPOSE this bill. HERE
LWV Position: The League of Women Voters of the United States believes that democratic government depends upon informed and active participation at all levels of government. The League further believes that governmental bodies must protect the citizen’s right to know by giving adequate notice of proposed actions, holding open meetings, and making public records accessible. (LWVUS Impact on Issues 2024 - 2026, p. 59)
Bill #s: HB 551, HB 575
LWVMO OPPOSES these bills
Short Description: Makes it harder for the public to use the Initiative Petition process.
Status of the Bills: Scheduled for Executive Session on Tuesday, February 11 at 8:00 AM in the House Elections Committee.
Talking points:
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Imposes restrictions on petition circulators
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Repeals requirement for a public comment period within 30 days of Secretary Of State certifying signatures
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Requires final adjudication of a challenge to the official ballot title or fiscal note to occur at least 8 weeks before an election date
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Creates a scenario where a court challenge can result in the wholesale dismissal of gathered signatures
Link to the summaries of the bills: HB 551, HB 575
Call to action:
30 Minute Matters: Contact members of the committee and tell them you OPPOSE these bills. HERE. Click on the member’s picture to be taken to their home page and contact information.
LWV Position: The League believes responsible government should be responsive to the will of the people. (LWVUS Impact on Issues, 2024 - 2026, p.57)
Voting Rights
Bill #: SB 182
LWVMO SUPPORTS this bill
Short Description: This act creates the offense of tampering with an election official.
Status of the Bill: Scheduled for a Senate Hearing on Monday, February 10 at 2:00 PM in the Senate Local Government, Elections and Pensions Committee.
Talking points:
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Election workers are necessary for a functioning democracy
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The growing incidence of election worker harassment is causing election workers to resign from positions, creating further strain on our election system
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Greater protections of election workers are necessary to ensure that we retain experienced and talented election workers
Link to the summary of the bill: SB 182
Call to action:
30 Minute Matters: Only in-person testimony is allowed at Senate hearings. Contact the members of the committee and tell them you SUPPORT this bill. HERE. Click on the member’s picture to get to their home page and contact information.
LWVMO Position: Election Security: The league supports measures aimed at protecting and retaining election workers and officials and supports penalties for those who threaten or harass election workers and officials. (LWVMO Guide to State Action, p. 7)
Bill #: HJR 67
LWVMO SUPPORTS this bill
Short Description: This bill creates less restrictive term limits on legislators.
Status of the Bill: Scheduled for a Hearing on Tuesday, February 11 at 8:00 AM in the House Elections Committee.
Talking points:
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Term limits adversely affect the accountability, ability to represent, and effective performance of legislative bodies. The proposed legislation makes the current term limit structure in Missouri less onerous
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Currently, members of the General Assembly can serve no more than eight years total in any one chamber of the legislature, nor more than 16 total in both chambers
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This proposal would remove the single chamber prohibition, allowing members of the General Assembly to serve no more than 16 years total in either chamber of the legislature
Link to the summary of the bill: HJR 67
Call to action:
5 for Democracy: Submit testimony in SUPPORT of HJR 67. HERE
LWVUS Position: "The 1992 Convention reaffirmed opposition to term limits and authorized state and local leagues to use national positions to take action on term limits for state and local offices." (LWVUS Impact on Issues 2024 - 2026, p. 73)
Education
Bill #: SB 115
LWVMO OPPOSES this bill
Short Description: This act establishes provisions relating to elementary and secondary education, including sections on “Divisive Concepts” (Critical Race Theory and Project 1619); the “Sunlight in Learning Act”; creates the “Parents’ Bill of Rights Act of 2025”; and includes provisions relating to transgender students and public school athletics.
Status of the Bill: Scheduled for a Hearing on Tuesday, February 11 at 8:00 AM in the Senate Education Committee.
Talking points:
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Legislates an issue that does not exist; critical race theory is not taught in K-12
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Limits how teachers discuss race and ethnicity
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Creates an environment where teachers are forced to continually defend their material and/ or not teach accurate history or social concepts for fear of reprisal
Link to the summary of the bill: SB 115
Call to action:
30 Minute Matters: Contact the committee members and tell them you OPPOSE this bill. HERE. Click on the Senator’s picture to be taken to their information page with contact information.
LWV Position: The League of Women Voters of the United States believes in the citizens' right to know and the right to a free public education for all. (LWVUS Impact on Issues 2024-2026, p.11). The League believes all levels of government share the responsibility to provide equality of opportunity for education, employment and housing for all persons in the United States regardless of their race, color, religion, national origin, age, sexual orientation or disability. (LWVUS Impact on Issues 2024-2026, p. 140)
Bill #s: HB 36, HB 113 and HB 624
LWVMO: These bills are FOR INFORMATION ONLY
Short Description: Modifies guidelines for student participation in athletic contests organized by sex.
Status of the Bill: Scheduled for Executive Session on Monday, February 10 at 4:30 PM in the House Emerging Issues Committee.
Talking points:
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Restrictions that are scheduled to expire in 2027 would become permanent restrictions
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Schools would only be allowed to let a student compete in an athletic competition designated for the biological sex of the student as stated on the student's official birth certificate
Link to the summaries of the bills: HB 36; HB 113; HB 624
Bill #: SB 223
LWVMO: This bill is FOR INFORMATION ONLY
Short Description: Requires the disclosure to parents of the contents of a student receiving a survey at least 24 hours in advance, and obtaining written parental consent if the survey asks any question relating to an item that is protected under the Federal Protection of Pupil Rights Amendment.
Status of the Bill: Scheduled for a Hearing on Monday, February 10 at 2:00 PM in the Senate Government Efficiency Committee.
Link to the summary of the bill: SB 223
Bill #: SB 56
LWVMO: OPPOSES this bill.
Short Description: Prohibits diversity-equity-inclusion requirements in school districts and charter schools.
Status of the Bill: Scheduled for a Hearing on Tuesday, February 11 at 8:00 AM in the Senate Education Committee.
Talking points:
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Defines diversity-equity-inclusion or "DEI" as education or training requirements, policies, or programs on the subjects of anti-racism, implicit bias, or any other related instructions that promote differential treatment based on race, gender, religion, ethnicity, and sexual preference, but not including instruction on state and federal laws prohibiting discrimination
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Limits how teachers discuss race and ethnicity
Link to the summary of the bill: SB 56
Call to action:
30 Minute matters: Only in-person testimony is allowed in Senate hearings. Contact committee members and tell them you OPPOSE this bill HERE. Click on the member’s picture to be taken to their home page and contact information.
Links to further reading: eSchool News: Districts put DEI into action
League Position: The LWVMO is an organization fully committed to diversity, equity and inclusion in principle and in practice to all persons, regardless of their race, color, gender, religion, national origin, age, sexual orientation, or disability. (Guide to State Action 2023 - 2025, p. 53)
Health Care
Bill #: SB 218
LWVMO SUPPORTS this bill
Short Description: Establishes a mental health treatment court to provide alternatives for cases that stem from mental health issues of criminal defendants.
Status of the Bill: Scheduled for a Hearing on Wednesday, February 12 at 8:00 AM in the Senate Judiciary and Civil and Criminal Jurisprudence Committee.
Talking points:
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Provides treatment to individuals with mental illness
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Reduces recidivism rates and cost of administration
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Improves the well being of the individual as well as the community
Link to the summary of the bill: SB 218
Call to action:
30 Minute Matters: Only in-person testimony is allowed in Senate hearings. Contact committee members and tell them you SUPPORT this bill. HERE. Click on the member’s picture to be taken to their home page and contact information.
LWV Position: LWVMO Supports an adequately funded mental health care system that provides comprehensive services to the acutely, chronically, and seriously mentally ill of all ages. They support a Behavioral Health system which decreases dependency on costly emergency services, reduces rates of incarceration, supports healthy recovery, and strengthens families. (LWVMO Guide to State Action 2023 - 2025, p. 35)
Firearms
Bill #: SB 74
LWVMO OPPOSES this bill
Short Description: Removes the right of local political subdivisions' rights to regulate the open carry of firearms.
Status of the Bill: Scheduled for a Hearing on Monday, February 10 at 2:00 PM in the Senate Transportation, Infrastructure and Public Safety Committee.
Talking points:
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State and federal legislation, in general, should provide a minimum standard for local policies that local governments can build on to fit their jurisdictions’ needs and constituents’ desires
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State legislation should not prohibit local governments from policy innovation and testing
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Currently, some Missouri political subdivisions can require a concealed carry permit before one can open carry; SB74 removes this right to regulate open carry
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MO is among 14 states rated as national failures in enacting sensible gun regulations (everytownresearch.org, Aug, 2024)
Link to the summary of the bill: SB 74
Call to action:
30 Minute Matters: Only in-person testimony can be given at Senate hearings. Contact committee members and tell them you OPPOSE this bill. HERE. Click on the committee member’s picture to be taken to their information page for contact information.
Links to further reading:
Eschelon Insights Survey
LWVMO Position: Protect the health and safety of citizens through limiting the accessibility of guns. Support regulation of firearms and ammunition for consumer safety.(LWVMO Guide to State Action, 2023-2025, p. 60)
LGBTQ Rights
Bill #s: HB 35, HB 1016, HB 1038, HB 1081
LWVMO OPPOSES these bills
Short Description: Modifies provisions relating to gender transition procedures.
Status of the Bill: Scheduled for Executive Session on Monday, February 10 at 4:30PM in the House Emerging Issues Committee.
Talking points:
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Interferes with the medical decisions made by parents, their children and medical professionals
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Repeals a previously agreed expiration date, permanently prohibiting these treatments
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Prevents medically necessary care established by professional medical organizations*, based on false claims of health outcomes for those with gender dysphoria* (*The American Academy of Pediatrics, The American Psychiatric Assoc.,The American Academy of Child and Adolescent Psychiatry).
Links to the summaries of the bills: HB 35 HB 1016, HB 1038, HB 1081
Call to action:
30 Minute Matters: Contact committee members and tell them you OPPOSE these bills. HERE. Click on the committee member’s picture to be taken to their information page for contact information.
LWV Position: The League of Women Voters of the United States believes that a basic level of quality health care at an affordable cost should be available to all US residents. Other US health care policy goals should include the equitable distribution of services, efficient and economical delivery of care, advancement of medical research and technology, and a reasonable total national expenditure level for health care. (LWVUS Impact on Issues, p. 157)
Bill #s: SB 26, SB 75
LWVMO OPPOSES these bills
Short Description: Modifies provisions relating to gender transition procedures.
Status of the Bill: Scheduled for a Hearing on Tuesday, February 11 at 10:00AM in the Senate Families, Seniors and Health Committee.
Talking points:
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Interferes with the medical decisions made by parents, their children and medical professionals
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Repeals a previously agreed expiration date, permanently prohibiting these treatments
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Prevents medically necessary care established by professional medical organizations*, based on false claims of health outcomes for those with gender dysphoria* (*The American Academy of Pediatrics, The American Psychiatric Assoc.,The American Academy of Child and Adolescent Psychiatry).
Link to the summaries of the bills: SB26 SB75
Call to action:
30 Minute Matters: Only in-person testimony can be given at Senate hearings. Contact committee members and tell them you OPPOSE these bills. HERE. Click on the committee member’s picture to be taken to their information page for contact information.
LWV Position: The League of Women Voters of the United States believes that a basic level of quality health care at an affordable cost should be available to all US residents. Other US health care policy goals should include the equitable distribution of services, efficient and economical delivery of care, advancement of medical research and technology, and a reasonable total national expenditure level for health care. (LWVUS Impact on Issues, p. 157)
Bill: SB 76
LWVMO OPPOSES this bill
Short Description: Modifies provision relating to prohibited discriminatory practices; limits definition of sex to male and female.
Status of the Bill: Scheduled for a Hearing on Tuesday, February 11 at 10:00AM in the Senate Families, Seniors and Health Committee.
Talking points:
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Many people have variations on the XX or XY pairs of sex chromosomes and do not fit either category
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Human diversity has demonstrated that the binary categories of male and female are incomplete and inaccurate; sex designation is on a spectrum
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Those with a gender identity that differs from the sex designation on a government document experience discrimination, harassment, or violence
Link to the summary of the bill: SB 76
Call to action:
30 Minute Matters: Only in-person testimony can be given at Senate hearings. Contact committee members and tell them you OPPOSE this bill. HERE. Click on the committee member’s picture to be taken to their information page for contact information.
Links to further reading: The Conversation: Not everyone is male or female
LWV Position: Secure equal rights and equal opportunity for all. Promote social and economic justice and the health and safety of all Americans. (Impact on Issues 2024 - 2026, p. 15)
Social Justice
Bill #: HB 916
LWVMO SUPPORTS this bill
Short Description: Repeals prohibition for individuals convicted under federal or state law of a felony offense involving possession, distribution, or use of a controlled substance from receiving SNAP benefits; prohibits restraint of pregnant offenders; amends the age a statement from a child may be admissible in criminal proceedings from under 14 to under 18.
Status of the Bill: Scheduled for a Hearing on Thursday, February 13 at 8:00 AM in the House Corrections and Public Institutions Committee.
Talking points:
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Missouri currently has one of the nation’s most stringent bans for receiving SNAP benefits (Collateral Consequences Resource Center, Accessing SNAP and TANF Benefits under a Drug Conviction: A Survey of State Laws)
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HB916 is a positive move to remove the prohibition on additional drug offenses
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Incarcerated pregnant people should be viewed as expectant parents in need of comprehensive health care, rather than as criminals who forfeited their right to a safe, respectful, and humane childbirth (Shackling and pregnancy care policies in US prisons and jails)
Link to the summary of the bill: HB 916
Call to action:
5 for Democracy: Submit testimony in SUPPORT of HB 916. HERE
Links to further reading:
Accessing SNAP and TANF Benefits After a Drug Conviction: A Survey of State Laws
NLM: Shackling and pregnancy care policies in US prisons and jails
LWV Position: The League of Women Voters of the United States believes that policies and procedures that apply to employees of and incarcerated individuals in local jails and state prisons ensure that all correctional systems provide humane, dignified, non-discriminatory treatment of incarcerated people and personnel, including appropriate health care and access to community-based rehabilitation programs. (LWVUS Impact on Issues 2024 - 2026, p. 138)
Taxes
Bill #: HB 100
LWVMO OPPOSES this bill
Short Description: Eliminates current income tax provisions. Beginning January 1, 2026, a flat rate of 4% will be imposed on all taxable income of Missouri residents.
Status of the Bill: Scheduled for Executive Session on Tuesday, February 11 at 12:00 PM in the House Special Committee on Tax Reform.
Talking points:
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Imposing a single tax rate on all Missouri Citizens without regard to income is a regressive tax system
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A regressive tax imposes a larger tax burden on those with lower incomes than those with higher incomes because a larger portion of a lower-income individual's total funds goes to the tax
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While some people argue that a flat rate is fairer, this might be arguable if the MO tax system eliminated all deductions, credits, and special interest exemptions. This bill does not appear to change the general method for determining what is taxable, but simply applies a flat rate to that amount - again placing a greater burden on lower income taxpayers
Link to the summary of the bill: HB 100
Call to action:
30 Minute Matters: Contact members of the House Special Committee on Tax Reform and tell them you OPPOSE this bill. HERE. Click on the member’s picture to be taken to their page with contact information.
Links to further reading:
LWV Position: The LWVMO supports a balanced and progressive tax system. (LWVMO Guide to State Action 2023-25, page 2)
Climate and Environment
Bill #: HB 106
LWVMO OPPOSES this bill
Short Description: Would allow excavating on property without a permit so long as land excavations are occurring on that property under the stated purpose of land improvement.
Status of the Bill: Scheduled for a hearing on Monday, February 10 at 4:30 PM in the House Special Committee On Intergovernmental Affairs Committee.
Talking points:
Link to the summary of the bill: HB 106
Call to action:
5 for Democracy: Submit testimony to OPPOSE this bill. HERE
Links to further reading: Missouri Coalition for the Environment (MCE)
LWV Position: The League supports management of land as a finite resource not as a commodity, since land ownership, whether public or private, carries responsibility for stewardship, and land-use planning that reflects conservation and wise management of resources. (Impact on Issues 2024-2026, p. 111)