Citizen Initiative Petition

Bill #: HJR 102 (similar to HJR 72; concurrent majority of state rep districts)

LWVMO OPPOSES

Short Description: Ends majority passage of initiative petitions by imposing what is called a ‘concurrent’ majority, which is a statewide majority of all legal voters (what we currently have) AND passage in a majority of MO state representative districts. Also forbids a foreign country from sponsoring or funding initiatives and prohibits taxes on food or property by initiative.

Status of the Bill: Scheduled for hearing in the House on Tuesday, January 23,  2024 at 10:30 AM in the Elections and Elected Officials Committee

Talking points:

• The citizen initiative process provides a manner for direct participation and Missourians have been able to make their voices heard through this process since 1907

• Voting should not give preference or more weight based on zip code or acreage; each vote counts equally regardless of where you live

• Requiring a two-condition threshold creates a rule by minority, undermining the will of all Missourians

Link to the summary of the bill: Summary of HJR 102

Call to action:

5 for Democracy: Submit testimony online here

LWV Position: See page 10, LWVUS, Impact on Issues “The League of Women Voters believes responsible government should be responsive to the will of the people…“

Bill #: HJR 72 (similar to HJR 102; concurrent majority of congressional districts)

LWVMO OPPOSES

Short Description: Ends majority rule by imposing concurrent majority; statewide majority of all legal voters AND majority of MO congressional districts. Also forbids a foreign country from sponsoring or funding initiatives and prohibits taxes on food or property by initiative.

Status of the Bill: Scheduled for hearing in the House on Tuesday, January 23,  2024 at 10:30 AM in the Elections and Elected Officials Committee

Talking points:

• Voting should not give preference or more weight based on zip code or acreage; each vote counts equally regardless of where you live

• Requiring a two-condition threshold creates a rule by minority, undermining the will of all Missourians

• The IP has worked for both conservative and liberal causes which shows that it is a valuable and valued part of our heritage and works for all Missourians of all different points of view

Link to the summary of the bill: Summary of HJR 72

Call to action:

5 for Democracy: Submit testimony online here for HJR 72

LWV Position: See page 10, LWVUS, Impact on Issues “The League of Women Voters believes responsible government should be responsive to the will of the people…“

Bill #: HB 1749 

LWVMO OPPOSES

Short Description: Sets up hurdles for the initiative petition (IP) process by making it more difficult to gather signatures and makes successful signature gathering efforts vulnerable to legal challenges, imposes a 30-day residency requirement for petition gatherers and petition gatherers cannot be paid based on number of signatures collected and states that only a Missouri registered voter (as opposed to any MO citizen now) can challenge ballot title or fiscal note and no court can issue relief on such a challenge less than 8 weeks before election day or the Secretary of State's determination that the number of signatures to get a IP on the ballot is insufficient 

Status of the Bill: Scheduled for hearing in the House on Tuesday, January 23,  2024 at 10:30 AM in the Elections and Elected Officials Committee

Talking points:

• The 30 day residency requirement for signature gatherers Increases the costs of initiative petition efforts and makes the signature gathering process more difficult  by restricting the talent pool of signature gatherers

•  The 30 day residency requirement  restricts the ability of recently transferred / moved military to participate in the signature gathering process as well as students and others who move to this state and want to contribute immediately 

• The legislation would allow litigation to scuttle a successful signature gathering effort by seeking a ruling that alters petition language

Link to the summary of the bill:   Summary of HB 1749    

Call to action:

5 for Democracy: Submit testimony online here for HB 1749

LWV Position: See page 10, LWVUS, Impact on Issues “The League of Women Voters believes responsible government should be responsive to the will of the people…“

Reproductive Rights

Bill #:  HB 2190

LWVMO SUPPORTS this bill 

Short Description: Enacts provisions relating to continuous insurance coverage of self-administered hormonal contraceptives.

Status of the Bill: Set for Executive Session in the House on Tuesday, January 23, 2024 at 2:00 PM in the Healthcare Reform Committee

Talking points:

• This enables individuals who want to use oral contraception to have fewer missed doses and increase medication compliance, resulting in fewer unwanted pregnancies  

• Oral contraception is especially effective at preventing unwanted pregnancies which can be very expensive, especially to low wage workers

• Will especially benefit rural households removing barriers like lack of transportation

Link to the summary of the bill: Summary of HB 2190

Call to action:

5 for Democracy:  Email Healthcare Reform committee members 

Health Care

Bill #: SB 888

LWVMO SUPPORTS this bill

Short Description: Modifies the "Pregnancy-Associated Mortality Review Board" within the Department of Health and Senior Services. Under this act, board membership shall include at least one member from each congressional district and membership shall be demographically diverse.

Status of the Bill: Scheduled for a hearing in the Senate on Wednesday, January 24, 2024 at 12:00 PM in the Progress and Development Committee

Talking points:

• Studies have shown that healthcare outcomes differ by race and demography and sensitivity to these differences is important for improving healthcare outcomes 

Link to the summary of the bill:Summary to SB 888

Call to action:

5 for Democracy: Email Progress and Development committee members

Firearms

Bill #:  HB 1437

LWVMO SUPPORTS this bill 

Short Description: Contains provisions in Blair's Law (SB 788, HB 1477): prohibits unauthorized firing of guns within municipalities; in addition,  prohibits shooting from or at a motor vehicle unless permitted by Department of Conservation or in lawful self-defense.

Status of the Bill: Is scheduled for a hearing in the House on Monday, January 22 at 4:30 PM in the Special Committee on Urban Issues

Talking points:

• Missouri considered a “failed” state for lack of strong gun laws (Everytown) 

• American children are twelve times more likely to be killed by a gun than children in other countries (Centers for Disease Control) 

• We can all agree on keeping children safe

Link to the summary of the bill: Summary to HB 1437

Call to action:

5 for Democracy: Submit testimony online here.

Links to further reading:   HERE

Ratings of all US states by Everytown on the strength of their gun safety laws compared to violent gun deaths.

LWV Position: Protect the health and safety of citizens through limiting the accessibility of guns. Supports regulating firearms for consumer safety. (LWVMO Guide to State Action, p10)

Bill #:  HB 1477

LWVMO SUPPORTS this bill 

Short Description: Same as Blair's Law (SB 788): prohibits unauthorized firing of guns within municipalities

Status of the Bill: Is scheduled for a hearing in the House on Monday, January 22 at 4:30 PM in the Special Committee on Urban Issues 

Talking points:

• Missouri considered a “failed” state for lack of strong gun laws (Everytown) 

• American children are twelve times more likely to be killed by a gun than children in other countries (Centers for Disease Control)

• We can all agree on keeping children safe

Link to the summary of the bill: Summary to HB1477

Call to action:

5 for Democracy: Submit testimony online here.

Links to further reading:   HERE

Ratings of all US states by Everytown on the strength of their gun safety laws compared to violent gun deaths.

LWV Position: Protect the health and safety of citizens through limiting the accessibility of guns. Supports regulating firearms for consumer safety. (LWVMO Guide to State Action, p10)

Taxes

Bill #: HB 1428

LWVMO SUPPORTS this bill

Short Description: Starting in 2025, increases the eligibility for the residential property  credit of persons age 65 or older who own and occupy their home to a maximum income of $40,000 (up from $30,000) for a single taxpayer, and $45,000 ( up from $34,000) in the case of married filing jointly taxpayers.

Status of the Bill:Scheduled for a hearing in the House on Wednesday, January 24, 2024 at 12:00 PM by the Special Committee on Property Tax Reform

Talking points: 

• The property tax credit income limits have not been adjusted since 2008, limiting its reach and impact 

• Missouri lawmakers could strengthen the credit by expanding income eligibility, increasing the credit amount, and indexing the value of the credit and eligibility to keep pace with inflation  (Missouri Budget Project)

Link to the summary of the bill:Summary to HB 1428

Call to action:

5 for Democracy: Submit testimony here

LWV Position: 

Retention of tax relief measures for qualifying seniors and disabled persons. These are known as circuit breakers or homestead provisions. The League believes that basic income should be shielded from property tax overload. The criteria for such a plan include relief based on income, relief to renters as well as homeowners, no erosion of the local property tax base, and use of income tax credits or rebates as reimbursement for property taxes paid by low-income taxpayers. (LWVMO Guide to State Action, p28)