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Citizen Initiative Petitions
Bill #: HCS HB1749
LWVMO OPPOSES this bill.
Short Description: Sets up hurdles for the initiative petition (IP) process by adding multiple administrative actions.
Status of the Bill: Scheduled for Executive Session, Tuesday, April 2 at 1:00 PM in the Senate Local Government and Elections Committee.
Talking points:
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The 30 day residency requirement for signature gatherers increases the costs of initiative petition efforts and complicates the process, unreasonably restricting the talent pool of signature gatherers
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Restrictions on residency excludes recently transferred military personnel to participate in the signature gathering process as well as students and others who move to Missouri and want to contribute immediately
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The prohibition placed on signature gatherers from receiving pay per signature is mean-spirited and serves no purpose
Link to the summary of the bill: HCS HB1749
Call to action:
30 Minute Matters: Contact committee members HERE. Click on the member’s picture to be taken to their home page.
LWV Position: The League of Women Voters believes responsible
government should be responsive to the will of the people. (Page 10, LWVUS, Impact on Issues)
Bill #: SJR 74
LWVMO OPPOSES this bill.
Short Description: Weakens Missouri's initiative petition process by adding a concurrent majority of the total votes cast statewide plus a majority of state congressional districts.
Status of the Bill: Scheduled for Executive Session, Tuesday, April 2 at 11:00 AM in the House Elections and Election Officials Committee.
Talking points:
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ONE PERSON = ONE VOTE
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This bill would give preference or more weight to a vote based on zip code or acreage; each vote should count equally regardless of where you live
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A two-condition threshold requirement creates a rule by minority, undermining the will of all Missourians
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The Citizen Initiative Petition process provides for direct participation and Missourians have been able to make their voices heard through this process since 1907
Link to the summary of the bill: SJR 74
Call to action:
30 Minute Matters: Contact committee members HERE. Click on the member’s picture to be taken to their home page.
LWV Position: The League of Women Voters believes responsible
government should be responsive to the will of the people. (LWVUS, Impact on Issues, p. 10)
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Reproductive Rights
Bill #: HJR 131
LWVMO OPPOSES this bill.
Short Description: Amends the Missouri Constitution to ban abortion except in cases of a medical emergency and bans any further exceptions unless those exceptions are approved by voters; subjects a provider to a class B felony and loss of license.
Status of the Bill: Scheduled for an Executive Session, Tuesday, April 2 at 4:00 PM in the House General Laws Committee.
Talking points:
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This bill is an attack on the current Reproductive Freedom initiative petition that is gathering signatures which will allow the people to decide on the removal of Missouri's abortion ban
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Abortion is healthcare and should be a decision made between the woman and their healthcare provider
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This bill will harm women who need miscarriage care, or who are carrying a nonviable fetus or have pregnancy complications
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Legislators are supposed to represent their constituents, not impose personal bias and harm
Link to the summary of the bill: HJR 131
Call to action:
30 Minute Matters: Contact committee members HERE. Click on the member’s picture to be taken to their home page.
LWV Position: LWVUS believes that public policy must affirm the constitutional right of privacy of the individual to make reproductive choices.
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Health Care
Bill #: HCS HBs 1520, 1519, 2355 & 2357
LWVMO OPPOSES this bill.
Short Description: Prohibits the requirement of any health care institution or professional to perform or participate in any medical procedures related to sex reassignment surgery or gender identity transitioning if such procedures are contrary to the institution's or professional's moral, ethical, or religious beliefs; repeals sunset of grandfather provisions of Missouri Save Adolescents from Experimentation (SAFE) Act for under 18 already receiving gender affirming care.
Status of the Bill: Placed on the House Perfection Calendar for Tuesday, April 2.
Talking points:
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Health care professionals would be able to discriminate against transgender people; discrimination does not belong in health care
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Medical providers are still obligated to ensure their patients have timely and safe alternate care regardless of their personal, moral, or religious convictions
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The "Missouri Save Adolescents from Experimentation (SAFE) Act," prohibits the prescription or administration by a health care provider of a cross-sex hormone or puberty-blocking drug to any individual under 18 years of age; these treatments may be prescribed or administered to individuals under 18 years of age if that individual had been prescribed or administered such treatment before the enactment of the prohibition; the current law’s prohibition of such treatments ends August 28, 2027; this bill would make the law a permanent prohibition
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This bill interferes with the medical decisions made by parents, their children, and their doctors
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Link to the summary of the bill: HCS HBs 1520, 1519, 2355 & 2357
Call to action:
5 for Democracy:
Contact your Representative and tell them you oppose this bill. Look up your representative HERE.
LWV Position: The League of Women Voters is an organization fully committed to diversity, equity and inclusion in principle and in practice.
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Firearms
Bill #: HCS HB 1708
LWVMO OPPOSES this bill.
Short Description: Allows concealed carry permit holders to carry firearms on public transportation and in churches; removes ban on eligibility for a permit if applicant has pled guilty to misdemeanor offenses involving crimes of violence; lowers the age requirement for concealed carry permits.
Status of the Bill: Placed back on the House Formal Perfection Calendar for Tuesday, April 2.
Talking points:
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"...the Second Amendment right is not unlimited. It is not a right to keep and carry any weapon whatsoever in any manner whatsoever and for whatever purpose…” (Former Supreme Court Justice Scalia, 2008 DC vs. Heller)
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Missouri has the 7th-highest rate of gun deaths in the US. (CDC)
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Gun deaths & injuries cost MO $17.6 billion each year, $455.3 million paid by taxpayers. (EveryStat.org, March 2023)
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The possible location of Royals Stadium downtown will bring many fans who will use the streetcar; this bill will create a hostile and highly volatile environment, scaring away visitors from our city and losing out on major revenue
Link to the summary of the bill: HCS HB 1708
Call to action:
5 for Democracy: Contact your Representative and tell them you oppose this bill. Look up your representative HERE.
LWV Position: Protect the health and safety of citizens through limiting the accessibility of guns. Supports regulating firearms for consumer safety. (Impact on Issues, p. 153)
Bill #: HB 2291
LWVMO OPPOSES this bill.
Short Description: Exempts firearms and ammunition from sales tax.
Status of the Bill: Placed on the House Formal Perfection Calendar for Tuesday, April 2.
Talking points:
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Missouri is one of only 13 states that still taxes groceries yet seeks to exempt firearms and ammunition sold in the state
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Amend the bill to include exemption for groceries, diapers and feminine hygiene products
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The bill’s fiscal estimate says it would cost the state about $31 million a year in lost revenue and local governments up to $65.4 million annually
Link to the summary of the bill: HB 2291
Call to action:
5 for Democracy: Contact your Representative and tell them you oppose this bill. Look up your representative HERE.
LWV Position: Supports regulating firearms for consumer safety. (LWV Impact on Issue, 2022 - 2024, p. 153) Protect the health and safety of citizens through limiting the accessibility of guns. (LWVMO Guide to State Action 2023-2025, p. 57)
Bill #: HCS HBs 1477 & 1437
LWVMO SUPPORTS this bill.
Short Description: This bill establishes ""Blair's Law"" which states that a person commits the offense of unlawful discharge of a firearm if that
person, with criminal negligence, discharges a firearm within or
into the limits of any municipality.
Status of the Bill: Placed on the House Formal Perfection Calendar for Tuesday, April 2.
Talking points:
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Missouri considered a “failed” state for lack of strong gun laws (Everytown)
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Missouri has three times as many gun deaths as other national gun leader states (Grandparents For Gun Safety)
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American children are twelve times more likely to be killed by a gun than children in other countries (CDC)
Link to the summary of the bill: HCS/HBS 1477 & 1437
Call to action:
5 for Democracy: Contact your Representative and tell them you support this bill. Look up your representative HERE.
LWV Position: Supports regulating firearms for consumer safety. (LWV Impact on Issue, 2022 - 2024, p. 153) Protect the health and safety of citizens through limiting the accessibility of guns (LWVMO Guide to State Action 2023-2025, p. 57)
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Social Justice
Bill #: HCS HBs 2365, 2448, 2569 & 2619
LWVMO OPPOSES this bill.
Short Description: Prohibits state departments from spending money on diversity, equity, and inclusion initiatives.
Status of the Bill: Paced on the House Formal Perfection Calendar for Tuesday, April 2.
Talking points:
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Diversity, equity and inclusion and belonging are intrinsically linked to the strength and vibrancy of workplace culture (WebMD Health Services)
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Inclusivity opens the door to a larger, more diverse talent workforce (360learning)
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Employees who feel included and accepted are more engaged and productive
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Diverse workforces reflect the communities in which they operate
Link to the summary of the bill: HCS HBs 2365,2448, 2569, 2619
Call to action:
5 for Democracy: Contact your Representative and tell them you oppose this bill. Look up your representative HERE.
Links to further reading: 360learning Forbes
LWV Position: LWV 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. (LWVMO Guide to State Action, p. 51) | Please remember that you can always do more than we recommend in these Calls to Action. Ways you can help that go beyond Five for Democracy or Thirty Minute Matters include writing letters to the editor of your hometown newspaper, writing each member of the House or Senate to oppose or support your bill, writing a longer email to your Representative or Senator which includes a personal story regarding the proposed legislation, or going to Jefferson City to testify in person. Please contact the Legislative Action team if you would like help in taking one of these actions that go the extra step. You can reach us at legislativeaction@lwvkc.org. Thank you for your activism! | Would you rather listen to the weekly
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