Citizen Initiative Petition 

Bill #: SCS/SJR 74

LWVMO OPPOSES

Short Description: Weakens Missouri's Initiative Petition process by adding a concurrent majority of US Congressional districts requirement.

Status of the Bill: Placed on the Senate Formal Perfection Calendar on Monday, February 5.

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

• Restating existing language is confusing; non-citizens CANNOT currently vote in Missouri; it’s unnecessary and a disingenuous message

Link to the summary of the bill: SCS/SJR 74

Call to action:

5 for Democracy: Contact your Senator HERE

LWV Position: The League of Women Voters believes responsible government should be responsive to the will of the people. (Impact on Issues)

Bill #: HJR 67

LWVMO OPPOSES

Short Description: Requires signatures from 8% of the legal voters in

all of the state's congressional districts (versus the current 6 districts) in order to place a constitutional amendment on the ballot through initiative petition.

Status of the Bill: Scheduled for a House hearing Tuesday, February 6 at 12:00 PM in the Elections and Elected Officials Committee.

Talking points: 

• Requiring signatures from all 8 districts (from the current 6 of 8 districts) results in collection of over 100,000 additional signatures

• Excludes all but the most well-funded efforts from participation and silence the voices of Missouri’s citizens of all political persuasions, who have relied on the citizen initiative process to advance ideas across the political spectrum

• We should encourage citizen participation, not limit it

Link to the summary of the bill:  HJR 67

Call to action:

5 for Democracy: Submit testimony HERE

LWV Position: The League of Women Voters believes responsible government should be responsive to the will of the people. (Impact on Issues)

Bill #: HJR 93

LWVMO OPPOSES

Short Description: Requires all initiative petitions certified by the Secretary of State to be heard in committee and debated on the House floor or face an increased threshold of 55% to pass.

Status of the Bill: Scheduled for a House hearing Tuesday, February 6 at 12:00 PM in the Elections and Elected Officials Committee.

Talking points: 

• Proponents of a proposed constitutional amendment can choose to have it vetted by the General Assembly (GA) after being certified, after which the petition would pass by a simple majority

• GA cannot amend the proposed constitutional amendment and it’s unclear the exact purpose of these hearings except to cause a shorter schedule to gather signatures to allow for this additional process

• Petition is to be reported out of the General Assembly by the third Friday after the first Monday in March. Unstated is when the petitioners must submit for this vetting process which requires committee hearings then debate on the floor of each chamber

Link to the summary of the bill: HJR 93

Call to action: 

5 for Democracy: Submit testimony HERE

LWV Position: The League of Women Voters believes responsible government should be responsive to the will of the people. (Impact on Issues)

Voting Rights 

Bill #: SB 1199

LWVMO SUPPORTS 

Short Description: Restores voting rights on release from incarceration; removes requirement for parole and/or probation to be completed first.

Status of the Bill: Scheduled for a Senate hearing Monday, February 5 at 2:00 PM in the Local Government and Elections Committee. 

Talking points:

• All citizens of age should have the right to vote

• Persons are prohibited from voting while confined after conviction of a felony or conviction of a felony or misdemeanor connected with the right of suffrage

Link to the summary of the bill: SB 1199

Call to action:

30 Minute Matters: Contact committee members HERE

LWV Position: The League of Women Voters of the United States believes that voting is a fundamental citizen right that must be guaranteed. (Impact on Issues, p. 23)

Health Care 

Bill #: HB 1421; HB1873

LWVMO  SUPPORTS 

Short Description: Modifies the definition of "telehealth" to include audiovisual and audio-only technologies.

Status of the Bill: Scheduled for a House hearing Monday, February 5 at 12:00 PM in the Health and Mental Health Policy Committee. 

Talking points:

• The definition of "telehealth" under Chapter 191, RSMo, modified to include audiovisual and audio-only technologies

• Health care providers shall not be limited in their choice of which electronic platforms are used to deliver services provided that services delivered are in accordance with the Health Insurance Potability and Accountability Act of 1996

• The League supports cost-effective alternative ways of delivering health care. . . including home and online, as long as it is consistent with "standard of care" guidelines

Link to the summary of the bill: HB 1421 HB1873

Call to action:

5 for Democracy: Submit testimony HERE. You can submit testimonies for both bills at the same time on this link.

LWV Position: The League of Women Voters believes that a basic level of quality health care at an affordable cost should be available to all US residents.  (Impact on Issues, p. 137)

Firearms

Bill #: HCS/HB 1708  

LWVMO OPPOSES

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 on the House Perfection Calendar for Monday, February 5.

Talking points:

• "...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)

• Missouri is the fourth most lethal state in the country for firearm deaths (Rep. P.Lewis Newsletter)

• Americans kill each other with guns at 26 times the rate of other high-income countries (CDC) 

Link to the summary of the bill: HCS/HB 1708

Call to action:

5 for Democracy: Contact your representative HERE. Scroll down to Find Your Representative.

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 #: SCS/SB 754 

LWVMO SUPPORTS 

Short Description: This act modifies provisions relating to public safety. Includes Blair’s Law from SB 788.

Status of the Bill: Placed on the Senate Perfection Calendar for Monday, February 5. 

Talking points: (for the Blair’s Law section 571.031 only)

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

• Missouri has three times as many gun deaths as other national gun leader states (Grandparents For Gun Safety)

• 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: SCS/SB 754

Call to action: 

5 for Democracy: Contact your Senator HERE

Links to further reading:  Which states have the ideal laws to prevent gun violence?

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)