Citizen Initiative Petitions

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: On the Senate Formal Perfection Calendar

Talking points:  

• Voting should not give preference or more weight based on zip code and acerage; 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

Links to further reading: HERE

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

Bill #: HJRs 72, 86 and 119

LWVMO OPPOSES 

Short Description: HJR 72 requires a concurrent majority with congressional districts; HJR 86 requires concurrent majority with state senate districts; and HJR 119 changes threshold for passage to 55% and includes citizenship language.

Status of the Bill: Scheduled for executive session in the Elections and Elected Officials Committee on Tuesday, February 13 

Talking points:  

• Voting should not give preference or more weight based on zip code and acerage; 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: HJR 72,  HJR 86 , HRJ 119

Call to action: 

5 for Democracy: Contact committee members here

Links to further reading: 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: This bill would require signatures from 8% of the legal voters in all of the state's congressional districts (vs the current 6 districts) in order to place a constitutional amendment on the ballot through initiative petition.

Status of the Bill: Scheduled for executive session in the Elections and Elected Officials Committee on Tuesday, February 13 

Talking points:  

• Increases threshold of signatures needed to all 8 congressional districts instead of the current 6, resulting in needing over 100,000 additional signatures

• Effectively excludes all but the most well -funded efforts from participation, and

• Silences 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.

• Should be encouraging citizen participation, not limiting it.

Link to the summary of the bill: HJR 67

Call to action: 

5 for Democracy: Contact committee members HERE

Links to further reading: HERE

Voting Rights

Bill #:  SJR 78

LWVMO OPPOSES

Short Description:  This bill would effectively prohibit rank choice voting by imposing the restriction that  "The candidate that receives the greatest number of votes in a political party primary shall be the only candidate for that political party at the general election".

Status of the Bill: Scheduled for Senate Hearing on Monday, February 12 at 2:00 PM in the Local Government and Elections Committee

Talking points: 

• Voters are interested in less, not more partisanship 

• Voters should be allowed to consider methods of voting that give them more choices 

• This measure - like many others - seeks to limit the rights of voters by imposing new prohibitions  

Link to the summary of the bill: SJR 78

Call to action:

5 for Democracy:  Contact your State Senator using the form on the legislator’s website.  Look up your Senator HERE

LWV Position: 

Whether for single- or multiple-winner contests, the League supports electoral methods that:

• Encourage voter participation and voter engagement.

• Promote sincere voting over strategic voting.

• Implement alternatives to plurality voting.

(Impact on Issues, p. 52)

Reproductive Rights

Bill #: SB 1168

LWVMO OPPOSES

Short Description: Under this act, no public funds shall be expended to any abortion facility, or affiliate or associate thereof, including for MO HealthNet reimbursement.

Status of the Bill:  Has been placed on the Senat Informal Perfection Calendar for Monday, February 12

Talking points:  

• Planned Parenthood does not provide abortions in MO but provides necessary healthcare such as contraception, sexually transmitted infection testing and treatment

• This bill denies necessary healthcare to people who count on Medicaid since there are not enough providers that accept the same 

• The League has joined with other pro-choice organizations in continuous opposition to restrictions on the right of privacy in reproductive choices that have appeared in Congress as legislative riders to funding measures 

• The decision was handed down during the 2022 LWVUS Convention, and League members immediately passed a resolution reiterating that “the League supports the rights of women and those who can become pregnant to self-determination related to, and including, but not limited to bodily autonomy, privacy, reproductive health, and lifestyle choice” 

Link to the summary of the bill: SB 1168

Call to action:

5 for Democracy:  Contact your State Senator using the form on the legislator’s website.  Look up your Senator HERE

LWV Position: The League of Women Voters of the United States believes that public policy in a pluralistic society must affirm the constitutional right of privacy of the individual to make reproductive choices.

LGBTQ Rights

Bill #: HB 1674

LWVMO OPPOSES

Short Description:  Establishes the “Employee Restroom and Locker Room Access Act”. 

Status of the Bill: Set for Executive Session in the House Emerging Issues Committee.

Talking points:  

• Transgender people face hostility, discrimination and bullying and forcing transgender people into restrooms that don’t match the gender they live every day makes that even worse

• Transgender people are already using the bathrooms of their choice without incident; forcing transgender people to use a restroom contrary to their gender identity will adversely affect their privacy interests, safety and mental health

• Hundreds of localities and businesses across the country have created more welcoming environments for all, including transgender people; and mayors, law enforcement leaders and others have said nondiscrimination protections actually make their cities safer

Link to the summary of the bill: HB 1674

Call to action:

5 for Democracy: Contact Committee members HERE 

LWV Position: 

• Secure equal rights and equal opportunity for all. Promote social and economic justice, and the health and safety of all Americans. 

• 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.

Firearms

Bill #: HB 2291

LWVMO OPPOSES

Short Description:  Exempts firearms and ammunition from sales tax.

Status of the Bill: Placed on the House Formal Perfection Calendar for Monday, February 12

Talking points: 

• Missouri is one of only 13 states that still taxes groceries yet seeks to exempt firearms and ammunition sold in the state

• Amend the bill to include exemption for groceries, diapers and feminine hygiene products

• 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 legislator using the form on the legislator’s website.  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)

Health Care

Bill #: HB 2567

LWVMO OPPOSES

Short Description:  Prohibits DEI training at medical institutions

Status of the Bill: Scheduled for House hearing on Tuesday, February 13 at 2:00 PM in the General Laws Committee

Talking points:  

• Claims to establish the “Do No Harm Act”, but in actuality prohibits medical institutions from establishing, sustaining, or supporting DEI training

• It is important that medical institutions provide training on how to work with diverse  populations.  

• DEI training and initiatives are imperative to ensure that all patients receive equitable treatment

Link to the summary of the bill: HB 2567

Call to action:

5 for Democracy: Submit testimony HERE

Links to further reading: 2023 witness testimony on similar bill; MU medical students oppose to bills that prohibit diversity training requirements

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.

Bill #: HB 1918 and HB 2626

LWVMO SUPPORTS

Short Description:  MO HealthNet coverage of hearing aids and cochlear implants.

Status of the Bill:  Scheduled for House hearing on Tuesday, February 13 at 2:00 PM in the Healthcare Reform Committee

Talking points: 

• MO HealthNet payments are  made for eligible children in need, pregnant women, and blind persons, for among other services, hearing aids

• This bill authorizes coverage of hearing aids and cochlear implants for all eligible persons in need as described in Chapter 208, RSMo

Link to the summary of the bill: HB 1918;  HB 2626

Call to action:

5 for Democracy: Submit testimony here:  HB 1918    HB 2626

LWV Position: 

Every US resident should have access to basic level of care (Impact on Issues, p. 137)