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 Informal Perfection Calendar.

Talking points:  

• Voting should not give preference or more weight based on zip code and 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 is an unnecessary and a disingenuous message

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

Call to action:

5 for Democracy: Contact your Senator to oppose this bill 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 #: HB 1749

LWVMO OPPOSES

Short Description: Places additional restrictions on signature gathering to the Initiative Petition process.

Status of the Bill: On the House Perfection Calendar.

Talking points:  

• Requiring a 30 day residency for signature gatherers has been found to be unconstitutional

• Requiring a 30 day residency restricts the ability of military personnel or students who recently transferred or moved to Missouri and who want to contribute immediately, to participate in the signature gathering process

• Allows litigation to scuttle a successful signature gathering effort by seeking a ruling that alters petition language

Link to the summary of the bill: HB 1749

Call to action:

5 for Democracy: Contact your Representative to oppose this bill 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)

Social Justice

Bill #:  HB 2365, HB 2569, and HB 2619

LWVMO OPPOSES

Short Description:  Prohibits state departments from spending money on diversity, equity and inclusion initiatives.

Status of the Bills:  Set for Executive Session on Tuesday, February 20, at 2:00 PM in the House General Laws Committee.

Talking points:  

• Diversity, equity and inclusion and belonging are intrinsically linked to the strength and vibrancy of workplace culture.  (WebMD Health Services)

• Inclusivity opens the door to a larger, more diverse talent workforce 360learning

• Employees who feel included and accepted are more engaged and productive

• Diverse workforces reflect the communities in which they operate

Link to the summary of the bills: HB 2365  HB 2569  HB 2619 

Call to action:

5 for Democracy: Contact committee members and tell them you oppose these bills:  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)

Bill #:  HB 1591,  HB 1900,  HB 2515

LWVMO SUPPORTS these bills. 

Short Description: Prohibits discrimination on the basis of hair texture and protective hairstyles in any program or activity conducted by educational institutions that receive or benefit from state financial assistance or state student financial aid.

Status of the Bills: Scheduled for an Executive Session on Monday, February 19 at 4:30 PM in the Special Committee on Urban Issues.

Talking points:  

• Workplaces or schools are still able to discriminate against a person because of their natural or protective hairstyle

• Hair discrimination remains a source of racial injustice with serious economic consequences for Black people

• People should not be singled out and shamed and punished for wearing hairstyles consistent with their natural hair

• Black Missourians are often denied employment opportunities, unfairly targeted in education, and deprived of their dignity through dress code policies and concepts like ‘professionalism’ set by employers and institutions designed to discriminate against Black people

• Link to the summary of the bills: HB1591 HB1900 HB2515

Call to action:

5 for Democracy: Contact Committee members and tell them you support these bills:  HERE

Links to further reading:  KCUR Crown Act     PBS

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)

Bill #: HB 1413

LWVMO OPPOSES

Short Description:  Would require Missouri driver's licenses and nondriver's licenses to include a symbol that indicates that the holder of the license is a United States citizen.

Status of the Bills:  Set for Executive Session in the House on Monday, February 19 at 12:00 PM in the Special Committee on Homeland Security.

Talking points:  

• Mandates that any Missouri driver's license or nondriver's license will have a distinguishing mark on the front of the license that specifies that the license holder is a citizen and that only state IDs with the citizenship mark will be allowed as valid photo ID to vote 

• Lawfully registered voters who do not possess the requisite identifier on their ID would be prevented from voting which impacts populations who have difficulty obtaining or renewing identification, those who do not drive, immigrants, elderly individuals, individuals with disabilities, low income voters, and racial and ethnic minorities

• Including a symbol as a “marker” is unnecessary as IDs are not provided to anyone who cannot prove that they are lawfully present in the United States

• No legitimate purpose exists for state officials and law enforcement to consider the citizenship status of drivers

Link to the summary of the bill: HB 1413

Call to action:

5 for Democracy: Contact committee members and tell them you oppose this bill:  HERE

LWV Position:  The right to vote is a right that is guaranteed by the Missouri Constitution and should not be impeded, especially when there is no reason for this proposed requirement.

Climate and Environment

Bill #:  HCS HBs 2134 & 1956

LWVMO SUPPORTS this bill. 

Short Description: Modifies permit requirements and exemptions in relation to Missouri fertilizer and clean water laws.

Status of the Bill: Placed on the House Formal Perfection Calendar for Monday, February 19.

Talking points:  

• Businesses who store and land-apply industrial processing waste are currently claiming exemption from landfill storage basin construction permits under Missouri's Clean Water Act because they obtain fertilizer permits, offering to spread such waste on neighboring farms without cost, and representing that such waste constitutes fertilizer.

• More than half of the industrial waste being brought into these facilities by one of the largest waste processing companies in Missouri comes from states outside of Missouri.

• Such storage basins smell, attract wild animals and insects, and pollute the water in areas where many residents rely on well water. 

• This proposed law would give the Missouri Department of Natural Resources the authority to establish storage and operating regulations, and monitoring standards for industrial processing waste companies and would disallow these companies from claiming exemption from such regulations by obtaining fertilizer permits.

• Proponents  of the new law  include representatives for the Missouri Corn Growers Association, the Missouri Cattlemen’s Association, the Missouri Agri Business Association and the Missouri Fertilizer Control Board.

Link to the summary of the bill:  HB 2134

Call to action:

5 for Democracy: Contact your House Representative using the form on the legislator’s website:  HERE  

LWV Position: The league supports (1) A comprehensive water policy, one that includes the public trust doctrine (2) Regulation and reduction of pollution from stationary sources, (3) provisions to fulfill state and local governments’ responsibility for hazardous and solid waste management.

Firearms

Bill #: HB 2291

LWVMO OPPOSES

Short Description: Exempts firearms and ammunition from sales tax. 

Status of the Bill: Placed on the House Perfection Calendar for Monday, February 19.

Talking points:  

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

• Amendments to the bill should include sales tax exemptions 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: HERE

Call to action::

5 for Democracy:  Contact your House Representative and tell them you oppose this bill using the form on the legislator’s website:  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)