Citizen Initiative Petitions

Bill #:  HB 1749  

LWVMO OPPOSES

Short Description:  Sets up hurdles for the initiative petition (IP) process through multiple administrative actions.

Status of the Bill: Scheduled for a hearing in the Senate on Monday, March 25, 2024 at 2:00 PM in the Local Government and Elections Committee.

Talking points:  

• Requiring 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

• Restrictions on residency excludes recently transferred military to participate in the signature gathering process as well as students and others who move to Missouri and want to contribute immediately 

• Prohibiting signature gatherers from receiving pay per signature is mean-spirited and serves no purpose  

Link to the summary of the bill: HCS HB 1749 as Perfected in the House

Call to action:  

5 for Democracy: You can only testify in person at a Senate hearing.  Contact your Senator and tell them you oppose this bill. Look up your Senator HERE.  A suggested focus might be to ask for the Senate to amend HB 1749 to (1) remove the 30 day residency requirement and (2) remove the pay-per-signature restriction.  Making the suggested changes would take time and might cause a bit of delay for the whole bill.  

LWV Position: The League of Women Voters believes responsible government should be responsive to the will of the people.  (Impact on Issues, pg. 10)

Voting Rights

Bill #:  HB 1525 and HB 2895

LWVMO SUPPORTS these bills

Short Description:  Reinstate the presidential preference primary in Missouri.

Status of the Bills:  Scheduled for a hearing in the House on Tuesday, March 26 at 12:00 PM in the House Elections and Elected Officials Committee.

Talking points:  

• A presidential primary encourages participation, especially relative to the time-consuming caucus system which is not readily accessible for students, parents, shift workers and the disabled

Link to the summary of the bill: HB 1525  HB 2895

Call to action:

5 for Democracy: Submit testimony on HB 1525 and  HB 2895
LWV Position: Support electoral systems at each level of government that encourage participation, are verifiable and auditable, and enhance representation for all voters. (Impact on Issues 2022-2024, p11)

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: Has been placed back on the House Formal Perfection Calendar for Monday, March 25.

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 has the 7th-highest rate of gun deaths in the US.  (CDC)

• Gun deaths & injuries cost MO $17.6 billion each year, $455.3 million paid by taxpayers. (EveryStat.org, March 2023)

• 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)

Social Justice

Bill #:  HCS HBs 1900, 1591 & 2515

LWVMO SUPPORTS

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 Bill: Will be taken up for a Third Reading in the House (the final vote in the House) on Monday, March 25.

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

• Only Black people in this country are shamed and punished for wearing hairstyles consistent with their natural hair

• Black Missourians are 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 bill: HCS HBS 1900, 1591 & 2515

Call to action:

5 for Democracy: Contact your Representative and tell them you support this bill.  Look up your representative HERE.

Links to further reading: 

MO has yet to pass the CROWN Act to ban hair discrimination; When CROWN Acts stall in states

LWV Position: The League supports federal efforts to prevent and/or remove discrimination in education, employment, and housing and to help communities bring about racial integration of their school systems. (Equality of Opportunity, p. 122)