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:  

• 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

• 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

• 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:  

• ONE PERSON = ONE VOTE

• 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

• A two-condition threshold requirement creates a rule by minority, undermining the will of all Missourians

• 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)

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:  

• 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

• Abortion is healthcare and should be a decision made between the woman and their healthcare provider

• This bill will harm women who need miscarriage care, or who are carrying a nonviable fetus or have pregnancy complications

• 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.

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:  

• Health care professionals would be able to discriminate against transgender people; discrimination does not belong in health care

• Medical providers are still obligated to ensure their patients have timely and safe alternate care regardless of their personal, moral, or religious convictions

• 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

• This bill interferes with the medical decisions made by parents, their children, and their doctors 

• 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.

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: 

•  "...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)