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Citizen Initiative Petitions
Bills: HB 551, HB 575
LWVMO OPPOSES these bills.
Short Description: Makes it harder for the public to use the Initiative Petition process.
Status of the Bills: Scheduled for hearings in the House on Tuesday, February 4 at 8:00 AM in the Elections Committee.
Talking points:
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Imposes restrictions on petition circulators
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Repeals requirement for a public comment period within 30 days of Secretary Of State certifying signatures
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Requires final adjudication of a challenge to the official ballot title or fiscal note to occur at least 8 weeks before an election date
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Creates a scenario where a court challenge can result in the wholesale dismissal of gathered signatures
Link to the summaries of the bills: HB 551, HB 575
Call to action:
5 for Democracy: Submit testimony to oppose HB 551 HERE; to oppose HB 575 HERE.
LWV Position: The League believes responsible government should be responsive to the will of the people. (Impact on Issues, 2024 - 2026, p.57)
Voting Rights
Bill #: SB 62
LWVMO OPPOSES this bill.
Short Description: The act requires documentary proof of United States citizenship, as that term is defined in the act, in order to register to vote.
Status of the Bill: Scheduled for a Senate hearing on Monday, February 3 at 2:00 PM in the Senate Local Government, Elections and Pensions Committee.
Talking points:
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Discourages voter registration and voter participation and would do little to enhance election integrity
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Audits by election officials and numerous studies reflect that voter fraud by non-citizens is extremely rare. It is already illegal for non-citizens to vote in federal or state elections in the United States; there is no evidence that unauthorized immigrants, green-card holders, or immigrants on temporary visas are voting in significant numbers; the penalties for registering or voting as a non-U.S. citizen include imprisonment or deportation; the risks for any non-U.S. citizen to vote in a federal election are serious and steep; our laws already effectively prevent significant unlawful voter registration and voting
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Getting documents evidencing citizenship can be costly. The bill makes no provision for the state to bear the voter’s cost in securing the required documentation
Link to the summary of the bill: SB 62
Call to action:
30 Minute Matters: Only in person testimony is allowed for Senate hearings. Please contact Committee Members and tell them you oppose this bill. Members of the Local Government, Elections and Pensions Committee are found HERE. Click on their picture and you will be sent to their information page for their contact information.
Links to further reading: LWVUS letter opposing the SAVE Act.
LWV Position: In 2014 and 2015, the LWVMO continued to successfully oppose voter ID legislation as part of the national project (PAVP)." (LWVMO MO Guide to State Action, p.15) Stricter voter ID requirements should not be punitive or costly." (MO Guide to State Action, p.18)
Reproductive Rights
Bill #: HJR 54
LWVMO OPPOSES this bill.
Short Description: Prohibits abortion except in cases of medical emergency, fetal anomaly, rape or incest. In cases of rape or incest the abortion must be performed or induced before 12 weeks gestational age only if the rape or incest has been reported to law enforcement. Bill also includes language prohibiting child gender transition care.
Status of the Bill: Scheduled for a hearing in the House on Tuesday, February 4 at 4:00 PM in the Children and Families Committee.
Talking points:
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HJR 54 would overturn the Reproductive FreedomAmendment that voters approved by majority vote on Nov 5, 2024
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Dismisses majority rule and imposes the will of a minority
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Missourians deserve to have their votes count
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Legislators are supposed to represent their constituents, not impose their bias to overturn the will of the people
Link to the summary of the bill: HJR 54
Call to action:
5 for Democracy: Submit testimony to oppose HJR 54 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. At the 2024 Convention, delegates passed a resolution reaffirming the League’s commitment to fight for reproductive rights and justice, including bodily autonomy, privacy, reproductive health, and access to contraception and abortion. (Impact on Issues 2024 - 2026, p.64-68)
Bill #: HB 195
LWVMO OPPOSES this bill.
Short Description: Creates the “Born-Alive Abortion Survivors Protection Act”. Under this act, a child born alive during or after an abortion or attempted abortion shall have the same rights, privileges, and immunities as any other live-born child. The bill also has provisions where medical professionals are subject to prosecution.
Status of the Bill: Is scheduled for a hearing in the House Health and Mental Health Committee on Tuesday February 4 at 12:00 PM.
Talking points:
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This bill is in conflict with protections for medical professionals embedded in the Reproductive Freedom Amendment that voters approved by majority vote on Nov 5, 2024
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The bill injects the state into decisions on medical care without taking into account non-viable pregnancies
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Intrudes into a woman’s medical decision-making with her health care providers
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Denies the mother’s right to hold and comfort her infant after birth until it dies following an abortion or birth of a fetus with a medical condition doomed to fetal demise
Link to the summary of the bill: HB 195
Call to action:
5 for Democracy: Submit testimony to oppose HB 195 here.
LWV Position: The League believes that public policy in a pluralistic society must affirm the constitutional right to privacy of the individual to make reproductive choices. At the 2024 Convention, delegates passed a resolution reaffirming the Leagues commitment to fight for reproductive rights and justice, including bodily autonomy, privacy, reproductive health, and access to contraception and abortion. (Impact on Issues 2024 - 2026, p.64-68)
Education
Bill #: HB 711
LWVMO OPPOSES this bill
Short Description: Establishes transfer procedures to nonresident districts for students in public schools.
Status of the Bill: Scheduled for Executive Session in the House on Wednesday, February 5, at 12:00 PM in the Elementary and Secondary Education Committee.
Talking points:
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MO State Teachers Association is concerned the bill creates competition between more affluent districts and disadvantaged ones, and would not offer assistance to struggling school districts
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There are concerns that the bill could increase segregation in public schools
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Data is not available showing open enrollment promotes student achievement
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Could act as a disincentive to increase local funding if parents can send their child to another district
Link to the summary of the bill: HB 711
30 Minute Matters: Email committee members and tell them you oppose this bill. Members of the Elementary and Secondary Education Committee are found HERE. Click on the representative’s picture and you will be taken to their information page for their contact information.
LWV Position: The League is committed to racial integration of schools as a necessary condition for equal access to education. (LWVUS Impact on Issues 2024-2026, p.152)
Bill #: HB 875
LWVMO OPPOSES this bill
Short Description:
Prohibits public institutions of higher learning from discriminating against religious, political, or ideological associations.
Status of the Bill: Scheduled for Executive Session on Monday, February 3 at 4:30 PM in the House Emerging Issues Committee.
Link to the summary of the bill: HB 875
Links to further reading: NAACP Legislative Update
Talking Points:
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There are concerns that the bill would allow discrimination on college campuses
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The bill would allow state resources to be spent on student groups that include discriminatory criteria in their membership and leadership requirements
30 Minute Matters: Email committee members and tell them you support these bills. Members of the House Emerging Issues Committee are found HERE. Click on the representative’s picture and you will be taken to their information page for their contact information.
LWV Position: The League of Women Voters of the United States believes that the federal government shares with other levels of government the responsibility to provide equality of opportunity for education, employment, and housing for all persons in the United States regardless of their race, color, gender, religion, national origin, age, sexual orientation, or disability. (LWVUS Impact on Issues 2024-2026, p.140)
Bill #: HB 408
LWVMO NEITHER OPPOSES OR SUPPORTS - THIS ALERT IS FOR INFORMATION ONLY.
Short Description: Prohibits student use of telecommunications devices during regularly scheduled instructional activities.
Status of the Bill: Scheduled for a hearing in the House on Wednesday, February 5, at 12:00 PM in the Elementary and Secondary Education Committee.
Talking points:
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Prohibits student use of cell phones and smart watches during regularly scheduled instructional activities unless authorized by the school principal; exceptions are provided for students with documented needs and for health purposes
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Requires school districts to adopt a written policy on electronic telecommunication devices beginning with the 2025-26 school year
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Requires school districts to provide guidelines for cell phone use during non instructional time, i.e. field trips and transportation
Link to the summary of the bill: HB 408
Bills #: HB 36, 113, 624
LWVMO NEITHER OPPOSES OR SUPPORTS - THIS ALERT IS FOR INFORMATION ONLY.
Short Description: Modifies guidelines for student participation in athletic contests organized by sex.
Status of the Bills: Bills are scheduled for hearings in the House on Monday, February 3, at 4:30 PM in the Emerging Issues Committee.
Talking points:
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Would make the current restrictions that are scheduled to expire in 2027 permanent restrictions
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Schools would only be allowed to let a student compete in an athletic competition designated for the biological sex of the student as stated on the student's official birth certificate
Link to the summary of the bills: HB 36 , HB 113 , HB 624
Health Care
Bills #: HB 177, HB 469
LWVMO SUPPORTS these bills.
Short Description: Provides MO HealthNet coverage of hearing aids and cochlear implants.
Status of the Bill: Scheduled for Executive Session in the House on Tuesday, February 4, at 12:00 PM in the House Health and Mental Health Committee.
Talking points:
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MO HealthNet payments are made for eligible children in need, pregnant women, and blind persons, for among other services, hearing aids
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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 summaries of the bills: HB 177 , HB 469
Call to action:
30 Minute Matters: Email committee members and tell them you support these bills. Members of the Health and Mental Health Committee are found HERE. Click on the representative’s picture and you will be taken to their information page for their contact information.
LWV Position: Every US resident should have access to basic level of care (Impact on Issues 2024-2024, p.157)
Bills #: HB 822, 825
LWVMO SUPPORTS these bills.
Short Description: Modifies provisions related to telehealth services to include audiovisual and audio-only technologies.
Status of the Bills: Scheduled for Executive Session in the House on Tuesday, February 4 at 12:00 PM in the House Health and Mental Health Committee.
Talking points:
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Health care providers should 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 Portability and Accountability Act of 1996
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Provides a cost effective means to treat a range of health concerns
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Beneficial to people with disabilities given transportation challenges and other barriers traveling to health visits.
Link to the summary of the bill: HB 822, HB 825
Call to action:
30 Minute Matters: Email committee members and tell them you support these bills. Members of the House and Mental Health Committee are found HERE. Click on the representative’s picture and you will be taken to their information page for their contact information.
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 2024 - 2026, p.157)
Bill #: SB 94
LWVMO SUPPORTS this bill.
Short Description: “Telehealth” or “telemedicine” may include audio only and audio-visual technologies, not limited to select 3rd party platforms.
Status of the Bill: Scheduled for a hearing in the Senate on Wednesday, February 5 at 8:00 AM in the Families, Seniors, and Health Committee.
Talking points:
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Health care providers should 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 Portability and Accountability Act of 1996
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Cost effective means to treat a range of health concerns
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Beneficial to people with disabilities given transportation challenges and other barriers traveling to health visits
Link to the summary of the bill: SB 94
Call to action:
30 Minute Matters: Only in person testimony is allowed at Senate hearings. Please contact committee members and let them know you support this bill. Members of the Families, Seniors and Health Committee are found HERE . Click on the Senator’s picture and you will be taken to their information page for their contact information.
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 2024 - 2026, p.157)
LGBTQ Rights
Bill #: HB 35, 1016, 1038, 1081
LWVMO OPPOSES these bills.
Short Description: Modifies provisions relating to gender transition procedures.
Status of the Bills: Scheduled for hearings in the House on Monday, February 3 at 4:30 PM in the House Emerging Issues Committee.
Talking points:
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Interferes with the medical decisions made by parents, their children and medical professionals
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Repeals a previously agreed expiration date, permanently prohibiting these treatments
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Prevents medically necessary care established by professional medical organizations*, based on false claims of health outcomes for those with gender dysphoria* (*The American Academy of Pediatrics, The American Psychiatric Assoc.,The American Academy of Child and Adolescent Psychiatry).
Link to the summary of the bill: HB 35 HB 1016, HB 1038, HB 1081
Call to action:
5 for Democracy: Submit testimony to oppose these bills: HB 35 , HB 1016, HB 1038, HB 1081
League Position: The League believes responsible government should be responsive to the will of the people. (Impact on Issues, 2024 - 2026, p.57)
Bill #: HB 135
LWVMO NEITHER OPPOSES OR SUPPORTS - THIS ALERT IS FOR INFORMATION ONLY
Short Description: Specifies that in order to obtain a driver's license, non-driver's license, or instruction permit denoting a gender other than the applicant's biological gender assigned at birth, the applicant must provide medical documentation that he or she has undergone gender reassignment surgery or a court order declaring his or her gender designation.
Status of the Bill: Is scheduled for a hearing in the House on Monday, February 3 at 4:30 PM in the Emerging Issues Committee.
Link to the summary of the bill: HB 135
Call to action:
5 for Democracy: Submit testimony on HB 135 HERE
Climate and Environment
Bill #: HB 544
LWVMO OPPOSES this bill.
Short Description: Bill allows pesticide manufacturers to advise users of their products of their safety or hazards based on EPA required warning labels.
Status of the Bill: Is scheduled for Executive Session on Tuesday, February 4 at 8:00 AM in the House Agriculture Committee.
Talking points:
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Puts the financial interests of pesticide manufacturers above the well-being of Missouri residents by hampering the public’s right to know the potential hazards and risks of their products- information that is currently required under state law
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Protects manufacturers of potentially harmful chemicals from being sued for the harm their products cause Missouri residents by providing the manufacturers a diluted duty to warn of the hazards of using their product
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Federal EPA required warnings are inadequate because these warnings are largely based on safety studies conducted by the pesticide companies themselves, who have a vested interest in skewing the results to make it appear that they are unaware of the real hazards of their products
Link to the summary of the bill: HB 544
Call to action:
30 Minute Matters: Contact members of the committee and tell them you oppose this bill. Members of the House Agriculture Committee are found HERE. Click on the representative’s picture and you will be taken to their information page for their contact information.
LWV Position: The League supports consideration of environmental, public health, social, and economic impacts of proposed plans and actions. (Impact on Issues 2024-26, p. 107)
The public has a right to know about pollution levels, dangers to health and the environment, and proposed resource management policies and options. (Impact on Issues 2024-26, p. 128)
The LWVMO supports the preservation of the physical, chemical and biological integrity of the ecosystem and maximum protection of public health and the environment. (Missouri Guide to State Action, 2023-25, p.65)