Citizen Initiative Petitions
Bill #: SB 152
LWVMO This bill is FOR INFORMATION ONLY
Short Description: This bill creates restrictions and mandates compliance regarding contributions of foreign nationals to Missouri Statewide ballot measures.
Status of the Bill: Scheduled for a Hearing on Monday, February 17 at 2:00 PM in the Senate Local Government, Elections and Pensions Committee.
Talking points:
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This makes ballot measure campaigns more expensive (and more susceptible to the influence of money) by increasing compliance costs
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This includes language about foreign nationals "indirectly" influencing a campaign. This is a vague term and subject to abuse
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There is no evidence of foreign contributions having a material impact on Missouri ballot measures (why is this bill necessary?)
Link to the summary of the bill: SB152
Bill #s: HB 414 and HB 684
LWVMO OPPOSES these bills
Short Description: Prohibits any court from changing summary or ballot language on a constitutional amendment approved by the legislature.
Status of the Bill: Scheduled for an Executive Session on Tuesday, February 18 at 8:00 AM in the House Elections Committee.
Talking points:
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Provision only for legislatively referred constitutional amendments; citizen’s initiative petitions would be held to a different standard of review by the courts’ summary statements
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Missouri has a history of misleading summary statements that have been rectified only through court action
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Removes the ability of citizens to challenge unconstitutional or misleading language in legislatively referred constitutional amendments by prohibiting courts from changing summary statements
Link to the summary of the bill: HB 414 HB 684
Call to action: Contact members of the Elections Committee HERE and tell them you OPPOSE these bills. Click on the member’s picture to be taken to their home page and contact information.
LWV Position: The League of Women Voters of the United States believes that democratic government depends upon informed and active participation at all levels of government. The League further believes that governmental bodies must protect the citizen’s right to know by giving adequate notice of proposed actions, holding open meetings, and making public records accessible. (LWVUS Impact on Issues 2024 - 2026, p. 59)
Voting Rights
Bill #: HCS HJR 23 & 3
LWVMO This bill is FOR INFORMATION ONLY
Short Description: Subject to voter approval, the Missouri constitution would be amended to require the Jackson County assessor to be elected as is required for all other charter counties in Missouri.
Status of the Bill: On the House Joint Resolutions for Perfection Calendar for Monday, February 17.
Talking points:
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Supporters say the assessor position in Jackson County should be elected as is the case for all other charter counties in Missouri
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Some have voiced concern that this issue should be decided by Jackson County voters rather than by a statewide vote
Link to the summary of the bill: HCS for HJR 23 & 3
Bill #: HB 507
LWVMO SUPPORTS this bill
Short Description: This bill establishes the offense of tampering with an election official, thereby creating protection for election workers.
Status of the Bill: Scheduled for a Hearing on Tuesday, February 18 at 8:00 AM in the House Elections Committee.
Talking points:
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Election workers are necessary for a functional democracy
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The growing incidence of election worker harassment is causing election workers to resign from positions, creating further strain on our election system
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Greater protections of election workers are necessary to ensure that we retain experienced and talented election workers
Link to the summary of the bill: HB 507
Call to action:
Submit testimony HERE in SUPPORT of HB 507.
LWV Position: Election Security: The League supports measures aimed at protecting and retaining election workers and officials and supports penalties for those who threaten or harass election workers and officials. (LWVMO Guide to State Action 2023-2025, p7).
Bill #: HB 126
LWVMO SUPPORTS this bill
Short Description: This act reinstates the presidential preference primary.
Status of the Bill: Scheduled for a Hearing on Tuesday, February 18 at 8:00 AM in the House Elections Committee.
Talking Points:
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Voting happens anonymously through secret ballot
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Primaries are run by state and local governments
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Primaries use state-controlled election procedures
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Primary process is a familiar one of official ballots and secure submission of vote
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Similar to HB 347 (2023) which was replaced by HB 267
Link to the summary of the bill: HB 126
Call to action:
Submit testimony HERE in SUPPORT of HB 126
Links to further reading:
Presidential primary would return under bill approved by the Missouri House April 18, 2023
LWV Position: Presidential Nominee Selection Process: The League supports open primaries rather than caucuses. (LWVMO Guide to State Action 2023-2025, p. 25)
Bill #: HB 367
LWVMO SUPPORTS this bill
Short Description: This act reinstates the presidential preference primary and modifies provisions for absentee voting.
Status of the Bill: Scheduled for a Hearing on Tuesday, February 18 at 8:00 AM in the House Elections Committee.
Talking Points:
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Primary voting happens anonymously through secret ballot
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The primary voting process is a familiar one of official ballots and secure submission of votes
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Absentee voting makes voting more accessible to particular demographics
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Absentee voting does not significantly benefit one political party
Link to the summary of the bill: HB 367
Call to action:
Submit testimony HERE in SUPPORT of HB 367
Links to further reading:
Presidential primary would return under bill approved by the Missouri House April 18, 2023
Voting Outside the Polling Place: Absentee, All-Mail and Other At-Home Options October 1, 2024
Missouri's first presidential election with no-excuse early voting draws long lines October 30, 2024
LWV Position: Election Process and Voting Rights: Presidential Nominee Selection Process: LWVMO supports open primaries rather than caucuses and measures to increase the informed participation of Missouri citizens in the selection of presidential nominees (LWVMO Guide to State Action 2023-2025, p. 25).
Reproductive Rights
Bill #: HB 807
LWVMO OPPOSES this bill
Short Description: Establishes the division of maternal and child resources within the department of social services and the "Save MO Babies Act" to assist persons in the adoption of children.
Status of the Bill: Scheduled for a Hearing on Tuesday, February 18 at 8:00 AM in the House Children and Families Committee.
Talking points:
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Creates a Maternal and Child Resources division in the Department of Social Services
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Requires the Division to create and maintain a database of expecting mothers at risk for seeking an abortion and prospective adoptive parents for the purposes of identifying children who may be suitable for adopting
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Interferes directly with a pregnant woman’s fundamental right to make their own decisions about health care
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Creates increased costs for unadopted babies that move into foster care and/or institutions
Link to the summary of the bill: HB 807
Call to action:
Submit testimony HERE to OPPOSE HB 807.
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 #: SJR 6
LWVMO This bill is FOR INFORMATION ONLY
Short Description: Amends the Constitution to assert the right of parents to participate in and direct the education of their children free from government interference.
Status of the Bill: Scheduled for a Hearing on Tuesday, February 18 at 8:00 AM in the Senate Education Committee.
Talking points:
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This is a "Parents Rights" bill
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The right to transparency for parents in a child's education already exists in Missouri
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The bill appears to include language which would allow parents to send their child to a public school that does not conform to state standards
Link to the summary of the bill: SJR 6
Links to further reading:
Unseen dangers of new parental rights legislation
Moving from a parental bill of rights to a cross partisan policy agenda
Social Justice
Bill #: HB 742
LWVMO OPPOSES this bill
Short Description: Prohibits state departments from spending money on diversity, equity and inclusion initiatives.
Status of the Bill: On the House Formal Perfection Calendar for Monday, February 17.
Talking points:
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Diversity, equity, and inclusion are intrinsically linked to the strength and vibrancy of workplace culture (WebMD Health Services)
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Inclusivity opens the door to a larger, more diverse talent workforce (360 learning)
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Employees who feel included and accepted are more engaged and productive
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Diverse workforces reflect the communities in which they operate
Link to the summary of the bill: HB 742
Call to action:
Contact your representative HERE to OPPOSE this bill. Scroll down to “Find Your Representative”.
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. (MO Guide to State Action 2023-2025, p. 53)
Taxes
Bill #: SB 64
LWVMO SUPPORTS this bill
Short Description: Increases the Circuit Breaker tax law to increase the income eligibility and to also increases the Maximum credit for property owners and renters, to be annually adjusted for inflation.
Status of the Bill: Scheduled for a Hearing on Wednesday, February 19 at 10:00 AM in the Senate Economic and Workforce Movement Committee.
Talking points:
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The circuit breaker law was designed to help low income disabled persons and senior citizens to continue to live in their homes or to make rents more affordable to them
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The circuit breaker law income limits and credit amounts have not been adjusted since 2008, and since that time, incomes as well as the property tax and rental fees have increased substantially, resulting in many low income senior and disabled persons to no longer qualify for this support
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Income eligibility increase and the credit will help to again achieve the purposes for which this law was originally enacted - providing support for the increased housing expenses incurred by low income disabled persons and senior citizens
Link to the summary of the bill: SB 64
Call to action:
Only in-person testimony is allowed in Senate hearings. Contact Senate Economic and Workforce Movement Committee members HERE and tell them you SUPPORT this bill. Click on the member’s picture to be taken to their home page and contact information.
LWV Position: Supports retention of tax relief measures for qualifying seniors and disabled persons. (circuit breakers/homestead provisions). Basic income should be shielded from property tax overload. The criteria for such a plan include relief based on income, relief to renters as well as homeowners, no erosion local property tax base, and use of income tax credits or rebates as reimbursement for property taxes paid by low-income taxpayers. (LWVMO Guide to State Action 2023-2025, p. 30)
Bill #: SB 101
LWVMO SUPPORTS this bill
Short Description: Would begin to increase the Circuit Breaker law credit for low income senior citizens and disabled persons and expand income eligibility.
Status of the Bill: Scheduled for a Hearing on Wednesday, February 19 at 10:00 AM in the Senate Economic and Workforce Movement Committee.
Talking points:
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The circuit breaker law was designed to help low income disabled persons and senior citizens to continue to live in their homes or to make rents more affordable to them
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The circuit breaker law income limits and credit amounts have not been adjusted since 2008, and since that time, incomes as well as the property tax and rental fees have increased substantially, resulting in many low income senior and disabled persons to no longer qualify for this support.
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Income eligibility will increase and the credit will help to again achieve the purposes for which this law was originally enacted - providing support for the increased housing expenses incurred by low income disabled persons and senior citizens.
Link to the summary of the bill: SB 101
Call to action:
Only in-person testimony is allowed in Senate hearings. Contact Senate Economic and Workforce Movement Committee members HERE and tell them you SUPPORT this bill. Click on the member’s picture to be taken to their home page and contact information.
Links to further reading:
LWV Position: Supports retention of tax relief measures for qualifying seniors and disabled persons. (circuit breakers/homestead provisions). Basic income should be shielded from property tax overload. The criteria for such a plan include relief based on income, relief to renters as well as homeowners, no erosion local property tax base, and use of income tax credits or rebates as reimbursement for property taxes paid by low-income taxpayers. (LWVMO Guide to State Action 2023-2025, p. 30)
Climate and Environment
Bill #: HB 544
LWVMO OPPOSES this bill
Short Description: Allows pesticide manufacturers to advise users of their products of their safety or hazards based on Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) required warning labels.
Status of the Bill: On the House Formal Perfection Calendar for Monday, February 17.
Talking points:
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This bill would protect 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:
Contact your representative HERE to OPPOSE this bill. Scroll down to Find Your Representative.
Links to further reading:
Missouri Coalition for the Environment testimony on "AG Chemical Tort Ban Bill" - SB 1416 - a bill identical to SB 14 that was proposed in 2024
LWV Position: 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)