Citizen Initiative Petitions
Bill #: SJR 10
LWVMO OPPOSES this bill
Short Description: Would require concurrent IP passage with majority both statewide and of state house districts; unnecessary citizenship text.
Status of the Bill: Scheduled for a Hearing Monday, March 3 at 1PM in the Senate Local Government, Elections and Pensions Committee.
Talking points:
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ONE PERSON ONE VOTE
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Measures currently must pass by a statewide majority which fairly reflects the will of ALL Missourians
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Requirement to have a constitutional amendment pass by both statewide majority and majority of state representative districts will creates a rule by minority, undermining the will of all Missourians
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U.S. Citizenship and MO residency is a current requirement to vote, passed with Amendment 7 in November 2024. Including this already existent requirement as a feature of a ballot measure is deceptive
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Link to the summary of the bill: SJR10
Call to action:
Only in person testimony is allowed for Senate hearings. Contact members of the Senate Local Government, Elections and Pensions Committee HERE and tell them you OPPOSE this bill. Click on the Senator’s picture to be taken to their individual page for their contact information.
Link to Further Reading:
SS/SJR 78 passed in 2024 putting Amendment 7 on the ballot, containing citizenship language (passed). This SJR proposes adding the same language into a different section of the constitution. Link to truly agreed/passed summary of SJR 78 is HERE
LWV Position: The League believes responsible government should be responsive to the will of the people. (Impact on Issues, 2024 - 2026, p. 11)
Bill #: SJR 11
LWVMO OPPOSES this bill
Short Description: Increases the number of petition signatures required and passage threshold.
Status of the Bill: Scheduled for a Hearing Monday, March 3 at 1PM in the Senate Local Government, Elections and Pensions Committee.
Talking points:
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SJR 11 will make it virtually impossible to get enough signatures for citizens to place a measure on the ballot and weakens the entire process of citizen involvement. At minimum, it increases the cost of citizen initiatives, making money an even greater part of our political process
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These increased signature requirements will practically eliminate the citizen petition process while the legislatively referred measures enjoy no changes
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Since 1907, the citizen initiative process provides a manner for direct citizen participation and Missourians have been able to make their voices heard through this process
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Requiring a two-condition threshold is unnecessary and cumbersome
Link to the summary of the bill: SJR11
Call to action:
Only in person testimony is allowed for Senate hearings. Contact members of the Senate Local Government, Elections and Pensions Committee HERE and tell them you OPPOSE this bill. Click on the Senator’s picture to be taken to their individual page for their contact information.
LWV Position: The League believes responsible government should be responsive to the will of the people. (Impact on Issues, 2024 - 2026, p. 11)
Bill #: SJR 30
LWVMO OPPOSES this bill
Short Description: Requires concurrent initiative petition passage with majority both statewide and of congressional districts & unnecessarily restricts foreign involvement.
Status of the Bill: Scheduled for a Hearing Monday, March 3 at 1PM in the Senate Local Government, Elections and Pensions Committee.
Talking points:
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SJR 30 violates the principle of majority rule, making it almost impossible for a citizen initiative petition to pass
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An initiative petition could receive more than two-thirds of the vote statewide and be defeated if it received less than 50 percent of the vote in a majority of congressional districts
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That is not “one person, one vote.” This is minority rule
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SJR 30 seems to makes clear that there will be no passage requirements for measures placed on the ballot by the General Assembly
Link to the summary of the bill: SJR30
Call to action:
Only in person testimony is allowed for Senate hearings. Contact members of the Senate Local Government, Elections and Pensions Committee HERE and tell them you OPPOSE this bill. Click on the Senator’s picture to be taken to their individual page for their contact information.
LWV Position: The League believes responsible government should be responsive to the will of the people. (Impact on Issues, 2024 - 2026, p. 11)
Bill #: SJR 47
LWVMO OPPOSES this bill
Short Description: Requires concurrent initiative petition passage with majority statewide and majority in 3/4th of congressional districts & unnecessarily restricts foreign involvement.
Status of the Bill: Scheduled for a Hearing Monday, March 3 at 1PM in the Senate Local Government, Elections and Pensions Committee.
Talking points:
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For more than a century, the citizen initiative process has allowed Missourians to effectuate their voice on a range of issues across the political spectrum
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SJR 47 violates the principle of majority rule, making it almost impossible for a citizen initiative petition to pass
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An initiative petition could receive more than two-thirds of the vote statewide and be defeated if it received less than 50 percent of the vote in one quarter plus one district of congressional districts
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That is not “one person, one vote.” This is minority rule
Link to the summary of the bill: SJR47
Call to action:
Only in person testimony is allowed for Senate hearings. Contact members of the Senate Local Government, Elections and Pensions Committee HERE and tell them you OPPOSE this bill. Click on the Senator’s picture to be taken to their individual page for their contact information.
LWV Position: The League believes responsible government should be responsive to the will of the people. (Impact on Issues, 2024 - 2026, p. 11)
Voting Rights
Bill #: SB 62
LWVMO OPPOSES this bill
Short Description: The act requires documentary proof of United States citizenship, in order to register to vote. It also requires that the clerk of each circuit court in the state to prepare and transmit to the Secretary of State a complete list of all persons who identify themselves as not being citizens of the United States when called to jury duty and report any of those that vote or register to vote to the Attorney General, SOS, and the relevant prosecuting or circuit attorney.
Status of the Bill: Placed on the Senate Formal Perfection Calendar for Monday, March 3, at 2PM in the Senate Local Government, Elections and Pensions Committee.
Talking points:
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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
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It would discourage voter registration and participation and would do little to enhance election integrity
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It is 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
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Audits by election officials and numerous studies reflect that voter fraud by non-citizens is extremely rare
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The penalties for registering or voting as a non-U.S. citizen include imprisonment or deportation. These risks are serious and steep, and our laws already effectively prevent significant unlawful voter registration and voting
Link to the summary of the bill: SB62
Call to action:
Contact your Senator using the Legislator Lookup site HERE and tell them you OPPOSE this bill.
Links to further reading: -
https://www.senate.mo.gov/Media/NewsDetails/1684
LWV Position: "In 2014 and 2015, the LWVMO continued to successfully oppose voter ID legislation as part of the national project (PAVP). The League supports measures that facilitate voter registration..reaffirming opposition to strict voter ID laws: ... ID requirements should not be punitive or costly." (Guide to State Action 2023-2025, pp16-18)
Education
Bill #: HB 1287
LWVMO FOR INFORMATION ONLY
Short Description:Enacts the Missouri Educators and Parental Empowerment and Rights Act.
Status of the Bill: Scheduled for a Hearing on Wednesday, March 5 at 12PM in the House Elementary and Secondary Education Committee.
Talking points:
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Proponents argue the bill is a necessary step to provide a safe learning environment and bolster the confidence of new teachers
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Critics are concerned about the potential risks of granting legal protections to teachers, leading to excessive force or inappropriate interventions
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The bill includes the "Parents Bill of Rights" and the "Educators Bill of Rights
Link to the summary of the bill: HB1287
Bill #: SB 344
LWVMO SUPPORTS this bill
Short Description:This bill requires schools that receive state funds to give students excused absences for attending scheduled elections with their parents.
Status of the Bill: Scheduled for a Hearing Tuesday, March 4 at 8AM in the Senate Education Committee.
Talking points:
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This is a way that schools can reinforce the lessons of civics classes and the habits of good citizenship in a representative democracy
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Young people have different priorities because they are in a different stage of life than older people. They have the right to reflect these priorities in the election process
Link to the summary of the bill: SB 344
Call to action:
Only in person testimony is allowed for Senate hearings. Contact members of the Senate Education Committee HERE and tell them you SUPPORT this bill. Click on the Senator’s picture to be taken to their individual page for their contact information.
LWV Position: On Voter engagement: “to encourage greater participation in the political process… among youth”. (Impact on Issues, pg 34)
Bill #: SB 375
LWVMO SUPPORTS this bill
Short Description: This bill requires school districts and charter schools to offer students who are 17 1/2 years old the opportunity to register to vote.
Status of the Bill: Scheduled for a Hearing Tuesday, March 4 at 8AM in the Senate Education Committee.
Talking points:
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This is a way that schools can reinforce the habits of good citizenship in a representative democracy, starting with registering to vote
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Young people have different priorities because they are in a different stage of life than older people. They have the right to reflect these priorities in the election process
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More young people will be voters if they are taught of its importance by policies such as the one in this bill
Link to the summary of the bill: SB 375
Call to action:
Only in person testimony is allowed for Senate hearings. Contact members of the Senate Education Committee HERE and tell them you SUPPORT this bill. Click on the Senator’s picture to be taken to their individual page for their contact information.
LWV Position: On Voter engagement: “to encourage greater participation in the political process… among youth”. (Impact on Issues, pg 34)
Bill #: SB 483
LWVMO FOR INFORMATION ONLY
Short Description: This bill adds the penalty of removing state aid to libraries and schools that employ someone who has been found guilty of providing sexually explicit material to students.
Status of the Bill: Scheduled for a Hearing Tuesday, March 4 at 8AM in the Senate Education Committee.
Link to the summary of the bill: SB 483
Firearms
Bill #: SB 23
LWVMO OPPOSES this bill
Short Description:This bill creates the "Second Amendment Preservation Act."
Status of the Bill: Placed on the Senate Perfection Calendar for Monday, March 3 at 10AM.
Talking points:
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Undermines public safety: this law interferes with law enforcement's ability to enforce federal firearms regulations designed to protect citizens
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Hinders law enforcement cooperation: disrupts collaboration between state, local, and federal law enforcement agencies, making it more difficult to solve violent crimes
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Impedes domestic violence prevention: undermines efforts to keep guns out of the hands of domestic abusers by limiting cooperation between local and federal authorities
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Contradicts its stated purpose: SAPA may expose citizens to greater harm not protect them, by interfering with federal gun regulation
Link to the summary of the bill: SB 23
Call to action:
Contact your Senator using the Legislator Lookup site HERE and tell them you OPPOSE this bill.
Link to further reading: HERE
LWV Position: Protect the health and safety of citizens through limiting the accessibility and regulating the ownership of handguns and semi-automatic weapons. (Guide to State Action, 2023-2025, p. 60)
The League supports strong limitations on access to semi-automatic/ automatic weapons, enforcement of strict penalties for the improper possession of and crimes committed with handguns and assault weapons. (Impact on Issues 2024-2-26, pg 179)
LGBTQ Rights
Bill #: SB 100
LWVMO OPPOSES this bill
Short Description: No certificate of birth shall be amended because the sex of an individual born in this state has been changed solely by nonsurgical means... [or] amended because the sex of the individual was changed for reasons other than a medically-verifiable disorder of sex.
Status of the Bill: Scheduled for a Hearing Wednesday, March 5 at 8AM in the Senate Families, Seniors and Health Committee.
Talking points:
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A standard to determine who is transgender or not would be created even though we know not all trans adults desire undergoing surgery and no transgender minors have access to surgery (PROMO - promomissouri.org)
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This is another way of banning transgender youth from accessing appropriate methods of healthcare that affirm who they are (PROMO)
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According to our partners at the ACLU, this is also a breach of privacy because every time a person shows important documents, transgender people would be forced to out themselves. Every time someone has to show an ID that fails to match their gender for employment or to a store clerk, security guard, or TSA agent, they are at risk (PROMO)
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A birth certificate from other states could be changed leading to confusion for individuals born elsewhere but living here
Link to the summary of the bill: SB100
Call to action:
Only in person testimony is allowed for Senate hearings. Contact members of the Senate Families, Seniors and Health Committee HERE and tell them you OPPOSE this bill. Click on the Senator’s picture to be taken to their individual page for their contact information.
LWV Position: Secure equal rights and equal opportunity for all. Promote social and economic justice, and the health and safety of all Americans. (Impact on Issues 2024-2026, p135)
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: Scheduled for a Hearing Monday, March 3 at 2PM in the Senate Government and Efficiency Committee.
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: HB742
Call to action:
Only in person testimony is allowed for Senate hearings. Contact members of the Senate Government and Efficiency Committee HERE and tell them you OPPOSE this bill. Click on the Senator’s picture to be taken to their individual page for their contact information.
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. (Guide to State Action 2023-2025, p. 53)