Call to Action Legislative Update 03.01.26

A summary of key bills moving through the Missouri Legislature this week, along with the League of Women Voters of Missouri (LWVMO) positions and calls to action for listeners.

Calls to Action 3-1-2026

Legislative Bulletin 3-1-2026

Voting RightsSB 986 — LWVMO Opposes

Requires documentary proof of citizenship (DPOC) to register to vote.  

Hearing: Senate Local Government, Elections & Pensions Committee — Monday, March 2 at 2:00 PM  

Summary

Key Issues:

• Would eliminate online and third‑party voter registration.
• Creates a two‑tiered voter registration system (federal vs. state).
• Disproportionate impact on women who changed names and other marginalized groups.
• Citizenship status can change; jury‑duty records are not reliable indicators.

Call to Action:  

Only in‑person testimony is allowed. Contact committee members and urge them to OPPOSE SB 986.  

Committee info: https://www.senate.mo.gov

HB 2480 — LWVMO Supports

Reinstates Missouri’s presidential preference primary.  

Hearing: House Elections Committee — Executive Session, Tuesday, March 3 at 8:00 AM  

Summary

Key Issues:

• Primaries use secure, state‑run election procedures.
• More accessible than caucuses for working people, caregivers, and those needing accommodations.
• Allows early voting and secret ballots.

Call to Action:  

Contact House Elections Committee members and SUPPORT HB 2480.  

Reproductive RightsSJR 72 — LWVMO Opposes

Defines “person” for purposes of equal protection, effectively establishing fetal personhood.  

Hearing: Senate Emerging Issues & Professional Registration Committee — Monday, March 2 at 1:00 PM  

Summary

Key Issues:

• U.S. constitutional law has rejected fetal personhood under the 14th Amendment.
• Could criminalize miscarriage or natural pregnancy loss.
• Imposes one religious belief on a pluralistic society.
• Conflicts with Jewish, Islamic, and other religious teachings on personhood.

Call to Action:  

Only in‑person testimony is allowed. Contact committee members and OPPOSE SJR 72.  

Social Justice & Criminal Justice ReformHCS HBs 2747 & 2047 — LWVMO Supports

Restores voting rights upon release from incarceration and expands expungement access.  

Hearing: House Fiscal Review Committee — Executive Session, Monday, March 2 at 2:30 PM  

Summary

Key Issues:

• Current expungement process is costly; fewer than 1% can complete it.
• Bill requires the state to expunge electronic records at its own expense.
• Helps with employment, housing, and economic stability.

Call to Action:  

Contact committee members and SUPPORT HCS HBs 2747 & 2047.  

HB 2967 — LWVMO Supports

Provides funding for Missouri’s expungement process.  

Hearing: House Fiscal Review Committee — Wednesday, March 4 at 12:00 PM  

Summary

Key Issues:

• “Clean Slate” bills lack funding; this bill fills that gap.

Call to Action:  

Contact committee members and SUPPORT HB 2967.  

Committee info: https://house.mo.gov

Climate & EnvironmentSCS/SB 838 — LWVMO Opposes

Adds “nuclear” to the definition of renewable energy.  

Status: On Senate Formal Perfection Calendar — Monday, March 2  

Summary

Key Issues:

• Nuclear energy is not renewable.
• Reduces Missouri’s renewable energy requirement from 15% to 7.5%.
• Misleads the public about clean‑energy progress.

Call to Action:  

Contact your Senator and OPPOSE SCS/SB 838.  

SB 849 — LWVMO Opposes

Places a moratorium on all solar projects.  

Status: On Senate Formal Perfection Calendar — Monday, March 2  

Summary

Key Issues:

• PSC already conducts extensive reviews of solar projects.
• Bill falsely claims safety hazards justify a moratorium.
• No other energy source is regulated by the Department of Natural Resources.

Call to Action:  

Contact your Senator and OPPOSE SB 849.  

Further reading

SB 879 — LWVMO Opposes

Creates new restrictions and tax burdens on solar energy development.  

Status: On Senate Formal Perfection Calendar — Monday, March 2  

Summary

Key Issues:

• Imposes burdens not applied to other energy sources.
• Limits tax exemptions for solar farms.
• Caps solar development at 2% of cropland per county.

Call to Action:  

Contact your Senator and OPPOSE SB 879.  

Find your Senator

Further reading

HB 2598 — LWVMO Opposes

“Missouri Nuclear Energy Advancement Act” — removes prohibition on nuclear plant construction.  

Hearing: House Utilities Committee — Wednesday, March 4 at 8:00 AM  

Summary

Key Issues:

• No long‑term nuclear waste solution exists.
• High construction costs burden ratepayers.
• Nuclear plants harm aquatic ecosystems.

Call to Action:  

Submit written testimony in OPPOSITION to HB 2598.  

Testimony form

Further reading

SB 1116 — LWVMO Opposes

Senate version of the Missouri Nuclear Energy Advancement Act.  

Hearing: Senate Commerce, Consumer Protection, Energy & Environment Committee — Tuesday, March 3 at 10:00 AM  

Summary

Key Issues:

• Generates radioactive waste.
• Nuclear is not renewable.
• Long, expensive construction increases costs for consumers.

Call to Action:  

Only in‑person testimony allowed. Contact committee members and OPPOSE SB 1116.  

Further reading

League Resources

League of Women Voters of Missouri: www.lwvmissouri.org

Register to Vote / check vote registration and more at :  Vote411.org

There is a Local League near you. Get involved or join today to help protect democracy.

Track Missouri Bills: www.senate.mo.gov | www.house.mo.gov

House Roster

Senate Roster

The League of Women Voters envisions a democracy where every person has the desire, the right, the knowledge and the confidence to participate. We believe in the power of women to create a more perfect democracy.

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