Legislative Update: 4.28.24

Citizen Initiative Petitions

Bill: HCS/SS #4 SCS/SJRs 74, 48, 59, 61 & 83

LWVMO OPPOSES

Short Description: Changes Missouri's initiative petition process by adding a concurrent majority of the total votes cast statewide and in a majority of the state congressional districts. The amendment also includes distracting and misleading additional changes (that aren't actually changes).

Status of the Bill: Placed on Senate Bills with House Amendments calendar for Monday, April 29.

Link to the summary of the bill: HCS/SS#4/SCS/SJRs 74, 48, 59, 61 & 83

5 for Democracy: Contact your State Senator. Look up your Senator HERE

Links to further reading: Missouri Independent: Missouri Initiative Petition Ballot Candy Reinstated

The Kansas City Star: https://www.msn.com/en-us/news/politics/missouri-house-passes-limits-on-direct-democracy-with-ballot-candy-to-entice-voters/ar-AA1nELka

Voting Rights

Bill: SS/SJR 78

LWVMO OPPOSES

Short Description: Bill effectively prohibits rank choice voting by imposing the restriction that "The candidate that receives the greatest number of votes in a political party primary shall be the only candidate for that political party at the general election".

Status of the Bill: Scheduled for a hearing on Tuesday, April 30, at 12:00 PM in the House Elections and Elected Officials Committee.

Link to the summary of the bill: SS/SJR 78

5 for Democracy: Submit testimony here: HERE

Links to further reading: 

Independent Voter News: https://ivn.us/posts/missouri-resolution-designed-sucker-voters-banning-ranked-choice-voting

Reproductive Rights

Bill: HCS HB 2634

LWVMO OPPOSES

Short Description: Under this act, no public funds shall be expended to any abortion facility, or affiliate or associate thereof, including for MO HealthNet reimbursement.

Status of the Bill: On the governor's desk for signing into law

Talking points: 

• Planned Parenthood does not provide abortions in MO but provides necessary healthcare such as mammograms, cancer screenings, contraception, and sexually transmitted infection testing and treatment
• Missouri medical providers should not be denied government funding for providing legally permissible services in the state
• Missouri should support the rights of women and those who can become pregnant to self-determination related to, and including, but not limited to, bodily autonomy, privacy, reproductive health, and lifestyle choice
• Experts agree the “health-care-safety-net system” (places that do not accept Medicaid patients) cannot absorb all Planned Parenthood patients

Link to the summary of the bill: HCS HB 2634

5 for Democracy: Contact Governor Parson’s to veto this bill HERE

Links to further reading: Planned Parenthood: Missouri Legislature Votes to Block Access to Essential Health Care, Denying Medicaid Patients Ability to Choose Planned Parenthood as a Trusted Provider

KY3: https://www.ky3.com/2024/04/10/missouri-senate-passes-bill-defund-area-health-care-provider/

Senator Lauren Arthur: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=WaisjFggXeE

Social Justice

Bill: HCS HBs 1900, 1591 & 2515

LWVMO SUPPORTS

Short Description: Prohibits discrimination on the basis of hair texture and protective hairstyles in any program or activity conducted by educational institutions that receive or benefit from state financial assistance or state student financial aid.

Status of the Bill: Scheduled for a hearing on Wednesday, May 1 at 11:00 AM in the Senate Progress and Development Committee.

Link to the summary of the bill: HCS HBs 1900, 1591 & 2515

5 for Democracy: Contact committee members HERE