Call To Action: A Legislative Update -- 03.23.25

Citizen Initiative Petitions Bill #: HCS HBs 575 & 551 LWVMO OPPOSES this bill. Short Description: This bill makes it harder for the public to use the Initiative Petition process. Status of the Bill: Placed on the House Formal Perfection Calendar for Monday, March 24 at 8:00 AM. Link to the summary of the bill: HCS HBs 575 &551 Call to action: Contact your Representative HERE and tell them you OPPOSE this bill. LWV Position: The League believes responsible government should be responsive to the will of the people. (LWVUS Impact on Issues, 2024 - 2026, p.5) Voting Rights Bill #: HB 507 LWVMO SUPPORTS this bill. Short Description: This bill establishes the offense of tampering with an election official; creates protection for election workers. Status of the Bill: Placed on the House Formal Perfection Calendar for Monday, March 24 at 8:00 AM. Link to the summary of the bill: HB 507 Call to action: Contact your Representative HERE and tell them you SUPPORT this bill. 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, p. 7) Bill #: SB 280 LWVMO OPPOSES this bill. Short Description: This bill would require documentary proof of citizenship to register to vote. Status of the Bill: Scheduled for a Hearing Monday, March 24 at 2:30 PM in the Senate Local Government, Elections and Pensions Committee. Link to the summary of the bill: SB 280 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: Citizen’s Right to Vote: Protect the right of all citizens to vote and encourage all citizens to vote. Support electoral systems at each level of government that encourage participation, are verifiable and auditable, and enhance representation for all voters. (LWVUS Impact on Issues, 2024-2026, p. 7) Reproductive Rights Bill #: HCS HBs 195 & 1119 LWVMO OPPOSES this bill. Short Description: This bill 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. It also contains provisions that subject medical professionals to prosecution. Status of the Bill: Placed on the House Formal Perfection Calendar for Monday, March 24 at 8:00 AM. Link to the summary of the bill: HCS HBs 195 & 1119 Call to action: Contact your Representative HERE and tell them you OPPOSE this bill. 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. (LWVUS Impact on Issues, 2024 - 2026, pp. 64-68) LGBTQ Rights Bill #: SB 100 LWVMO OPPOSES this bill. Short Description: No certificate of birth shall be amended if the sex of the individual was changed for reasons other than a medically-verifiable disorder of sex. Status of the Bill: Placed on the Senate Formal Perfection Calendar for Monday, March 24 at 8:00 AM. Link to the summary of the bill: SB 100 Call to action: Contact your Senator HERE and tell them you OPPOSE this bill. LWV Position: Secure equal rights and equal opportunity for all. Promote social and economic justice, and the health and safety of all Americans. (LWVUS Impact on Issues, 2024-2026, p. 135) Education Bill #: SB 485 LWVMO OPPOSE this bill. Short Description: This bill moves school board elections to the November general election. Status of the Bill: Placed on the Senate Formal Perfection Calendar for Monday, March 24 at 8:00 AM. Link to the summary of the bill: SB 485 Call to action: Contact your Senator HERE and tell them you OPPOSE this bill. LWV Position: Support public schools that have accountability and transparency in matters of governance, accreditation, and funding. (LWCMO Guide to State Action, 2023-2025, p. 54)