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 Rights SB 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 Rights SJR 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 Reform HCS 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 & Environment SCS/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. Want to be a guest on the podcast or have questions? Email [email protected]