Call to Action Legislative Update 03.08.26

Click HERE for the LWVMO Official Call to Action and Legislative Bulletin! 🚨SPRING BREAK Emergency Town Hall Meeting: RSVP Citizen Initiative Petitions HB2124 — Initiative Petition Restrictions Bill Summary What it does: Adds administrative hurdles, bans paid petition circulators, and adds citizenship requirements. Status: Hearing — House Elections Committee, March 9 at 8:00 AM League Position: Oppose The League of Women Voters believes responsible government should be responsive to the will of the people and promotes access to voting. (LWVUS Impact on Issues 2024-2026 p. 11 and p. 57) This bill adds additional red tape that could make the process more difficult for citizens to use. Take Action Submit testimony (Oppose) House Elections Committee Members HB3146 — Ballot Summary Statement Changes Bill Summary What it does: Alters the process courts use to correct misleading ballot summaries; could cause delays and allow disputed language to remain. Status: House Formal Perfection Calendar, March 10 at 8:00 AM League Position: Oppose The League of Women Voters of the United States believes that democratic government depends upon informed and active participation at all levels of government. The League further believes that governmental bodies must protect the citizen’s right to know by giving adequate notice of proposed actions, holding open meetings, and making public records accessible. (LWVUS Impact on Issues 2024-2026, p. 59) These delays could reduce the time available to inform voters about ballot measures. Take Action Contact your State Representative Taxes HCS HJRs 173 & 174 — Elimination of State Income Tax Bills Summary What they do: Phase out Missouri’s income tax by 2031 and potentially expand sales taxes to replace revenue. Status: House Formal Perfection Calendar — March 9 League Position: Oppose LWV is in support of an adequate, balanced, and progressive tax system to finance necessary governmental services, which emphasizes equity and fair sharing of the tax burden (LWVMO Guide to State Action 2025 -2027, p.27) Income taxes are generally based on ability to pay. Sales taxes…are considered regressive. Take Action Contact your legislator Education HB2061 — Antisemitism & Discrimination Protections Bill Summary What it does: Establishes protections against discrimination and antisemitism in public schools and higher education. Status: Senate General Laws Committee — Exec Session, March 9 at 3:15 PM League Position: Information Only LWV supports equal opportunity in education, access to quality programs, and adequate financing for pre-K through 12. (LWVMO Guide to Resources Combat Antisemitism.org Human rights and other civil society groups urge U.N. to respect Human Rights HB1767 — Missouri Educators & Parental Empowerment and Rights Act Bill Summary What it does: Addresses educator rights, parental rights, and student conduct. Status: House Elementary & Secondary Education Committee — Exec Session, March 11 at 1:00 PM League Position: Information Only LWV supports equal opportunity in education, access to quality programs, and adequate financing for pre-K through 12. (LWVMO Guide to State Action 2025-2027 p. 57) Firearms HB3070 — Limits on Enforcement of Federal Firearm Laws Bill Summary What it does: Prohibits Missouri police from enforcing certain federal gun laws; imposes civil penalties. Status: House General Laws Committee — Exec Session, March 9 at 12:00 PM League Position: Oppose The League supports strong federal measures to limit the accessibility and regulate the ownership of these weapons by private citizens. The League supports regulating firearms for consumer safety. (LWVUS Impact on Issues 2024-2026, p. 179) The bill could punish or restrict cooperation with federal enforcement efforts. Take Action Contact House General Laws Committee Links to further reading Police warn Missouri Republicans against reviving a controversial gun rights law From Brady United regarding SAPA SB1055 — Anti–Red Flag Act, Gun Tax Holiday, Stand Your Ground Expansion Bill summary is unavailable on https://senate.mo.gov as of 3/8/26. What it does: Prohibits enforcement of red flag laws Creates a 3‑day tax holiday for guns/ammo Expands Stand Your Ground provisions Status: Senate Transportation, Infrastructure & Public Safety — Exec Session, March 12 at 8:30 AM League Position: Oppose The League supports strong federal measures to limit the accessibility and regulate the ownership of these weapons by private citizens. The League supports regulating firearms for consumer safety. (LWVUS Impact on Issues 2024-2026 Page 179) Take Action Contact Committee Members Links to further reading Missouri House and path to pass anti red flag gun laws Outdoor Sporting Goods Tax Holiday SB1078 — Concealed Carry on Public Transit Bill summary is unavailable on https://senate.mo.gov as of 3/8/26. What it does: Allows concealed carry license holders to carry firearms on buses and trains. Status: Senate Transportation, Infrastructure & Public Safety — Exec Session, March 12 at 8:30 AM League Position: Oppose The League supports strong federal measures to limit the accessibility and regulate the ownership of these weapons by private citizens. The League supports regulating firearms for consumer safety. (LWVUS Impact on Issues 2024-2026, p. 179) Transit agencies and riders have expressed concerns that allowing guns on transit could endanger passengers. Take Action Contact Committee Members Link to further reading Guns on Buses Social Justice HB2153 — Abolishing the Death Penalty in Missouri Bill Summary What it does: Ends the use of capital punishment in Missouri. Status: House Corrections & Public Institutions Committee — Hearing, March 9 at 12:00 PM League Position: Support Statement of Position on Abolition of the Death Penalty, as adopted by the 2006 Convention: The League of Women Voters of the United States supports the abolition of the death penalty. (LWVUS Impact on Issues 2024-2026, p. 183) Concerns include the risk of wrongful convictions, which could lead to the execution of innocent individuals. Take Action Submit Testimony (Support): Select Corrections & Public Institutions, then “Submit Testimony” Statewide Emergency Town Hall Meetings During the legislative spring break (March 13–20), LWVMO is co‑sponsoring nonpartisan emergency town halls across Missouri focused on the proposed income tax elimination and the future of Missouri communities. RSVP for Your Area SPRING BREAK Emergency Town Hall Meeting: RSVP Meeting Schedule St. Louis County: March 12 @ 6 PM Springfield: March 18 @ 6 PM (Hatch Auditorium, Library Center) Kansas City: March 18 @ 6:30 PM E. Jackson County (KC): March 19 @ 6 PM Jefferson City: March 19 @ 6 PM St. Charles: March 21 @ 11:30 AM Columbia: March 21 @ 1 PM Coming Next Week: Special Episode During the legislative break, Michele brings a special episode about her recent trip to Jefferson City with Missouri State University’s Paws to the Polls students. If you found this episode helpful, share it with a friend who wants to stay informed about Missouri’s legislature. 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]