Legislative Update: 3.11.24

Citizen Initiative Petitions Bill #: SCS/SJR 74 LWVMO OPPOSES this bill. Short Description: Weakens Missouri's Initiative Petition process by adding a concurrent majority of US Congressional districts requirement. Status of the Bill: Scheduled for a hearing in the House Elections and Elected Officials Committee on Tuesday, March 12 at 12:00. Link to the summary of the bill: SCS/SJR 74 5 for Democracy: Submit testimony here Links to further reading: IP talking points, MIssouri Independent: As few as 1 in 5 voters could defeat IPs . Voting Rights Bill #: SB 1120 LWVMO SUPPORTS this bill. Short Description: This bill would restore the presidential primary in Missouri. Status of the Bill: Scheduled for a hearing in the Senate Local Government and Elections Committee on Monday, March 11 at 2:00 PM. Link to the summary of the bill: SB 1120 5 for Democracy: Email committee members using the form on the legislator’s website. List of committee members here. Reproductive Rights Bill #: SCS/SBS 1168/810 LWVMO OPPOSES this bill. 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: Placed on the Senate Informal Calendar for Perfection for Monday, March 11. Link to the summary of the bill: SCS/SBS 1168/810 5 for Democracy: Email your state Senator using the form on the legislator’s website here. Firearms Bill #: HB 2487, HB 1877 LWVMO SUPPORTS these bills. Short Description: HB 2487 specifies that background checks be done on any transfer of a firearm by any person who is not a licensed dealer. Licensed dealers may charge a fee for doing the checks. HB 1877 expands endangering the welfare of a child in the first degree to include knowingly failing to secure a readily available firearm in the presence of a child under 17 or in a residence where a child under 17 lives. Status of the Bill: HB 2487 and 1877 have not been referred to a committee. Link to the summary of the bill: HB 2487 HB 1877 5 for Democracy: Write House Speaker Dean Plocher HERE and urge him to refer these bills to committee. Bill #: HB 1819 LWVMO SUPPORTS this bill. Short Description: ΗΒ 1819 allows courts to remove guns from respondents after issuing an Order of Protection for domestic violence and prohibiting those convicted of domestic violence from possessing guns. Status of the Bill: Has been referred to the House Crime Prevention and Public Safety Committee. Link to the summary of the bill: HB 1819 5 for Democracy: Write Committee Chairman Rep. Lane Roberts HERE and urge him to advance the bill for a hearing in his committee. Bill #: HB 2291 LWVMO OPPOSES this bill. Short Description: Exempts firearms and ammunition from sales tax. Status of the Bill: Placed on the House Formal Perfection Calendar for Monday, March 11. Link to the summary of the bill: HB 2291 5 for Democracy: Contact your House Representative HERE Bill #: HCS/HBS 1477 & 1437 LWVMO SUPPORTS this bill. Short Description: This bill establishes ""Blair's Law"" which states that a person commits the offense of unlawful discharge of a firearm if that person, with criminal negligence, discharges a firearm within or into the limits of any municipality. Status of the Bill: Placed on the House Formal Perfection Calendar for Monday, March 11. Link to the summary of the bill: HCS/HBS 1477 & 1437 5 for Democracy: Contact your representative here. Links to further reading: Which states have the ideal laws to prevent gun violence? Social Justice Bill #: HCS HBs 1900, 1591, 2515 LWVMO SUPPORTS this bill. 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: Placed on the House Formal Perfection Calendar for Monday, March 11. Link to the summary of the bill: Summary of HCS HBs 1900, 1591, 2515 5 for Democracy: Contact your representative here. Taxes Bill #: HB 2274 LWVMO OPPOSES this bill. Short Description: This bill phases out the Missouri state corporate income tax to 0 over a period of 4 years. Status of the Bill: Placed on the House Formal Perfection Calendar for Monday, March 11. Link to the summary of the bill: Summary of HB 2274 5 for Democracy: Contact your representative here.