Legislative Update: 3.3.24

Voting Rights Bill #: HJR 104 and SJR 78 LWVMO OPPOSES these bills Short Description: These bills would effectively prohibit 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". They also would give the legislature the discretion of outlawing voting machines. Status of the Bill: SJR 78 is scheduled for Executive Session on Monday, March 4 at 2:00 PM in the Senate Local Government and Elections Committee. HJR 104 is scheduled for Executive Session on Tuesday, March 5 at 12:00 PM in the House Elections and Elected Officials Committee. Link to the summary of the bill: SJR 78 HJR 104 5 for Democracy: Contact committee members and tell them you oppose these bills: HERE for SJR 78, HERE for HJR 104 Voting Rights Bill #: SB 724 LWVMO OPPOSES Short Description: Creates Office of Election Crimes and Security in the office of the Secretary of State (SOS) and gives Attorney General concurrent jurisdiction with local prosecuting attorneys; expands powers of SOS on election matters. Status of the Bill: Scheduled for a hearing on Monday, March 4 at 12:00 PM in the Senate Local Government and Elections Committee Link to the summary of the bill: SB 724 5 for Democracy: Senate hearings only allow for in person testimony. Contact the members of the committee and tell them you oppose SB 724 HERE Reproductive Rights Bill #: SS/SCS/SBs 1168 & 810 and HCS HB 2634 LWVMO OPPOSES these bills Short Description: No public funds shall be expended to any abortion facility, or affiliate or associate thereof, including for MO HealthNet reimbursement. Status of the Bill: SS/SCS/SBs 1168 & 810 is placed on the Senate Informal Perfection Calendar for Monday, March 4. HCS HB 2634 is scheduled for a third reading in the House on Monday, March 4. Link to the summary of the bill: SS/SCS/SBs 1168 & 810; HCS HB 2634 (the same bill) 5 for Democracy: Contact your State Senator to tell them you oppose SS/SCS/SBs 1168 & 810 using the form on the legislator’s website. Look up your Senator HERE. Contact your State Representative to tell them you oppose HCS HB 2634 using the form on the representative’s website. Look up your Representative HERE. Education Bill #: SB 918 LWVMO OPPOSES Short Description: This act prohibits school districts from teaching about The 1619 Project, critical race theory, or any divisive concepts, as defined in the act. Districts are also prohibited from certain actions listed in the act relating to curriculum and instruction. Status of the Bill: Scheduled for a Hearing in the Senate on Tuesday, March 5, at 8:00 AM in the Select Committee on Empowering Missouri Parents and Children. Link to the summary of the bill: SB 918 5 for Democracy: Senate hearings only allow for in person testimony. Contact the members of the committee and tell them you oppose SB 918 HERE Firearms Bill #: SB 754 LWVMO SUPPORTS sections regarding Blair’s Law and increasing the penalties for armed criminal action and endangering the welfare of a child. Short Description: This act modifies provisions relating to public safety including Blair's Law that increases the penalty for celebratory gunfire; modifies penalties for armed criminal action; increases the offense to a class D felony for endangering the welfare of a child regarding firearms. Status of the Bill: Has been taken up for a Third Reading (the final vote in the Senate) on Monday, March 4. Link to the summary of the bill: SB 754 5 for Democracy: Contact your State Senator to tell them you support this bill using the form on the legislator’s website. Look up your Senator HERE. Links to further reading: Grandparents for Gun Safety