Dear Friend,

The failure of “IP Reform” which would have sent to the voters of Missouri a change in the way we amend the Missouri Constitution was a big disappointment. However, there were some good bills that passed and a few bad bills that did not pass during the 2024 Missouri General Assembly session. The Missouri General Assembly passed a total of 46 bills/joint resolutions. That number includes the 18 budget bills. Other than the school choice bill, SB727, none of the passed bills/joint resolutions were “omnibus” bills.

Notable bills/joint resolutions that were Truly Agreed and Finally Passed

SB 727, better known as “The School Choice Bill”, was sponsored by Sen. Andrew Koenig (R-District 15). SB 727 truly agreed to and passed in the Senate on Thursday, April 18. Gov. Parson signed it into law on Tuesday, May 7. https://www.senate.mo.gov/24info/BTS_Web/Bill.aspx?SessionType=R&BillID=244

HB 2634, sponsored by Rep. Cody Smith (R-District 163), specified in this bill that no public funds will be expended to any abortion facility, or affiliate thereof, including for Missouri HealthNet reimbursement. The Governor signed it into law on Thursday, May 9, and because it had an emergency clause, it went into effect immediately.

https://house.mo.gov/Bill.aspx?bill=HB2634&year=2024&code=R

SJR 78, sponsored by Sen. Ben Brown (R-District 26), which, if approved by the voters, would basically ban “Ranked Choice Voting” from being used here in Missouri. The proposed amendment also provides that only citizens of the United States over the age of 18 who are residents of Missouri and of the political subdivision in which they offer to vote are entitled to vote at all elections.

https://www.senate.mo.gov/24info/BTS_Web/Bill.aspx?SessionType=R&BillID=433

Notable bills that did not make it over the finish line

SJR 74 et al handled by Sen. Mary Elizabeth Coleman (R-District 22) with over 100 hours of filibuster in the senate, was killed on Wednesday, May 15 when Sen. Coleman offered the amendment to ask the House to recede from its position and grant the Senate a conference to iron out the differences between what the changes the House had made to SJR74 et al and what the Senate had sent the House. This would have effectively killed “IP Reform” or changed it in such a way that passage by the voters in Missouri would have been extremely difficult. Thankfully, the House stood strong and refused to go to conference. The session ended with no “IP Reform” even after the Floor Leader Sen. Cindy O’Laughlin (R-District 18) had said earlier in the session it would pass even if it passed on the last day of session. The Senate adjourned early evening on Wednesday, May 15. Was basically in session for about an hour on Thursday and adjourned for the year on Friday almost immediately after gaveling in for business.

https://www.senate.mo.gov/24info/BTS_Web/Bill.aspx?SessionType=R&BillID=209

SB 735 sponsored by Sen. Bill Eigel (R-District 23), known as the “Constitutional Money Act,” or the “Gold and Silver Bill" passed the Senate on Monday, April 29. The House heard it on Wednesday, May 1. SB 735 was placed on the House calendar on Monday, May 13, but never came up for a vote in the House before the House adjourned on Friday, May 17.

https://www.senate.mo.gov/24info/BTS_Web/Bill.aspx?SessionType=R&BillID=437

HB 1955 sponsored by Rep. Bill Hardwick (R-District 121), the House version of “Constitutional Money Act,” was voted do pass on Thursday, April 4 and placed on House calendar on Wednesday, May 1, but never came up for a vote in the House before the House adjourned on Friday, May 17.

https://house.mo.gov/Bill.aspx?bill=HB1955&year=2024&code=R

SB 736 sponsored by Sen. Sandy Crawford (R-District 28), started out as a bill to modify provisions relating to the State Treasurer but amendments to add “Constitutional Money Act,” and ban Central Bank Digital Currency, (CBDC) were adopted in the perfection in the Senate. When SB735 was heard on April 2 in the House Financial Institutions Committee Sen. Crawford told the members of the committee they could take out those provisions. They did. SB 736 died because the House had made some changes to the bill so it had to go back to the Senate for their approval. Since the Senate basically was only in session for a few hours that last week in session, SB736 was left on the calendar.

https://www.senate.mo.gov/24info/BTS_Web/Bill.aspx?SessionType=R&BillID=1534

HCR 30, sponsored by Rep. Dean Plocher (R-89), with this resolution the General Assembly commends Israel for its cordial and mutually beneficial relationship with the United States of America and the state of Missouri since 1948 and more. HCR30 passed the House on May 6, and was scheduled to be heard in the Senate Rules, Joint Rules, Resolutions and Ethics Committee on Monday, May 13, but Chairman Sen. Cindy O’Laughlin cancelled the hearing. Since the Senate basically was only in session for a few hours that last week in session, HCR30 died waiting for a hearing in the Senate.

https://house.mo.gov/Bill.aspx?bill=HCR30&year=2024&code=R

SCS SCRs 24 & 25 was sponsored by Sen. Mary Elizabeth Coleman (R-District 22) and Sen Bill Eigel (R-District 23). This concurrent resolution urges the U.S. Congress to offer full and unequivocal support of Israel for as long as it takes for Israel to bring justice for the unprovoked attacks on innocent civilians by Hamas. The resolution further commends Israel for its cordial and mutually beneficial relationship with this state and the United States, supports Israel's right to exist, and further recognizes Jerusalem as the eternal capital of Israel. Reported do pass in House Committee on May 9, it never came up for a vote in the House before the House adjourned on Friday, May 17.

https://www.senate.mo.gov/24info/BTS_Web/Bill.aspx?SessionType=R&BillID=993639

https://www.senate.mo.gov/24info/BTS_Web/Bill.aspx?SessionType=R&BillID=1414545

Various bills that would prohibit state departments from spending money on diversity, equity, and inclusion initiatives (DEI) died an early death.

Various bills that would prohibit state contracts with companies that engage in economic boycotts based on environmental, social, or governance (ESG) criteria also died an early death.

Bills that we are not sad about not making it over the finish line

SB 782 sponsored by Sen. Jason Bean (R-District 25) would have created provisions relating to water exportation outside the state. While claiming to keep farmers in Missouri from exporting water outside of Missouri, it really would still allow a few chosen entities to do so, therefore ceding power to the state to choose which entities were allowed to export water out of Missouri.

https://www.senate.mo.gov/24info/BTS_Web/Bill.aspx?SessionType=R&BillID=468

SB 1351 sponsored by Sen. Tony Luetkemeyer (R-District 34), would have modified and created new provisions relating to water resources. It would have exempted the Department of Natural Resources (DNR), Division of Geology and Land Survey, from the Sunshine Law. It is dangerous to exempt a governmental entity from the scrutiny of discloser in response to any request for records under chapter 610.

https://www.senate.mo.gov/24info/BTS_Web/Bill.aspx?SessionType=R&BillID=2151505

HB 2699 sponsored by Rep. Dane Diehl (R-District 126), would have exempted the DNR's Division of Geology and Land Survey from the Sunshine Law. It is dangerous to exempt a governmental entity from the scrutiny of disclosure in response to any request for records under chapter 610.

https://house.mo.gov/Bill.aspx?bill=HB2669&year=2024&code=R

Various bills that would have restored the Presidential Preference Primary were loaded up with unpopular amendments, therefore leading to the death of those bills in the House.

The failure to pass strategic legislation with a Republican super majority in both the House and the Senate is a clarion call to every Missourian to work hard over the next few months to make sure honest conservative candidates, who understand the proper role of civil government, are elected. The civic office holder’s role is to protect the life, liberty, and property of the individual. Civil government, when done correctly, will truly serve the people.

I will contact you about how you can get involved in local, state, and the national campaigns in the next few weeks.

Yours for life, family, and liberty,

Bev Ehlen

President, Liberty Link Missouri PAC

314-608-0168

bevehlen@libertylinkmissouri.com