PUBLIC POLICY

PUBLIC POLICY

AAUW and AAUW MO are joining communities nationwide to show the power of people working together for education, economic opportunity, civil rights, and a healthy democracy.  One of these events is the No Kings Day – October 18, 2025. AAUW members are not bystanders – we are change-makers, so if you want your voice heard on what AAUW stands for, we are inviting you to join us and defend the guardrails that help people learn, work, and thrive.  Go to https://www.aauw.org/resources/policy/advocacy-toolkit/ for information and guidance for participation. Go to https://www.mobilize.us to find an event near you and to register.  Contact Angie Janik for further information and to learn where some of our branch members will be on October 18.

Governor Kehoe has not signed HB1-Redistricting or HJR3-Changes to Citizens Initiative Petition Process that were passed during the Special Legislative Session which he called this September.  The Governor has 45 days to sign these bills into law but also has the option not to sign although they will still be put into law.  There are currently four legal challenges against HB1 and a Referendum Petition by the People Not Politicians to put this legislature-passed-bill on a future ballot.  AAUW MO supports this referendum petition, and you will have an opportunity to sign the petition at the October Branch meeting if you wish.  MO law allows 90 days for voters to sign a referendum petition; 107,000 verified signatures are required by December 11.

              ~ Co-directors Angie Janik and Marian Bauer

AAUW Ballwin-Chesterfield Public Policy Update 9/28/2025

September 2025 Special Legislative Session

  • 2 Bills were Passed
    • HR1 – Redistricting
      • Currently 3 Lawsuits have been initiated:
        • NAACP-challenges legality of special session
        • Luther vs Hoskins: claims the MO state constitution prohibits mid-cycle redistricting
        • Wise vs State of MO:  ACLU challenges the map as not having compact districts
      • Referendum Petition to put the map to a vote by the People:
        • People NOT Politicians leading this campaign
        • Must gather 116,000 signatures by 12/11/25 to place on an early 2026 ballot
        • This petition is supported by AAUW MO
    • HJR3 – Amendment 4 Initiative Petitions
      • Currently 2 groups have initiated campaigns covering different aspects of this bill. The Mo Voter Protection Coalitions is currently striving to bring the groups together.
      • Respect MO Voters is circulating a petition to put restrictions on the legislature from making changes/overturning citizen Initiative Petitions.  
      • AAUW MO is not supporting the Respect MO Voters campaign.
  • Please contact members of the Public Policy Committee for further information on these petitions. 
  • Amendment 3 Reproductive Rights
    • Legislature has passed a new amendment to be on a 2026 Ballot with the same title and amendment number.  This will be confusing to voters even with the recent judge ruling that the ballot language must indicate that a yes vote results in a nullification of the previous Amendment 3.
    • This new Amendment adds restrictions on transgender care.
    • The governor has not set a ballot date at this time.

~ Co-director Angie Janik

2025 Missouri Legislative Session Summary As of June 16, 2025

The Missouri 2025 legislative session opened in January with 2,676 bills filed, 234 passed through committees and made it to at least one of the floors for a vote.  At the close of session, May 15, the 59 bills were sent to the governor’s office for signature or veto.  Your Public Policy Committee was quite busy keeping members abreast of the bills that reflected the mission of AAUW.  Here is a summary of the session outcome as of June 16, 2025 with associated links: 

  • Proposition A: This Citizen’s Initiative Petition was passed in the November 2024 election raising the minimum wage and providing guarantee paid sick leave. HB567 changed the amount/timing of raising the minimum wage and removed the guaranteed paid sick leave requirement. This bill has been signed by the governor and is effective August 28, 2025. https://www.senate.mo.gov/25info/bts_web/bill.aspx?SessionType=R&BillID=9171446
  • Amendment 3:  The Citizen’s Initiative Petition providing the Right to Reproductive Freedom was passed in the November 2024 election.  HJR73/SJR33 addressing reproductive and transgender care passed the MO Senate and was sent to the Secretary of State and governor.  The bill will be on the November 2026 general election ballot or at a special election called by the governor. A recent ruling by the MO Supreme Court overturning a lower court decision on TRAP laws related to reproductive care and has in essence reinstituted the ban on abortions in MO. https://house.mo.gov/bill.aspx?bill=hjr73&year=2025&code=r   https://www.senate.mo.gov/25info/bts_web/bill.aspx?SessionType=R&BillID=13399177

Highlights include:

    • SB1: Provides funding for emergency relief, construction of Radioisotope Science Center at the University of Missouri Research Reactor, non-General Revenue funding for construction projects across the state.
    • SB3:  Authorizes the state to partner with professional sports teams to finance stadium construction, tax credits for Homestead Damage, tax credits for sporting events and property tax credits.
    • SB4: Streamlines the delivery of disaster housing relief.
    • Dollars associated include $1.5 million for professional sports stadiums and $125 million for disaster relief including tax credits.
  • Bills passed (pertinent):
    • SB 63 – Home schooled students allowed to participate in activities sanctioned by statewide activities
    • HB 147/ 977 – Impacted retirement systems in MO from investments to proxy voting.
    • HB 594/508 – Eliminate state taxes on capital gains
    • HB 199 – No person can be a candidate for school board if they have been convicted of or pled guilty to assault in first or second degree or harassment in the first or second degree if occurred on school grounds
    • HB 495 – Guidelines for school safety
    • SB 68 – Reporting of safety incidents and student cell phone restrictions
    • Go to above provided links to House and Senate for details.
  • Bills that did not pass:
    • Expanded tax credit voucher or similar program to fund private education with public funds.
    • Bills pertaining to charter schools.
    • Bills pertaining to state personal income tax.
    • SB 594 –  This bill requiring schools, public and charter, to display Ten Commandments did not pass. 
    • HB 1146 – This bill requiring public library and school boards to have a policy governing the restriction of materials did not pass.
    • Bills regarding school board elections did not pass.

For further information, contact Marian Bauer or Angie Janik, Co-directors Public Policy

The following websites are reliable resources to obtain information on bills passing through the legislative process and their status:

  • Permanent Disability
    • Apply any time.
    • You will then automatically receive an absentee ballot application for each election.

CONTACT YOUR LEGISLATORS

LEGISLATIVE NEWS

GET INVOLVED – Become a Two-Minute Activist!

Remembering those who went before

AAUW national provides members with tools to send messages to their representatives in Congress and their state legislators about pressing issues aligned with AAUW’s mission.  

Get involved through the resources of AAUW.  Find out how at GET ACTIVE

Once you sign up to become a Two-Minute Activist, you will receive an email from AAUW national when your voice is needed most.  You then simply click the box in the email AAUW created, and your legislator’s information is populated; the email is ready for you to send.

Contact any member of the Public Policy Committee if you need assistance.