House Substitute for SJR 74 – Modifies Provision Relating to Constitutional Amendments (Initiative Petition Reforms) Freedom Principle MO Legislative Priority: Election Integrity Supported

This amendment requires all such proposed constitutional amendments and new constitutions to receive a majority of the votes cast statewide and a majority of the votes cast in at least a majority of the Congressional districts, such approved amendments to take effect at the end of 30 days after the election. Additionally, this bill would have added the following provisions:

• Prohibited non-citizens from voting on any proposed constitutional ballot initiatives

• Prohibited foreign activity in initiative petitions

 Republican Party Platform: Protecting the Integrity of Elections

• Reforms to the initiative petition process, including reducing out-of-state influence for this process and requiring more than a simple majority vote to change the Constitution

The Freedom Principle MO supported this legislation because this bill would have submitted a proposed ballot initiative in August, making it harder to amend Missouri’s Constitution. SJR 74, if passed, would have protected our Constitution from left-wing radical groups from forever changing Missouri from a pro-life state to a pro-abortion state that will make California proud.

 *House Scored Vote

SJR 74 – Motion to Refuse to Recede Supported

This motion was to refuse the Senate’s motion to move SJR 74 to a House and Senate Conference Committee.

*House Scored Vote

Key Amendments on SJR 74 Motion by Senator Cierport on SJR 74 Opposed

This motion by Senator Cierport removed the prohibition of non-citizens from voting on ballot initiatives and prohibited foreign governments or foreign political organizations from interfering with ballot initiatives. A YES vote was to support removing these two provisions.

*Senate Scored Vote

Motion to Lay IP Reform on the Table Opposed

This motion was to set aside SJR 74 and to bring up the budget for discussion. A Yes vote was to lay SJR 74 aside.

*Scored Senate

SJR 78 – Modifies Provisions Relating to Elections Freedom Principle MO Legislative Priority: Election Integrity Supported

Voters shall only be entitled to one vote for each issue on the ballot and the same amount of votes for each office as there are seats to be filled at the election. Under no circumstance shall a voter be permitted to cast a ballot in a manner that results in the ranking of candidates for a particular office. This provision does not apply to any nonpartisan municipal election held in a city that had an ordinance in effect as of November 5, 2024, permitting voters to cast more than a single vote for each issue or candidate on which such voter is eligible.

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. The name of such candidate shall be placed on the official ballot at the general election unless removed or replaced as provided by law. The person receiving the greatest number of votes at the general election shall be declared the winner.

Additionally, the amendment 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.

Republican Party Platform: Protecting the Integrity of Elections

• Efforts to ensure fair and honest elections, making sure all legally cast votes are not diluted but are counted so that all participants safeguard the integrity of the election

The Freedom Principle MO supported this bill because if passed by the voters, it would ban Rank-Choice Voting and would prohibit non-U.S. citizens and non-Missouri residents from voting in Missouri's regular elections.

*Scored House and Senate Vote

Missouri Budget Appropriations: HB 2002, HB 2003, HB 2004, HB 2005, HB 2006, HB 2007, HB 2008, HB 2009, HB 2010, HB 2011, and HB 2012 Freedom Principle MO Legislative Priority: Taxation/Budget Supported

• Missouri Budget – Department of Elementary and Secondary Education

• Missouri Budget – Department of Higher Education and Workforce Development

• Missouri Budget – Department of Transportation

• Missouri Budget - Department of Public Safety and Conservation

• Missouri Budget - Department of Agriculture and Natural Resources

• Missouri Budget - Department of Economic Development

• Missouri Budget - Department of National Guard

• Missouri Budget - Department of Department of Corrections

• Missouri Budget - Department of Health and Senior Services

• Missouri Budget - Department of Social Services

• Missouri Budget – Executive Branch

Republican Party Platform:

The Missouri Republican Party Platform states on Freedom

• Missouri families can be trusted to know how to spend their money more wisely than the government.

The Freedom Principle MO was in constant communication with members of the House of Representatives Budget Committee to work to cut the budget this year. The $51.7 billion state budget passed this year was the first budget cut in nine years.

• The budget was cut by 2.3% from FY 2023

• Total General Revenue was cut by 2.4% from FY 2023

 The Freedom Principle MO supported this budget because it represents a true budget cut from the previous $52 billion passed in 2023. We understand some Senators and Representatives voted against this budget because of the spending for programs like DEI funding in public schools.

*Scored House and Senate Vote

HB 2602- Establishes Provisions Relating to the Use of Real Property Freedom Principle MO Legislative Priority: Medical Freedom/Energy & Environment/ Illegal Immigration Supported

This bill enacts several provisions relating to the use of real property, including changes to property taxation, the broadening of the Land Bank Act to cover more areas, changes to the historic, rural revitalization, and regulatory streamlining act, and new enactments on business shutdown orders, electric vehicle charging infrastructure requirements, sewer liens, home inspections, and the pasturing of chickens.

• Protecting Missouri’s Small Business Act: The bill establishes the "Protecting Missouri's Small Businesses Act". Beginning January 1, 2025, any political subdivision implementing a shutdown order that results in a business closing solely due to the shutdown order for at least 14 consecutive days or 30 cumulative days must waive the fee for a business license during the period of the shutdown order or 6 months, whichever is longer, and reduce the real and personal property tax liability of the business as provided in the act.

• Electric Vehicle Charging Infrastructure: The bill defines "electric vehicle" and "electric vehicle charging station" and prohibits political subdivisions from adopting various forms of legislation to require charging stations on parking lots owned or leased by churches or nonprofit organizations. A business owner or property owner may pay for the installation, maintenance, or operation of an electric vehicle charging station.

• Unlawful Occupation of Real Property Act: This bill establishes provisions regarding the removal, through ex parte orders, of persons unlawfully occupying a residential dwelling. The bill defines "unlawful occupants", among other terms; allows a property owner to file a petition to remove a person unlawfully occupying the property; describes the petition-filing process, fees, and court costs; and outlines the issuance process for an ex parte order. The hearing must be held within 48 hours of filing unless good cause for delay is shown.

Republican Party Platform: Property Rights and Agriculture/The Environment

• Limitations upon excessive land-use regulation and zoning that deny property owners the fair use of their property.

• Policies recognizing food production and environmental protection are both essential to life in our society.

• Environmental regulation is premised upon sound free market principles and the elimination of environmental regulation that imposes excessive financial burdens for insubstantial benefit.

• Preventing illegal immigrants from receiving taxpayer benefits.

The Freedom Principle MO supports this bill because it addresses several key legislative priorities including protecting businesses from government shutdowns, protecting businesses from radical green energy policies, and protecting homeowners from squatters or other persons unlawful occupants.

HB 2364 – Modifies Provisions Relating to Public Funding of Abortion Facilities and Affiliates and Provisions Relating to MO HealthNet Providers Freedom Principle MO Legislative Priority: Taxation/Budget Supported

As specified in this bill, no public funds shall be expended to any abortion facility, or affiliate thereof, including for MO HealthNet reimbursement. Additionally, this bill requires the Department of Social Services to suspend, revoke, or cancel any contract or provider agreement or refuse to enter into a new contract or provider agreement with any provider when it has been determined that the provider is not qualified to perform the required services because the provider has committed certain offenses specified in the bill, has been found guilty of a pattern of intentional discrimination in the delivery or non-delivery of health care services, or if the provider is an abortion facility or affiliate thereof.

Republican Party Platform: The Fundamental Right to Life

• Current state law preventing taxpayer money from subsidizing abortions or organizations performing abortions or making abortion referrals

• Current state law preventing public employees or agencies from making abortion referrals or otherwise facilitating abortion in any way, shape, or form

The Freedom Principle MO supported this bill because we are opposed to the use of taxpayer funds for abortions or abortion services.

*Scored House and Senate Vote

SB 727 – Expansion of ESA Program Freedom Principle MO Legislative Priority: Education Reform Opposed

This act modifies provisions relating to the Missouri Empowerment Scholarship Accounts Program.

The act changes the maximum amount of tax credits that may be allocated in any year from $50 million to $75 million. Such maximum amount shall be increased annually by any percentage increase or decrease in the amount appropriated to school districts under the foundation formula. The act repeals a provision that the program shall be effective in any fiscal year immediately following any year in which the amount appropriated for pupil transportation equals or exceeds 40% of the projected amount necessary to fully fund transportation aid funding for fiscal year 2021. (Section 135.713)

The act modifies the scholarship distribution order to qualified students. The first students to receive scholarship funds shall be students who received scholarships in the previous year, followed by students who are siblings of students who are already receiving a scholarship. The act further outlines a distribution order that prioritizes funding to students who receive special education services, students who are eligible for free or reduced-price lunch and who reside in an unaccredited or provisionally accredited school district, students who are eligible for free or reduced-price lunch, and students who are the children of active duty military personnel who have relocated to Missouri.

Republican Party Platform: Educating Our Children

• Eliminating the Department of Education and rejecting all efforts to establish a national curriculum, thereby, retaining control of schools at the local level

The Freedom Principle MO is opposed to SB 727 for the following reasons:

• The Family Paced Education (FPE) program will require homeschool students to take a state or third-party assessment which will be shared with DESE and a board of advisors. This will open the door for DESE to expand its power in controlling the homeschool curriculum.

• The estimated net effect on state funds for the Missouri Empowerment Scholarship Funds could exceed $800 million.

• Calls for increasing the minimum teacher salary without proposing any funding mechanism. This may require the school district to propose massive property tax increases to pay for the salaries.

• Creates a literacy program for elementary school students.

*Scored House and Senate Votes

SB 754 – Modifies Provisions Relating to Public Safety Freedom Principle MO Legislative Priority: Crime and Public Safety Supported

This act modifies provisions relating to public safety, including the following:

Valentine’s Law: This act establishes "Valentine's Law," which creates the offense of aggravated fleeing a stop or detention of a motor vehicle if the person knows that a law enforcement officer is attempting to detain the vehicle and the person flees at a high speed which creates a substantial risk of serious physical injury or death or causes physical injury or death to another person. This shall be a class D felony if the person creates a substantial risk of injury, a class B felony if the person causes physical injury, and a class A felony if the person causes the death of another.

Other provisions of the bill include:

• Certification of Juveniles for Trial as Adults

• Eligibility for Parole for Juveniles

• Offense of Delivery of a Controlled Substance

• Drug Trafficking

• Assault on a Law Enforcement Animal

Republican Party Platform: Law Enforcement and the Administration of Justice

• The men and women who serve in law enforcement

• Strict enforcement and prosecution of laws on illegal drugs

• Creating a consistent standard for trying violent juvenile offenders as adults

The Freedom Principle MO supports this bill because it strengthens penalties for people endangering the lives of police officers and increases penalties for drug trafficking and delivery of controlled substances.  

*Scored House and Senate Votes

SB 894 – Modifies Provisions Relating to the Promotion of Business Development Freedom Principle MO Legislative Priority: Economic Development Supported

This act establishes provisions relating to the promotion of business development. The act creates the following:

1. Right-To-Start Act: Requires the Commissioner of Administration to report to the General Assembly information on contracts awarded to businesses that have been in operation for less than three years. This act also requires the Commissioner of Administration, in conjunction with the Office of Entrepreneurship, to report to the General Assembly recommendations on improving access and resources for new Missouri businesses that have been in operation for less than three years, including businesses owned by a racial minority group, and women-owned and veteran-owned businesses.

2. Office of Entrepreneurship: The Office promotes policies and initiatives to support the growth of entrepreneurship of Missouri-based businesses with less than ten employees, including entrepreneurship within racial minority groups and women and veteran entrepreneurship in this state.

3. Regulatory Sandbox Act: Creates the Regulatory Relief Office within the Department of Economic Development. The Regulatory Relief Office administers the provisions of the act to identify state regulations that could potentially be waived or suspended for participating businesses during a two-year period in which the participating business demonstrates an innovative product offering to consumers.

Republican Party Platform: Job Creation

• Reducing government regulations and restrictions that prevent the creation of jobs and the growth of Missouri businesses.

• Opening new markets for Missouri products.

• Revitalizing Missouri’s urban communities through policies that encourage the creation of jobs and economic opportunities in those areas.

The Freedom Principle MO supported this bill because we support any method to reduce government regulations and help small business entrepreneurs become more successful.

*Scored House and Senate Votes

SB 895 – Modifies Provisions Relating to Landlord-Tenant Actions, Including Eviction Proceeding Moratoriums and Filings for Transfers of Real Property with Outstanding Collectible Judgements Freedom Principle MO Legislative Priority: Economic Development Supported

This act modifies provisions relating to landlord-tenant actions, including moratoriums on eviction proceedings and filings for transfers of title of real property with outstanding collectible judgments. The Moratorium on Eviction Proceedings states that no county, municipality, or political subdivision shall impose or enforce a moratorium on eviction proceedings unless specifically authorized by law.

Republican Party Platform: Property and Agriculture

• Limitations upon excessive land use and zoning regulations that deny property owners the fair use of their property.

The Freedom Principle MO supports this legislation because, during the COVID pandemic, local government officials prohibited landowners from removing renters who were not paying their rent. Many of the landlords were senior citizens who owned rental property as a means of retirement income. The moratorium imposed on landlords did not reimburse the landlord. Many of these small, family-owned rental property owners were forced to sell.

*Scored House and Senate Votes

HB 2057 – Modifies Provisions Relating to Video Service Providers Freedom Principle MO Legislative Priority: Taxation/Budget Supported

This bill modifies the definition of "video service" for provisions of law relating to video service providers to now include streaming content.

Republican Party Platform: Job Creation

• Reducing the overall combined tax burden

The Freedom Principle MO supported this bill because it will prevent municipalities from imposing sales taxes on streaming services.

*Scored House and Senate Votes

SB 872 – Modify Provisions Relating to the Taxation of Utility Infrastructure Freedom Principle MO Legislative Priority: Taxes/Budget and Energy Support

This bill modifies provisions relating to the taxation of utility infrastructure. It includes:

• Video Service Providers: Exactly like HB 2057 – This will prevent municipalities from imposing sales taxes on streaming services.

• Wireless Facilities: extends the sunset date of the Uniform Small Wireless Facility Deployment Act from January 1, 2025, to December 31, 2029.

• Broadband Grant Deduction: Current law authorizes a taxpayer to claim an income tax deduction for 100% of federal grants received to provide or expand access to broadband internet to areas of the state deemed to be lacking such access. This bill modifies such deduction to also allow it to be taken for state and local grants received. 

• Sales Tax Exemption for Utilities: This bill creates a state and local sales tax exemption for utilities, equipment, and materials used to generate or transmit electricity. 

Republican Party Platform: Job Creation

• Reducing the overall combined tax burden

The Freedom Principle MO supports this bill because it will help reduce taxes on companies that are working to increase broadband and utility access to underserved communities.

SB 1388 – Authorizes a Sales Tax Exemption for Certain Nuclear Facilities Freedom Principle Legislative Priority: Energy/Environment Supported

This act authorizes a state and local sales tax exemption for all sales and purchases of tangible personal property, building materials, equipment, fixtures, manufactured goods, machinery, and parts to construct all or any portion of a nuclear security enterprise, as such term is defined in the act, located in Kansas City.

Republican Party Platform: The Environment

• Providing reliable, affordable, and environmentally sound energy for America’s future, reducing our dependence on foreign sources of energy and responsibly providing for the development of our domestic energy sources.

The Freedom Principle MO supports the expansion of nuclear energy in Missouri.

*Scored House and Senate Votes

HB 2134 – Water Pollution Freedom Principle MO Legislative Priority: Environment Supported

The bill authorizes the Missouri Clean Water Commission to exempt any entity from the requirement to obtain any water pollution permit based on licensure under the Missouri Fertilizer law, only if the entity is producing products that are commercially sold to an end user and has accurate labeling for each container that includes certain information.

Republican Party Platform: The Environment

• Environmental regulation is premised upon sound free market principles and the elimination of environmental regulations that impose excessive financial burdens for insubstantial benefit.

• A common-sense approach to environmental policy by federal, state, and local governments without infringing upon the rights of landowners.

HB 1481 – Law Enforcement Agencies Freedom Principle MO Legislative Priority: Crime and Public Safety Supported

On August 28, 2024, the Board will assume control of the municipal police department of St. Louis, and no later than September 28, 2024, the Governor must appoint four commissioners to the Board.

Republican Party Platform: Law Enforcement and the Administration of Justice

• Supporting the men and women who serve in law enforcement.

The Freedom Principle MO supported this bill because it would have returned control of the St. Louis Metropolitan Police Department to the State Board of Police Commissioners and required a minimum level of police officers at 1,313.

*Scored House Vote

HB 1413 – Driver’s License for United States Citizens Freedom Principle MO Legislative Priority: Election Integrity Supported

This bill provides that beginning July 1, 2025, any Missouri driver's license or nondriver's license issued to a person who is a citizen of the United States, including naturalized citizens, will have a distinguishing mark on the front of the license that specifies that the license holder is a citizen of the United States.

Republican Party Platform: Protecting the Integrity of Elections

• Efforts to ensure fair and honest elections, making sure all legally cast votes are not diluted but are counted so that all participants safeguard the integrity of the election.

The Freedom Principle MO supported this bill because it would have required all driver’s licenses to a person who is a citizen of the United States, including naturalized citizens, to have a distinguishing mark on the front of the license that specifies the license holder is a citizen of the United States.

Requiring our driver’s license to have a distinguishing mark on it, will help reduce voter fraud and will help make sure only U.S. and Missouri Citizens are voting in Missouri’s elections.

*Scored House Vote

HB 1518 – Prohibits Public Institutions of Higher Learning from Discriminating against a Religious Student Association Freedom Principle MO Legislative Priority: Education Reform and Accountability Supported

The bill would have prohibited discrimination against a belief-based student association based on its requirement that leaders of the association adhere to its sincerely held beliefs, sincere practice requirements, or standards of conduct. The bill also would have authorized aggrieved belief-based student associations to seek appropriate relief in a judicial or administrative proceeding against a public institution of higher learning that violates the requirements of the bill.

Republican Party Platform: Faith and Family

• Freedom to practice religion as an individual choice, including the ability to pray in school

• Protecting the acknowledgment of God in our public life

The Freedom Principle MO supported this bill because many conservative, pro-life, and pro-Israel organizations are being denied the ability to organize on college campuses as the radical left-wing student governments view them as hate groups. HB 1518 would have protected religious freedom on public college campuses.

*Scored House Vote

HB 2619 – Expenditures by State Departments Freedom Principle MO Legislative Priority: Education Reform Supported

This bill would have prohibited funds from any State department being used for intradepartmental programs, staffing, or initiatives related to "diversity, equity, and inclusion" or similar initiatives that promote preferential treatment based on certain characteristics, concepts such as oppression as the sole cause of disparities, collective guilt ideologies, intersectional or divisive identity activism, and the limiting of freedom of conscience, thought, or speech.

This bill would have prohibited State departments from mandating, requiring, or incentivizing private sector employers to implement "diversity, equity, and inclusion" programs or initiatives as a condition for receiving a state contract.

Republican Party Platform: Spending and Debt

• Continuing to streamline the state and federal government by eliminating fraud, waste, and abuse

The Freedom Principle MO supported this bill because it would have legislatively eliminated all funds in the state budget and departments from being used for DEI and anti-racist programs or training.

*Scored House Vote

HB 1516 – Modifies Provisions Relating to the Chapter 92 Earnings Tax Freedom Principle MO Legislative Priority: Taxation/Budget Supported

Beginning on September 30, 2024, this bill specifies that the City of St. Louis shall not continue to impose an earnings tax without submitting a quarterly report detailing receipts from the earnings tax, as described in the bill. The report shall be posted on the website of the city and the Collector of Revenue, and shall also be submitted to the State Auditor, the Secretary of the Senate, the Chair of the Senate Appropriations Committee, the Clerk of the House of Representatives, and the Chair of the House of Representatives Budget Committee.

For all tax returns filed on or after January 1, 2025, this bill also specifies that the term "work done or services performed or rendered in the city" shall not include any work or services performed or rendered through telecommuting or otherwise performed or rendered remotely unless the location where such remote work or services are performed located in the city. The bill creates a cause of action for a taxpayer who is denied a refund for taxes paid for work or services not performed or rendered in the city.

No, later than September 30, 2024, the city shall establish a process for taxpayers to request a refund for any earnings tax levied on work or services performed or rendered through telecommuting or otherwise performed or rendered remotely, unless the location where such remote work or services were performed is located in the city.

Republican Party Platform: Job Creation

• Reducing the overall combined tax burden

• Revitalizing Missouri’s urban communities through policies that encourage the creation of jobs and economic opportunities in those areas

The Freedom Principle MO supported this bill because it would have clarified cities may not impose their earnings taxes on income earned outside their borders. Additionally, it would have been a good start in permanently eliminating the one-percent earnings tax for St. Louis City and Kansas City. The earnings tax is a detriment to economic growth in St. Louis City.  

*Scored House Vote

HB 2058 – Local Taxation Freedom Principle MO Legislative Priority: Taxation/Budget Supported

The bill specifies that if a political subdivision submits a tax proposal for a new or increased tax authorized under a specific statute and does not pass, the proposal cannot be submitted again for two years following the rejection. This bill allows a political subdivision to reintroduce a previously rejected tax proposal to voters before the next election cycle if the new proposal introduces a new tax authorized by law or increases the rate of existing tax authorized by law in a federal or state-declared natural disaster area. This bill requires that if the governing body of a municipality wishes to establish a sales tax by way of a proposed community improvement district, the ordinance must be approved by a two-thirds vote of the governing body.

Republican Party Platform: Job Creation

• Reducing the overall combined tax burden

The Freedom Principle MO supported this bill because it would have prevented local municipalities and/or school districts who try to pass tax increases and fail from immediately bringing them up at the next election, which may have a lower voter turnout.

*Scored House Vote

HB 2274 – Phases Out the Corporate Income Tax Freedom Principle MO Legislative Priority: Taxation/Budget Supported

For all tax years beginning on or after January 1, 2028, there shall be no tax imposed upon the Missouri taxable income of corporations. Once the corporate tax is fully reduced and eliminated, no corporate income tax credits will be claimed. However, a corporate taxpayer may redeem a refundable tax credit properly claimed and issued before the corporate tax is eliminated.

Republican Party Platform: Job Creation

• Reducing the overall combined tax burden

• Reducing government regulations and restrictions that prevent the creation of jobs and the growth of Missouri businesses

The Freedom Principle MO supported this bill because it would have phased out the corporate income tax, making Missouri more competitive with other states.

*Scored House Vote

HB 2576 – Trafficking of Drugs Freedom Principle MO Legislative Priority: Crime and Public Safety Supported

Trafficking drugs in the second degree is a class C felony if the person knowingly possesses or has under his or her control, purchases or attempts to purchase, or brings into this State more than 10 milligrams of fentanyl, and is a class B felony if the amount is 20 milligrams or more. This bill amends the quantities of fentanyl for the offense of trafficking drugs, in the first and second degree, as follows:

• Drug trafficking in the first degree is a class B felony for more than three but less than 14 milligrams of fentanyl

• Drug trafficking in the first degree is a class A felony for more than 14 milligrams of fentanyl

• Drug trafficking in the second degree is a class C felony for more than three but less than 14 milligrams of fentanyl

• Drug trafficking in the second degree is a class B felony for more than 14 milligrams of fentanyl.

Republican Party Platform: Law Enforcement and the Administration of Justice

• Strict enforcement and prosecution of laws on illegal drugs

The Freedom Principle MO strongly supported this bill. With the invasion at the border, communities are being flooded with fentanyl and other illegal drugs. These drugs are impacting our inner-city communities. The trafficking of drugs leads not only to overdose deaths but also to additional gun violence.

*Scored House Vote

HJR 132 – Proposes a Constitutional Amendment Relating to Certain Sexual Offenses Involving Children Freedom Principle MO Legislative Priority: Crime and Public Safety Support

This resolution proposes an amendment to the Missouri Constitution to provide that the penalty for sexual trafficking of a child in the first degree is life imprisonment without eligibility for probation or parole. For this provision, life imprisonment means for the duration of the person's natural life.

Republican Party Platform: Law Enforcement and the Administration of Justice

• Expansion of state laws protecting our children against sexual predators

• Aggressive prosecution of those who deprive individuals of their God-given right to liberty by engaging in human trafficking

The Freedom Principle MO supported this bill because we believe we need to do everything we can to protect children from exploitation and human trafficking.

*Scored House Vote

SB 756 – Modifies a Property Tax Credit for Certain Seniors Freedom Principle MO Legislative Priority: Taxation/Budget Supported

Current law authorizes a property tax credit for certain seniors who are eligible for Social Security retirement benefits. This act modifies the definition of "eligible credit amount" and adds a definition of "initial credit year". This act also modifies the definition of "eligible taxpayer" by providing that a taxpayer shall be 62 years of age or older, rather than eligible for Social Security retirement benefits.

This act also provides that an ordinance authorizing a property tax credit that is adopted by a county shall not preclude such ordinance from being subsequently amended or superseded by a petition adopted according to the act.

Republican Party Platform: Job Creation

• Reducing the overall combined tax burden

The Freedom Principle MO supported this bill because it would provide a property tax credit for seniors. Additionally, it would prevent counties from modifying or applying a means test to the tax credit.

*Scored House and Senate Vote

Amendment 3841 SO2.O3S to SB 818 – Prohibit COVID Vaccine Mandates and Passports Freedom Principle MO Legislative Priority: Medical Freedom Support

No [county, city, town or village] public or private entity in this state receiving public funds or any other public accommodation shall require documentation of an individual having received a vaccination against COVID-19 for the individual to access transportation systems [or], facilities, services, or any other public accommodations. As used in this section, public accommodation shall have the same meaning as “places of public accommodation.”

No student shall be required, as a condition of school attendance or participation in school-sponsored extracurricular activities, to be immunized against COVID-19.  No school shall require students to undergo COVID-19 diagnostic testing as an alternative to receiving a COVID-19 vaccination.

Republican Party Platform: Faith

• Conscience legislation so that no person, business, or organization can be penalized for its exercise of religious freedom by not providing services that violate their religious beliefs.

The Freedom Principle MO supports an individual’s right to informed consent.

*Scored Senate Vote