HJR 35 -- EQUAL RIGHTS AMENDMENT

CO-SPONSORS:  Williams (121), Gunn, Davis (63), Riback Wilson,
Thompson (72), Fraser, Scheve, Carter, Days, Hollingsworth,
Boykins, Williams (159), Mays (50), Campbell, Ladd Stokan,
Murray, McLuckie, Lakin, Ford, Bray, Hagan-Harrell, Parker,
Relford, Dougherty, Fitzwater, Gaw, Shelton, Smith, Van Zandt,
Harlan, Graham (24), Schilling, Skaggs, Daniel (42), Franklin,
Seigfreid, Davis (122), Selby, Barry

COMMITTEE ACTION:  Voted "do pass" by the Committee on Critical
Issues by a vote of 12 to 6.

This joint resolution ratifies a proposed amendment to the
United States Constitution.  The amendment provides that
equality of rights shall not be denied or abridged on account of
sex. Congress is granted the power to enforce the amendment
which becomes effective 2 years following its ratification.

FISCAL NOTE:  No impact on state funds.

PROPONENTS:  Supporters say that the ERA is necessary to include
the rights of women in the United States Constitution.  In
recent years, some legal scholars have advocated that the time
limit on passing the ERA has not expired.

Testifying for the bill were Representative Williams (121);
National Women's Party; Robert Verchick; Warrensburg Business
and Professional Women; United Methodist Clergywomen; Mary
McLaughlin, Jackson County Business and Professional Women;
Missouri Federation of Business and Professional Women; League
of Women Voters of St. Louis; and Missouri Women's Network.

OPPONENTS:  Those who oppose the bill say that the amendment is
not necessary and may have some unintended, adverse consequences.

Testifying against the bill was Representative Cierpiot.

Katharine Hickel Barondeau, Legislative Analyst

HJR 35 -- Equal Rights Amendment

Co-Sponsors:  Williams (121), Gunn, Davis (63), Riback Wilson,
Thompson (72), Fraser, Scheve, Carter, Days, Hollingsworth,
Boykins, Williams (159), Mays (50), Campbell, Ladd Stokan,
Murray, McLuckie, Lakin, Ford, Bray, Hagan-Harrell, Parker,
Relford, Dougherty, Fitzwater, Gaw, Shelton, Smith, Van Zandt,
Harlan, Graham (24), Schilling, Skaggs, Daniel (42), Franklin,
Seigfreid, Davis (122), Selby, Barry

This joint resolution ratifies a proposed amendment to the
United States Constitution.  The amendment provides that
equality of rights shall not be denied or abridged on account of
sex. Congress is granted the power to enforce the amendment
which becomes effective 2 years following its ratification.