12 Days of Liberty Alliance: The First 3 Bills of 2026
As Missouri lawmakers begin filing legislation for the 2026 legislative session, one theme is already clear: court reform legislation is front and center.
For years, conservative reforms have been delayed, diluted, or overturned by an increasingly unaccountable judicial system. Whether through activist rulings, procedural maneuvering, or a lack of transparency, Missouri courts now play an outsized role in shaping public policy.
That is why some of the first major conservative bills filed this session focus squarely on judicial accountability and court reform.
This post kicks off our 12 Days series for 2026. If you want the broader context on what we are watching this session, start here.
Senate Bill 977
Sharia Ban. Senate Bill 977 ensures that Missouri courts apply only U.S. and Missouri law, not foreign legal codes or religious law systems like Sharia.
The bill explicitly prohibits courts from considering or enforcing foreign laws that conflict with the Missouri Constitution, the U.S. Constitution, or state statutes. This includes the application of foreign religious legal systems, such as Sharia law, in Missouri court proceedings.
SB 977 reinforces a simple but foundational principle: Missouri laws are written by Missourians and interpreted under American constitutional standards.
– Sponsored by Senator Nick Schroer
See more HERE.
House Joint Resolution 119
Giving the voters a say. House Joint Resolution 119 proposes a constitutional amendment that would allow Missouri voters to decide whether to continue using the Missouri Plan for selecting judges in their judicial circuit.
Under the current system, judges are appointed through a ‘nonpartisan’ commission process that is stacked with legal insiders and insulated from voter control. HJR 119 removes that constitutional mandate and gives voters the authority to determine whether their circuit should continue using the Missouri Plan or transition to an alternative method established by law.
This resolution restores a core principle of self-government: Voters, not political insiders or unelected commissions, should have the final say over how judges are selected.
– Sponsored by Representative Cathy Jo Loy
See more HERE.
House Bill 2086
Ending Mandatory DEI Requirements for Attorneys. House Bill 2086 prohibits Missouri courts or licensing authorities from requiring attorneys to complete diversity, equity, and inclusion (DEI) training as part of their mandatory continuing legal education (CLE) requirements.
The bill makes clear that attorneys should not be compelled to participate in ideological or political programming to maintain their law license. Professional competence should be based on legal knowledge and ethical standards, not adherence to contested social or political viewpoints.
HB 2086 draws an important boundary between professional regulation and ideological enforcement within the legal system.
– Sponsored by Representative Ben Keathley
See more HERE.
Why Court Reform Comes First
The courts affect every policy priority, from tax relief to election integrity to parental rights. That’s why court reform legislation for Missouri is so critical.
If courts are unaccountable, no Conservative victory is permanent.
That is why these bills matter, and why they are the first in our 12 Days of Liberty Alliance series. We will continue highlighting legislation that protects Missouri voters, strengthens constitutional government, and restores trust in public institutions.
If you missed last year’s 12 Days coverage, you can catch up here.
Andy Bakker
Executive Director
Liberty Alliance USA