“Useless laws weaken the necessary laws.” – Charles-Louis de Secondat, baron de La Brède et de Montesquieu (1689 – 1755)

On December 1st bills for the 2024 Missouri General Assembly legislative session were pre-filed in Jefferson City.

A bill by pre-filed by Representative Dan Stacy (r):

HB 1414
Requires the national motto to be posted in all public buildings, including public schools
Sponsor: Stacy, Dan (031)
Proposed Effective Date: 8/28/2024
LR Number: 2995H.01I
Last Action: 12/01/2023 – Prefiled (H)
[….]

[….]
1.365. 1. If funds as described in subsection 3 of this section are available, local school superintendents, local building administrators, and chief administrators of the public schools in this state or institutions of higher education, or their respective designees, and the administrative officials of state agencies, or their respective designees, shall prominently display in a conspicuous place a durable poster or framed copy containing “In God We Trust”, the national motto of the United States, subject to the following requirements:
(1) The national motto shall be easily readable on a poster or framed copy of at least eleven inches by fourteen inches, be the central focus of the poster or framed copy, and be displayed in a large font size;
(2) An accurate representation of the United States flag shall be under the national motto on the poster; and
(3) An accurate representation of the Missouri state flag shall be under the national motto on the poster.
2. The durable posters or framed copies of the national motto described in section 1 of this section shall be displayed in each public institution of higher education and elementary and secondary school library and classroom in this state and in each public building or facility in this state that is maintained or operated by state funds.
3. The posters or framed copies authorized under this section shall either be donated or purchased solely with funds made available through voluntary contributions to the local school boards or the state board of public buildings for the purpose stated in this section.
[….]

[emphasis in original]

A semi-unfunded mandate? Just asking.