AJR 111

This constitutional amendment, proposed to the 2019 legislature on first

consideration, creates a petition process by which the people may propose and

approve laws at an election. Under the amendment, the people may propose, by

petition filed with the secretary of state, laws for a vote at an election. The petition

must:

1. Be signed by qualified electors equaling at least 5 percent of the vote cast for

the office of secretary of state at the last preceding election for secretary of state.

2. Include the full text of the proposed law prepared in proper form, as provided

by law, and the entire text of the referendum question, as well as an explanatory

statement of the effect of either a “yes" or “no" vote. Upon request by any qualified

elector, the secretary of state must have the proposed law drafted in proper form and

made available to the public.

3. Be filed with the secretary of state not fewer than 120 days before the election

at which the proposed law is to be voted upon.

After verifying the petition's signatures, the secretary of state must order the

submission of the initiative law to the qualified electors of the state for their approval

or rejection at the next succeeding general election occurring subsequent to 120 days

after the filing of the petition.

If approved by a majority of the qualified electors voting at the election

described above, the initiative law then must be introduced for consideration by the

legislature in the legislative session following that election. The initiative law may

not be altered or amended by the legislature and may not be partially vetoed by the

governor.

After having been introduced as proposed legislation, if the initiative law does

not then become law, the secretary of state must order the submission of the initiative

law to the qualified electors of the state for their approval or rejection at the next

succeeding general election. If approved, the initiative law becomes law.

A proposed constitutional amendment requires adoption by two successive

legislatures, and ratification by the people, before it can become effective.