Proposed State Constitutional Amendments - Digest of Bills

Digest of Bills - 1995

PROPOSED STATE CONSTITUTIONAL AMENDMENTS

S.C.R. 95-2 Ballot measures amending constitution - 60% of vote to adopt - exception - submittal at general election only - restrictions on amending initiated laws. Requires approval by 60% of the votes cast, rather than a simple majority, to adopt any initiated or referred amendment to the state constitution. Creates an exception to this requirement until January 1, 2003, by allowing approval by a simple majority vote of a proposed amendment to amend or repeal any provision that was adopted by a simple majority under former requirements.

Specifies that initiated and referred measures to amend the constitution must be submitted at a biennial regular election and prohibits submittal of such measures to the voters at an election in an odd-numbered year.

Prohibits the general assembly from amending any law enacted by the people by initiative within 4 years of its adoption unless the amendment is approved by 2/3 of each house of the general assembly.

EFFECTIVE upon the Governor's proclamation or thirty days after a canvas of the votes is completed, whichever occurs earlier.

S.C.R. 95-7 Taxpayer's bill of rights - election provisions - ballot information - mailing. Increases the time period during which local governments must mail the titled notice and ballot information required under section 20 of article X of the state constitution from 15-25 days to at least 30 days before a ballot issue election. Increases the time period from 30 days to 45 days before an election during which persons may file written comments to a ballot proposal which are included in such mailing. Allows state and local governments to coordinate the mailing of such notice and ballot information with the distribution of the ballot information booklet for state measures.

EFFECTIVE upon the Governor's proclamation or thirty days after a canvas of the votes is completed, whichever occurs earlier.