SJR 51 - This constitutional amendment, if approved by the voters, modifies various provisions relating to initiative petitions.RESTRICTIONS ON USE OF INITIATIVE FOR CERTAIN TOPICS (SECTION 51.1 AND 51.4)
The amendment prohibits initiative petitions on the following topics:
· Raising sales taxes on food; and
· Raising, expanding, or imposing any taxes or fees on real estate, real estate transactions, or real or personal property.
Additionally, the General Assembly is given exclusive authority to enact laws enforcing provisions in the Constitution relating to ballot measures.
PROHIBITING FOREIGN ACTIVITY IN INITIATIVE PETITIONS (SECTION 54.2)
The amendment creates new restrictions relating to foreign government activity with respect to initiative petitions. Specifically, it shall be unlawful for:
· A government of a foreign country or a foreign political party to sponsor an initiative petition;
· A government of a foreign country or a foreign political party to directly or indirectly make contributions in connection with an initiative petition or contributions in support or opposition to an initiative petition;
· An expenditure, independent expenditure, or disbursement for an electioneering communication, whether print, broadcast, or digital media, or otherwise, related to an initiative petition; or
· A person to solicit, accept, or receive a contribution or donation from a government of a foreign country or a foreign political party, in connection with an initiative petition.
VOTER APPROVAL THRESHOLD (SECTION 51.3)
Current law provides that any initiative petition proposing a constitutional amendment shall take effect when approved by a simple majority of the votes cast on the measure. This amendment requires such petitions to receive a majority of the votes cast statewide as well as a majority of the votes cast in a majority of the Congressional districts.
This constitutional amendment is identical to SJR 77 (2024) and similar to SJR 49 (2024), SJR 51 (2024), SJR 79 (2024), SJR 81 (2024), certain provisions in HJR 86 (2024), and CCS/SS#3/HCS/HJR 43 (2023).
SCOTT SVAGERA