HCS/SS#4/SCS/SJRs 74, 48, 59, 61 & 83 - This constitutional amendment, if approved by the voters, modifies various provisions relating to constitutional amendments.VOTER APPROVAL THRESHOLD (Sections 2(b) and 3(c))
Current law provides that any constitutional amendment or new constitution shall take effect at the end of 30 days after the election when approved by a simple majority of the votes cast on the measure. This amendment requires all such proposed constitutional amendments and new constitutions to receive a majority of the votes cast statewide as well as a majority of the votes cast in at least a majority of the Congressional districts, such approved amendments to take effect at the end of 30 days after the election.
PROHIBITING FOREIGN ACTIVITY IN INITIATIVE PETITIONS (Section 2(c))
The amendment creates new restrictions relating to foreign government activity with respect to constitutional amendments. Specifically, it shall be unlawful for:
· A government of a foreign country or a foreign political party to sponsor an initiative petition proposing a constitutional amendment;
· A government of a foreign country or a foreign political party to directly or indirectly make contributions in connection with an election on a constitutional amendment or contributions in support of or opposition to a proposed constitutional amendment;
· A government of a foreign country or a foreign political party to directly or indirectly make an expenditure, independent expenditure, or disbursement for an electioneering communication, whether print, broadcast, or digital media, or otherwise, related to a proposed constitutional amendment; 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 a proposed constitutional amendment.
LEGAL VOTERS AND ELECTORS (Section 2(d))
No person shall be eligible to vote on any measure submitted to the people that amends, repeals, or replaces the constitution, whether submitted through the initiative petition process, by the General Assembly, or by a constitutional convention, unless such person is a legal resident of the state of Missouri and a citizen of the United States of America.
REVIEW AND COMMENT PERIOD (Section 2(e))
The amendment requires that legal voters in each Congressional district be given the opportunity to review and comment upon all initiative petitions proposing constitutional amendments following the filing of the petition with the Secretary of State, not less than 15 days prior to the measure appearing on the ballot. Such process shall be administered by the Secretary of State in a public forum.
SCOTT SVAGERA
HA 1 - MODIFIES INTERSECTIONAL REFERENCE TO ARTICLE III OF THE CONSTITUTION; MODIFIES THE PUBLIC REVIEW AND COMMENT PERIOD PROVISION BY APPLYING IT TO "CONSTITUTIONAL AMENDMENTS PROPOSED THROUGH INITIATIVE PETITION" RATHER THAN "INITIATIVE PETITIONS PROPOSING AMENDMENTS TO THE CONSTITUTION."