INITIATIVE & REFERENDUM PETITIONS S.J.R. K:
REVISED COMMITTEE SUMMARY
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Senate Joint Resolution K (as introduced 2-12-08)
Sponsor: Senator Michelle A. McManus
Committee: Campaign and Election Oversight
Date Completed: 4-28-08
CONTENT
The joint resolution would amend the State Constitution to require that petitions for initiative or referendum be signed by a number of registered electors who were residents in at least three-fourths of the House districts of this State, and who, in each of those House districts, were equal in number to at least 7% of those who voted in that House district for Governor at the last preceding general election at which a Governor was elected.
Under Article II, Section 9 of the State Constitution, the people reserve to themselves the power to propose laws and to enact and reject laws, called the initiative, and the power to approve or reject laws enacted by the Legislature, called the referendum. For the initiative or referendum to be invoked, petitions must be signed by a number of registered electors equaling a minimum percentage of the total vote cast for all candidates for Governor at the last preceding general election at which a Governor was elected. The percentage is 8% for initiative and 5% for referendum. Under the resolution, petitions also would have to meet the representation requirements described above.
If two-thirds of the members elected to and serving in each house of the Legislature approved the joint resolution, it would have to be submitted to voters at the next general election.
Legislative Analyst: Craig Laurie
FISCAL IMPACT
The joint resolution would have no fiscal impact on State or local government.
Fiscal Analyst: Joe Carrasco
Analysis was prepared by nonpartisan Senate staff for use by the Senate in its deliberations and does not constitute an official statement of legislative intent. sjrk/0708