MISSISSIPPI LEGISLATURE

2004 Regular Session

To: Constitution

By: Representative Denny

House Concurrent Resolution 11

A CONCURRENT RESOLUTION PROPOSING AN AMENDMENT TO SECTION 70, MISSISSIPPI CONSTITUTION OF 1890, TO PROVIDE THAT BILLS THAT REDUCE TAXES REQUIRE ONLY A MAJORITY VOTE FOR PASSAGE; AND FOR RELATED PURPOSES.

     BE IT RESOLVED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF MISSISSIPPI, That the following amendment to the Mississippi Constitution of 1890 is proposed to the qualified electors of the state:

     Amend Section 70, Mississippi Constitution of 1890, to read as follows:

     "Section 70.  No revenue bill, or any bill providing for assessments of property for taxation, shall become a law except by a vote of at least three-fifths (3/5) of the members of each house present and voting.  For the purposes of this section, a bill is not a revenue bill because it provides for a reduction in taxes, and only a majority vote of the members of each house present and voting may be required by the Legislature for passage of any such bill."

     BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED, That this proposed amendment shall be submitted by the Secretary of State to the qualified electors at an election to be held on the first Tuesday after the first Monday of November 2004 as provided by Section 273 of the Constitution and by general law.

     BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED, That the explanation of this proposed amendment for the ballot shall read as follows: "This proposed amendment provides that bills that reduce taxes require only a majority vote for passage."