MISSISSIPPI LEGISLATURE

2023 Regular Session

To: Accountability, Efficiency, Transparency

By: Senator(s) Blount

Senate Concurrent Resolution 517

A CONCURRENT RESOLUTION PROPOSING AN AMENDMENT TO SECTION 33, MISSISSIPPI CONSTITUTION OF 1890, TO PROVIDE THAT THE LEGISLATURE BY GENERAL LAW MAY PROVIDE FOR A CITIZEN INITIATIVE PROCEDURE FOR PROPOSING AMENDMENTS TO MISSISSIPPI STATUTES.

     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 33, Mississippi Constitution of 1890, to read as follows:

     Section 33.  (1)  The legislative power of this state shall be vested in a Legislature which shall consist of a Senate and a House of Representatives.

     (2)  (a)  The Legislature by general law may provide for a citizen initiative procedure for proposing amendments to the general laws of Mississippi.

          (b)  Any initiative procedure authorized by the Legislature under this section shall not be used to propose any new law or amend or repeal any existing law relating to the Mississippi Public Employees' Retirement System.

          (c)  Initiative measures approved by the people under this section shall not require the signature of the Governor to become law and shall not be subject to the veto power of the Governor.

     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 2023, 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 authorizes the Legislature to enact legislation establishing a citizen initiative procedure for proposing amendments to the general laws of Mississippi."