Title:

Brief Description: Amending the Constitution to remove initiatives and referenda powers.

Sponsors: Senator Jacobsen.

Brief History:

Committee Activity: Government Operations & Elections: 1/26/06.

SENATE COMMITTEE ON GOVERNMENT OPERATIONS & ELECTIONS

Staff: Diane Smith (786-7410)

Background: The State Constitution vests the legislative authority of the State in the Legislature but the people reserve to themselves the power of initiative. The power of initiative is the power of the people to propose bills, laws, and to enact or reject bills and laws at the polls, independent of the Legislature. The people also reserve the power of referendum. The power of referendum is the power of the people, at their own option, to approve or reject at the polls any act, item, section, or part of any bill, act, or law passed by the Legislature.

Summary of Bill: The powers of initiative and referendum are removed from the State Constitution.

Appropriation: None.

Fiscal Note: Not requested.

Committee/Commission/Task Force Created: No.

Effective Date: Ninety days after adjournment of session in which bill is passed.