Bill > SC523

This concurrent resolution proposes an amendment to Section 33 of the Mississippi Constitution to establish a citizen initiative process that would allow qualified voters to propose new laws or amendments to existing statutes. The proposed amendment creates a detailed, multi-step procedure for citizens to initiate legislation, including filing a proposed measure with the Secretary of State, obtaining review and certification from the Attorney General, collecting signatures, and ultimately placing the proposed measure on the ballot. Key restrictions include limiting ballot initiatives to no more than five proposals per election, prohibiting changes to the ballot initiative process itself or to the Mississippi Employees' Retirement System (PERS), and requiring a majority vote for passage. The initiative would take effect 30 days after the official vote declaration, and approved initiatives cannot be amended by the Legislature for four years without a three-fourths legislative vote. The Secretary of State would be responsible for managing the process, including signature verification, public hearings, and creating informational pamphlets. If approved, this amendment would significantly expand direct democratic participation in Mississippi's legislative process by allowing citizens to propose and vote on new laws outside of the traditional legislative framework.

Government Affairs

https://billstatus.ls.state.ms.us/2025/pdf/history/SC/SC0523.xml