Bill > SJR8

This joint resolution proposes an amendment to the Iowa Constitution that would establish a process for citizens to initiate constitutional amendments through a petition process. Under the proposed amendment, citizens could propose a constitutional change by gathering signatures from qualified voters equal to 10 percent of the total gubernatorial ballots cast in the last election, with at least 5 percent of those signatures coming from at least half of Iowa's counties. The initiative petition must include the full text of the proposed amendment and would be submitted to the secretary of state for placement on the next general election ballot at least 125 days later. Petitioners would be allowed to include a 300-word argument in support of the amendment, and the government would be required to provide a 300-word counterargument. The proposed amendment includes limitations on the types of changes that can be initiated, such as prohibiting amendments that create monopolies, specify tax rates, or provide special commercial interests. The Iowa Supreme Court would have exclusive jurisdiction over challenges to the petition, with specific timelines established for filing and resolving such challenges. A proposed amendment that violates certain restrictions would require voters to approve both the right to propose the amendment and the amendment itself. If approved by a majority of voters, the constitutional amendment would take effect.

Government Affairs

https://www.legis.iowa.gov/legislation/BillBook?ga=91&ba=SJR8