Bill > SB2920

This bill establishes a process for qualified electors, or registered voters, in Mississippi to propose amendments to the state's laws, which are compiled in the Mississippi Code of 1972. To initiate this process, a voter must first submit a proposed amendment, known as a "measure," to the Secretary of State, detailing its funding requirements and any potential cuts to existing programs. The bill outlines specific restrictions, preventing the use of this initiative process to change laws related to the initiative process itself or to amend laws concerning the Mississippi Public Employees' Retirement System (PERS). The Secretary of State then works with the Attorney General to review the measure for form and style, and a ballot title and summary are created. If any party is dissatisfied with the ballot title or summary, they can appeal to a court. To qualify for the ballot, a petition supporting the measure must gather signatures from at least 12% of voters who participated in the last gubernatorial election, with a minimum number of signatures required from each of the state's three Supreme Court districts. The bill also sets rules for petition circulation, requires a $500 filing fee, and specifies when the Secretary of State can refuse to file a petition, with provisions for appeals to the Supreme Court. It limits the number of initiative proposals on a single ballot to five and outlines the voting thresholds required for an initiative to pass, with a higher threshold needed for measures affecting taxes or debt. Finally, the bill includes regulations on campaign finance for initiatives, prohibiting certain activities near polling places and making it illegal to offer incentives for signing or voting on petitions or measures, with penalties for violations.

Government Affairs

https://billstatus.ls.state.ms.us/2026/pdf/history/SB/SB2920.xml