While the legislature remains on an epidemic-induced hiatus, this Roll Call Report describes some recent constitutional amendment proposals of general interest.
Senate Joint Resolution L: Call for 'Article V' U.S. constitutional convention for term limits, balanced budget
Introduced by Sen. Curt VanderWall (R), to submit an application to Congress calling for a "convention to propose amendments to the U.S. Constitution," to "impose fiscal restraints on the federal government, limit the powers and jurisdiction of the federal government, and limit the terms of office for its officials and for members of Congress," but no other purposes. Referred to committee, no further action at this time.
Senate Joint Resolution M: Ban candidates with delinquent campaign finance fines and disclosures
Introduced by Sen. Peter Lucido (R), to place before voters in the next general election a constitutional amendment to prohibit a candidate from running for office if he or she has delinquent campaign finance statements, reports, fees, or fines. Referred to committee, no further action at this time.
House Joint Resolution Q: Authorize 'Upper Peninsula Natural Resources Commission'
Introduced by Rep. Beau LaFave (R), to place before voters in the next general election a proposal to create an “Upper Peninsula Natural Resources Commission” in the state constitution, and transfer to it the authority of the current Michigan Natural Resources Commission to make decisions regarding hunting and fishing in the U.P. Referred to committee, no further action at this time.
House Joint Resolution P: Repeal people’s power to 'initiate' legislation
Introduced by Rep. Lori Stone (D), to place before voters in the next general election a repeal of the current provision of the state constitution authorizing “initiated legislation.”
Under this provision, voters may place a proposed law before the legislature by submitting a petition with signatures equivalent to 8% of the previous governor election turnout. The legislature then has 40 days to pass it, and no approval by the governor is required for the new law to go into effect. If the legislature does not pass the proposal it automatically goes on the next general election ballot. The legislature can also propose an alternative measure, and then both proposals go on the ballot. Under this provision, all of that would be repealed. Referred to committee, no further action at this time. .
