Initiative measure; create procedures for qualified elector to propose amendment to the Mississippi Code of 1972.
Impact
The introduction of SB2522 would mark a significant change in the way that citizens can influence legislative amendments, thereby enhancing direct democracy in Mississippi. The bill mandates that petitions must collect a minimum of 12% of the votes from the last gubernatorial election and that a third of these signatures must come from each of the state's three Supreme Court districts. This stipulation ensures that there is wide geographic support for any proposed changes to state law, reflecting a more representative approach to lawmaking.
Summary
Senate Bill 2522 aims to create a formalized procedure for qualified electors in Mississippi to propose amendments to the Mississippi Code of 1972 through a petition process, enabling these proposals to be voted on in statewide elections. The bill outlines the necessary steps for filing initiative petitions, the responsibilities of the Secretary of State in processing these petitions, and the requirements regarding the content of initiative measures, including how they should identify funding sources or revenue implications related to the proposals.
Contention
Notable points of contention raised during discussions of the bill include concerns about potential abuses of the initiative process, such as the misleading collection of signatures or attempts to bypass established electoral procedures. There are also worries regarding the limiting of the initiative process when it comes to proposals affecting taxes or public employee retirement systems, which the bill outright prohibits. Some stakeholders argue that such restrictions could dilute the effectiveness of grassroots advocacy efforts aimed at policy reform.