A RESOLUTION to propose an amendment to the Constitution of Tennessee, to provide for the people to propose laws by initiative.
Impact
The proposed amendment could significantly alter the legislative landscape in Tennessee by establishing a formal mechanism for direct voter involvement in lawmaking. If adopted, the law would require that a certain percentage of the voters—specifically, five percent of those who voted in the last gubernatorial election—sign off on initiative petitions for laws to be considered. This change could enhance the responsiveness of the state government to its citizens’ concerns, allowing for issues that may not gain traction in the legislature to be brought directly to voters.
Summary
HJR0042 proposes an amendment to the Constitution of Tennessee that would empower citizens to propose laws through an initiative process. This resolution aims to allow the electorate to bypass the state legislature for specific legislative proposals, thereby increasing citizen participation in the law-making process. The resolution outlines the procedural requirements for initiating a petition, including the necessary signatures from registered voters and the timeline for filing said petitions. It emphasizes that a proposed initiative must clearly state its intent and may only encompass a single subject, reflecting a preference for clarity in citizen-driven legislative actions.
Contention
While proponents argue that empowering citizens to initiate legislation would enhance democratic engagement and address concerns directly from the populace, critics have expressed concerns about the potential for misuse of the initiative process. There is a fear that well-funded interest groups could dominate the initiative process, flooding the ballot with measures that may not serve the broader interests of the electorate. Additionally, some legislators have voiced apprehension that this could undermine the traditional legislative process, reducing the role of elected representatives in shaping state laws. The resolution faced resistance in voting, notably failing in subcommittee with a vote of 1 to 7, demonstrating the contentious nature of this proposal within the Tennessee General Assembly.