Mississippi Senate Bill SB2770

Mississippi 2024 Regular Session

• Introduced: 2/19/24
• Refer: 2/19/24
• Engrossed: 3/14/24
• Failed: 3/18/24

Caption

Ballot initiative process; revise statutory implementation.

Impact

The proposed amendments would modify several existing statutes in the Mississippi code, making significant changes to how initiative measures are processed. Most notably, SB2770 requires that any initiative measure must be accompanied by a fiscal analysis prepared by the Legislative Budget Office, assessing the financial implications of the initiative. This requirement is meant to ensure transparency and allow voters to fully understand the potential costs involved before casting their votes on initiative measures.

Summary

Senate Bill 2770 seeks to amend the initiative measure process in Mississippi by establishing that amendments to the state constitution can only be proposed by the legislature. However, it also preserves the right of the people to initiate new laws and amend or repeal existing laws, providing mechanisms for such initiatives to be submitted to voters independently from legislative action. The bill aims to streamline the process and impose clear guidelines for financial implications and administrative responsibilities associated with initiative measures.

Contention

A crucial point of contention surrounding the bill is the balance of power between the legislature and the electorate. Supporters argue that limiting constitutional amendments to legislative proposals protects the state’s governance from hasty changes driven by popular sentiment. Conversely, opponents contend that this undermines democratic participation by limiting the power of citizens to influence the constitution and potentially disenfranchising voters who wish to see changes implemented without legislative control. The discourse surrounding this bill reflects broader debates on legislative authority and public initiative rights within the state.