2026
69th Legislature 2025 HB 821.1
- 1 - Authorized Print Version – HB 821
1 HOUSE BILL NO. 821
2 INTRODUCED BY J. ETCHART
3
4 A BILL FOR AN ACT ENTITLED: “AN ACT SUBMITTING TO THE QUALIFIED ELECTORS OF MONTANA AN
5 AMENDMENT TO ARTICLE XIV, SECTION 9, OF THE MONTANA CONSTITUTION TO RAISE THE
6 NUMBER OF ELECTORS NEEDED TO APPROVE AN AMENDMENT TO THE CONSTITUTION MADE BY
7 INITIATIVE.”
8
9 BE IT ENACTED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF MONTANA:
10
11 Article XIV, section 9, of The Constitution of the State of Montana is amended to read:
12 "Section (1) The people may also propose constitutional amendments
13 by initiative. Petitions including the full text of the proposed amendment shall be signed by at least ten percent
14 of the qualified electors of the state. That number shall include at least ten percent of the qualified electors in
15 each of two-fifths of the legislative districts.
16 (2) The petitions shall be filed with the secretary of state. If the petitions are found to have been
17 signed by the required number of electors, the secretary of state shall cause the amendment to be published as
18 provided by law twice each month for two months previous to the next regular state-wide election.
19 (3) At that election, the proposed amendment shall be submitted to the qualified electors for
20 approval or rejection. If approved by a majority three-fifths of the electors voting thereon, it shall become a part
21 of the constitution effective the first day of July following its approval, unless the amendment provides
22 otherwise."
23
24 NEW SECTION. Section 2. Because [section 1] is a legislative proposal
25 to amend the constitution, Article XIV, section 9, of the Montana constitution requires an affirmative roll call vote
26 of two-thirds of all the members of the legislature, whether one or more bodies, for passage.
27
28 NEW SECTION. Section 3. [This act] shall be submitted to the qualified 2026
69th Legislature 2025 HB 821.1
- 2 - Authorized Print Version – HB 821
1 electors of Montana at the general election to be held in November 2026 by printing on the ballot the full title of
2 [this act] and the following:
3 [] YES on Constitutional Amendment ____.
4 [] NO on Constitutional Amendment ____.
5 - END -