Req. No. 3472 Page 1 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 13 14 15 16 17 18 19 20 21 22 23 24 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 13 14 15 16 17 18 19 20 21 22 23 24 STATE OF OKLAHOMA 2nd Session of the 58th Legislature (2022) SENATE JOINT RESOLUTION 31 By: Merrick AS INTRODUCED A Joint Resolution directing the Secretary of State to refer to the people for their approval or rejection a proposed amend ments to Section 1 of Article I and Section 1 of Article II of the Oklahoma Constitution; declaring the State of Oklahoma a free and independent sovereign state; clarifying the preservation of the right of local self-government; clarifying the right of a repu blican form of government; clarifying the inalienable right of the people to abolish, alter, or reform their government; providing ballot title; and directing filing . BE IT RESOLVED BY THE SEN ATE AND THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES OF THE 2ND SESSION OF THE 58TH OKLAHOMA LEGISLATURE: SECTION 1. The Secretary of State shall refer to the people for their approval or rejection, as and in the manner provided by law, the following proposed amendments to Section 1 of Article I and Section 1 of Article II of the Oklahoma Cons titution to read as follows: Section 1. The State of Oklahoma is an inseparable a free and independent sovereign state and by choice a part of the Federal Union known as the United States of America, and recognizes that the Constitution of the United States is the supreme law of the land. Req. No. 3472 Page 2 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 13 14 15 16 17 18 19 20 21 22 23 24 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 13 14 15 16 17 18 19 20 21 22 23 24 The maintenance of our free institutions and the perpetuity of the Federal Union depend upon the preservation of the right of local self-government, unimpaired to all the states. Section 1. All political power is inherent in the people; and government is all free governments are founded on their authority and instituted for their protection, security, and benefit, and to promote their general welfare; the faith of the people of Oklaho ma stands pledged to the preservation of a republican form of government and, subject to this limitation only, they have at all times the inalienable right to abolish, alter or reform the same whenever the public good may require it: Provided, such change be not repugnant to the Constitution of the United States. SECTION 2. The Ballot Title for the propo sed Constitutional amendment as set forth in SECTION 1 of this resolution shall be in the following form: BALLOT TITLE Legislative Referendum No. ____ State Question No. ____ THE GIST OF THE PROPOSITIO N IS AS FOLLOWS: This measure amends Section 1 of Article 1 and Section 1 of Article 2 of the Oklahoma Constitution. The measure amends Section 1 of Article 1 to declare the State of Oklahoma a free and independent sovereign state and a part of the Federal Union with the United States Constitution as the su preme law of the land and to confirm the preservation of the right of local self - Req. No. 3472 Page 3 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 13 14 15 16 17 18 19 20 21 22 23 24 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 13 14 15 16 17 18 19 20 21 22 23 24 government. The measure amends Section 1 of Article 2 to confirm the preservation of a republican form of governme nt and the inalienable right of the people to abolish, alter or reform their government when required by the public good. SHALL THE PROPOSAL BE APPRO VED? FOR THE PROPOSAL — YES _____________ AGAINST THE PROPOSAL — NO _____________ SECTION 3. The President Pro Tempore of the Senate shall, immediately after the passage of this resolution, pre pare and file one copy thereof, including the Ballot Title set forth in SECTION 2 hereof, with the Secretary of State and one copy with the Attorney General. 58-2-3472 TEK 1/19/2022 3:00:10 PM