Oklahoma 2022 Regular Session

Oklahoma Senate Bill SJR44 Latest Draft

Bill / Introduced Version Filed 01/20/2022

                             
 
 
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STATE OF OKLAHOMA 
 
2nd Session of the 58th Legislature (2022) 
 
SENATE JOINT 
RESOLUTION 44 	By: Jett 
 
 
 
 
AS INTRODUCED 
 
A Joint Resolution directing the Se cretary of State 
to refer to the people fo r their approval or 
rejection a proposed amendment t o Section 1 of 
Article VIII of the Oklahoma Constitution; making 
district attorneys subject to impeachment 
proceedings; updating language; making language 
gender neutral; providing ballot title; and directing 
filing. 
 
 
 
 
BE IT RESOLVED BY THE SENAT E AND THE HOUSE OF RE PRESENTATIVES 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 propos ed amendment to Section 1 of Article VIII of the 
Oklahoma Constitution to read as follows: 
Section 1.  The Governor, and other elective state officers , 
including the Justices of the Sup reme Court, and district attorneys 
shall be liable and s ubject to impeachment for wilful willful 
neglect of duty, corruption in office, habitual drunkenness, 
incompetency, or any offense involving moral turpitude committed 
while in office.  All elected sta te officers, including Justices of   
 
 
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the Supreme Court and Judges of the Court of Criminal Appeals, and 
district attorneys shall be automatically suspended from office upon 
their being declared guilty of a felony by a court of competent 
jurisdiction and thei r pay and allowances, otherwise payable to such 
official, shall be with held during the period of such suspension.  
In the event such verdict of guilty is reversed by a court of 
competent jurisdiction on appeal, such accumulated pay and 
allowances which have been withheld shall be paid to such official 
and he or she shall be automatically reinstated in office to serve 
the remaining part of the term for which he or she was elected.  
Such official shall not be entitled to any pay or allowances for a 
period of time after the term of office would otherwise have expired 
and he or she shall not be entitled to reinstateme nt in office after 
the expiration of the term for which he or she was elected.  
Whenever any Justice of the Supreme Court or Judge of the Cour t of 
Criminal Appeals is suspended by reasons of this section, the 
Governor shall be authorized to appoint a temporary Ju stice or Judge 
to serve during the period of such suspension and such temporary 
Justice or Judge shall be paid for his or her services the 
compensation allowed for such regular Justice or Judge. 
SECTION 2.  The Ballot Title for t he proposed Constitutional 
amendment as set forth in SECTION 1 of this resolution shall be in 
the following form: 
BALLOT TITLE   
 
 
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Legislative Referendum N o. ____ State Question No. ____ 
THE GIST OF THE PROPOSITION IS AS FOLLO WS: 
This measure will amend Section 1 of Article 8 of the Oklahoma 
Constitution. The measure will make district attorneys subject 
to impeachment proceedin gs for criminal conduct while in off ice. 
SHALL THE PROPOSAL BE APPROVED? 
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, prepare and file 
one copy thereof, including the Ballot Title se t forth in SECTION 2 
hereof, with the Secretary of State and one copy with the Attorney 
General. 
 
58-2-3434 TEK 1/20/2022 5:46:40 PM