Req. No. 79 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
STATE OF OKLAHOMA
1st Session of the 59th Legislature (2023)
SENATE JOINT
RESOLUTION 13 By: Paxton
AS INTRODUCED
A Joint Resolution directing the Se cretary of State
to refer to the people for their approval or
rejection a proposed amendmen t to 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 S ENATE AND THE HOUSE OF RE PRESENTATIVES OF THE
1ST SESSION OF THE 59TH OKLAHOMA LEGISLATURE:
SECTION 1. The Secretary of State shall refer to the peo ple for
their approval or rejection, as and in the manner provided by law,
the following proposed 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
Req. No. 79 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
while in office. All elected sta te officers, including Justices of
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 compete nt
jurisdiction and thei r pay and allowances, otherwise payable to such
official, shall be withheld 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 all owances 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 o r Judge of the Court 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:
Req. No. 79 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
BALLOT TITLE
Legislative Referendum N o. ____ State Question No. ____
THE GIST OF THE PROPOSITION IS AS FOLLOWS:
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 thi s 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.
59-1-79 TEK 1/17/2023 7:02:53 PM