South Dakota House Bill HB1200

South Dakota 2023 Regular Session

• Introduced: 2/1/23
• Refer: 2/1/23
• Refer: 2/13/23
• Report Pass: 2/21/23
• Engrossed: 2/22/23
• Refer: 2/23/23

Caption

Require a percentage of signatures on a petition to initiate a constitutional amendment to be obtained from each legislative district.

Impact

The proposed changes in HB 1200 would significantly alter the dynamics of initiating constitutional amendments within the state. By requiring signatures from each legislative district, the bill aims to balance the influence of various regions, enhancing the democratic process by ensuring diverse voter engagement. Proponents argue that this would stop urban areas from dominating the amendment proposals, ensuring that rural perspectives are adequately represented. This could lead to a more equitable consideration of issues and enhance the legitimacy of such amendments.

Summary

House Bill 1200 aims to amend the requirements for initiating constitutional amendments in South Dakota. The bill stipulates that petitions to propose constitutional amendments must not only gather signatures from qualified electors equal to at least ten percent of the total votes cast for Governor in the last election, but it also mandates that a minimum of one-thirty-fifth of these signatures must be collected from each legislative district. This change is intended to ensure broader geographical representation in the petitioning process and prevent potential overrepresentation from more populous areas.

Sentiment

The sentiment surrounding HB 1200 appears to be mixed among lawmakers and advocacy groups. Supporters believe it is a necessary reform that will empower voters across all legislative districts and promote a balanced approach to constitutional changes. In contrast, critics argue that such a requirement may complicate the process of gathering signatures and could disproportionately disadvantage grassroots movements, which often rely on widespread, localized engagement rather than organized district-level campaigns.

Contention

Notable points of contention concerning HB 1200 revolve around concerns about accessibility and the practicalities of gathering signatures across multiple districts. Detractors fear that the additional requirements could hinder the ability of citizens to initiate amendments on key issues, thus stifling public participation in governance. Additionally, the debate shines a light on the broader discussion about representation and equity in the legislative process, with opposing views on how best to balance the interests of different regions within the state.