This joint resolution proposes an amendment to the Constitution of the State of Iowa that establishes a process for citizen initiatives and referendums. It allows qualified electors to submit petitions to amend the Constitution or the Iowa Code, requiring signatures from at least three-fourths of the congressional districts in the state. Specifically, an initiative petition for a constitutional amendment must gather signatures equal to 8 percent of the total votes cast for governor in the previous election, while a petition for a law requires 5 percent. The petitions must be submitted to the secretary of state at least six months before the next general election, and initiatives cannot appropriate funds beyond new revenues created by the initiative itself.

Additionally, the amendment outlines a procedure for citizens to refer bills passed by the general assembly to the electorate for approval. This requires a petition signed by qualified electors from three-fourths of the congressional districts, equal to 5 percent of the total votes cast for governor in the previous election, to be filed within 90 days after the session's adjournment. Notably, bills referred to the public are not subject to gubernatorial approval or veto. The resolution will be published and referred to the next general assembly for adoption before being submitted to voters for ratification.