This bill amends section 8-4-8 of the Code of West Virginia to establish a requirement for a petition from qualified voters before a previously defeated charter amendment can be reconsidered. Specifically, it stipulates that if a proposed amendment is rejected by a majority of legal votes cast during an election, that same amendment cannot be proposed again for at least one year unless a petition from qualified voters is submitted, as outlined in section 8-4-1(b) of the code.

The bill also clarifies that the process for amending a city charter is not limited to the provisions outlined in this section but is an additional method available to governing bodies. The changes aim to enhance the democratic process by ensuring that any reconsideration of a failed amendment reflects the will of the voters through a petition mechanism.

Statutes affected:
Introduced Version: 8-4-8