SPONSOR: Lewis (6)
COMMITTEE ACTION: Voted "Do Pass" by the Standing Committee on Elections and Elected Officials by a vote of 7 to 3.
Upon voter approval, this proposed Constitutional amendment would require a 60% supermajority vote in order to amend the state Constitution.
This bill is similar to HJR 79 (2020).
PROPONENTS: Supporters say that it is too easy to amend the state Constitution with a simple majority vote. This is a moderate proposal that will ensure more support for changing the fundamental law of the state.
Testifying for the bill were Representative Lewis; Missouri Corn Growers Association; Missouri Chamber of Commerce and Industry; Missouri Cattlemen S Association; Opportunity Solutions Project; Missouri Farm Bureau; and the Missouri Soybean Association.
OPPONENTS: Those who oppose the bill say that it is very difficult to place an amendment on the ballot. The right to initiative petition is a fundamental right and the Constitution assumes that the people can make changes by majority vote.
Testifying against the bill were Alice Barber; Barbara Beier; United for Missouri; Frances Farah; Missouri AFL-CIO; Jahnavi Delmonico; Richard G Von Glahn, Missouri Jobs with Justice Voter Action; Sarah Starnes; Stephen Davey; Susan Gibson; Melissa Vatterott, Missouri Coalition for the Environment; John Saxton; Arnie Dienoff; Padraic McGrath; Brian Wingbermuehle; Planned Parenthood Advocates in Missouri; Stephanie A. Clarke; Missouri Budget Project; Carly Langlois; Gene Davison; Shelley Swoyer; Susan Keturah Schmalzbauer; Tony Smith; Collins F Chetwin; Lisa Ann Williams; Margie Richcreek; Sierra Club Missouri Chapter; Jobs with Justice Voters Action; and Kevin Fitzgerald.
Written testimony has been submitted for this bill. The full written testimony can be found under Testimony on the bill page on the House website.