SJR 2008 (LSB 5373SV (1) 87)

SENATE JOINT RESOLUTION 2008

BY  COMMITTEE ON STATE GOVERNMENT

(SUCCESSOR TO SSB 3116)

SENATE JOINT RESOLUTION

A Joint Resolution proposing an amendment to the Constitution of the State of Iowa relating to the consideration of bills by each house of the general assembly.

BE IT RESOLVED BY THE GENERAL ASSEMBLY OF THE STATE OF IOWA:

    Section 1.  The following amendment to the Constitution of the State of Iowa is proposed:
   Article III of the Constitution of the State of Iowa is amended by adding the following new section:
   Consideration of bills.  SEC. 16A.  A majority of all the members elected to a house of the general assembly shall be sufficient to require consideration of a bill or joint resolution in that house. The rules of each house shall provide that a bill or joint resolution, duly introduced, upon the filing with the presiding officer of the house of a written petition for the consideration by the full house of such bill or joint resolution signed by a majority of all the members elected to that house, shall be called up for debate within fifteen legislative days of such filing of the petition. Within fifteen legislative days of the bill or joint resolution being called up for debate, all amendments to the bill or joint resolution shall be considered and disposed of and the bill or joint resolution shall be read for the last time and immediately placed upon its final passage. Within five legislative days of final passage of the bill or joint resolution, any motions to reconsider the bill or joint resolution shall be disposed of and the bill or joint resolution shall be immediately messaged to the other house.
    Sec. 2.
  REFERRAL AND PUBLICATION.
  The foregoing amendment to the Constitution of the State of Iowa is referred to the general assembly to be chosen at the next general election for members of the general assembly, and the secretary of state is directed to cause the same to be published for three consecutive months previous to the date of that election as provided by law.
EXPLANATION
The inclusion of this explanation does not constitute agreement with
the explanation’s substance by the members of the general assembly.
   This joint resolution proposes an amendment to the Constitution of the State of Iowa providing for the rules of each house of the general assembly relating to the consideration of bills. The amendment provides that upon filing a written petition for the consideration of a bill or joint resolution signed by a majority of all the members elected to that house, the bill or joint resolution shall be called up for debate within 15 legislative days, all amendments disposed of and the bill or joint resolution considered for final passage within 15 legislative days once called up for debate, and any motions to reconsider following passage shall be disposed of and the bill or joint resolution messaged to the other house within five legislative days after passage.
   The resolution, if adopted, would be referred to the next general assembly for adoption before being submitted to the electorate for ratification.