Missouri House Advances Initiative Petition Reform Resolution

The Missouri House passed an initiative petition measure that would ask voters to approve a law making it harder for citizens to amend the state constitution.

House Joint Resolution 43 requires constitutional amendments on the ballot in the future to receive 60% of votes in favor to pass. Under current law, the requirement is only a simple majority.

The measure will now be sent to the Senate. If approved, the resolution would go before voters on the November 2024 ballot and would need a simple majority to pass.

Missouri House Speaker Dean Plocher spoke about the reasoning for the 60% threshold instead of obtain more signatures through the process.

He feels the language of the bill would survive a court challenge.

Senate Minority Leader Crystal Quade commented on the vote which passed on a party line.

In recent years, Missourians have approved constitutional amendments to legalize medical and recreational marijuana,  set restrictions on lobbyist gifts,  attempt to change the redistricting process, and expand the state’s Medicaid program.

The House passed the resolution by a vote of 108-50.