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HJR 116

Proposes a constitutional amendment that requires the full text of initiative petitions to appear on the ballot and limits initiative petitions to seventy-five words, including existing language

2026 Regular Session Introduced by Scott Miller

Requires full text of initiative petitions to appear on the ballot and limits petitions to 75 words.

Referred: Emerging Issues(H)
#constitutionalamendments #elections
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Bill Summary · HJR 116

Bill Overview

  • Bill: HJR 116
  • Session: 2026
  • Jurisdiction: Missouri
  • Title: Proposes a constitutional amendment that requires the full text of initiative petitions to appear on the ballot and limits initiative petitions to seventy-five words, including existing language
  • Primary sponsor: Co-sponsor Scott Miller
  • Status: Referred to Emerging Issues (H) on 2026-05-15; previously read and prefiled on earlier dates

Purpose and Intent

  • The measure seeks to amend the Missouri Constitution.
  • Its central aim is twofold: 1) Ensure that the full text of initiative petitions is displayed on the ballot. 2) Limit the content of initiative petitions to 75 words, counting any existing language.

Key Provisions

  • Ballot Requirement: If enacted, voters would see the complete text of any initiative petition on the ballot itself, rather than only a summary or title.
  • Word Limit: Initiative petitions would be constrained to a maximum of 75 words, including any language that is already part of the petition.
  • Constitutional Change: As a joint resolution (HJR), the proposal would need to be approved by both chambers and then likely placed on the ballot for a voter referendum to amend the Missouri Constitution.

Affected Parties and Impacts

  • Voters: Would have access to the full text of initiative petitions directly on the ballot, potentially increasing information available at the point of vote.
  • Circulators and Petition Initiatives: Petition authors and organizers would need to condense language to fit the 75-word limit, potentially affecting the scope and nuance of proposed measures.
  • Election Officials: Ballot preparation and formatting processes would need to accommodate displaying full petition text and verifying word-count compliance.
  • Legal/Policy Stakeholders: Constitutional change would interact with existing Missouri statutes governing ballot measures, petition validity, and initiative processes; may raise questions about readability, accessibility, and legal challenges related to text length and display requirements.

Procedural and Timeline Considerations

  • First Reading: January 7, 2026
  • Second Reading: January 8, 2026
  • Referred to Committee: Emerging Issues (H) on May 15, 2026
  • Prefiled: December 1, 2025
  • As a constitutional amendment, passage would require approval by both chambers and likely a statewide voter referendum to amend the Missouri Constitution. If advanced, the measure would follow the constitutional amendment process, including potential sequencing for proposal, approval, and ballot placement.

Notes

  • The summary and word-count constraint may influence how sponsors frame proposals in initiatives.
  • The bill’s status indicates it is in the early-to-mid stages of consideration; timing for potential floor votes or passage is not provided in the current action history.

Compiled from official sources — confirm details with the bill’s official record.

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