RELATING TO ADVISORY REFERENDUMS.

2025 Regular Session Introduced by Stanley Chang

SB 1031 allows voters to participate in advisory referendums, enabling them to express opinions on key issues, influencing legislative decisions and enhancing democracy.

Carried over to 2026 Regular Session.

#advisoryreferendums #ballots #elections #generalobligationbonds #legislature #questions

Purpose and Intent

Senate Bill 1031 (SB 1031) aims to establish a framework for conducting advisory referendums in the state. The intent of the bill is to provide a mechanism for the electorate to express their opinions on specific issues, which can inform legislative decisions and enhance public participation in the democratic process.

Key Provisions

Advisory Referendums: The bill outlines the procedures for initiating and conducting advisory referendums, which are non-binding votes that gauge public sentiment on particular legislative matters.

Ballot Questions: It specifies how questions will be formulated and presented on the ballot, ensuring clarity and transparency for voters.

General Obligation Bonds: The bill may include provisions related to the issuance of general obligation bonds, allowing voters to express their views on funding initiatives through referendums.

Legislative Oversight: The bill establishes the role of the legislature in overseeing the advisory referendum process, ensuring that the results are considered in future legislative actions.

Affected Parties

Voters: The primary stakeholders are the voters, who will have the opportunity to participate in advisory referendums and express their opinions on key issues.

Legislators: Members of the legislature will be impacted as they will need to consider the outcomes of these referendums when making decisions on related legislation.

State Agencies: Various state agencies may be involved in the administration and execution of the referendums, including the election office.

Procedural Timeline

Introduced: January 17, 2025

First Reading: January 21, 2025

Public Hearing: Scheduled for February 4, 2025

Committee Actions:

The Government Operations (GVO) committee recommended the bill be passed with amendments on February 11, 2025.
The bill was reported from GVO on February 13, 2025, with a recommendation for passage on Second Reading, as amended (SD 1), and referral to the Judiciary Committee (JDC).

Conclusion

SB 1031 represents a significant step towards enhancing democratic engagement by allowing voters to weigh in on legislative matters through advisory referendums. The bill's progress through the legislative process indicates a growing interest in incorporating public opinion into decision-making, potentially leading to more informed and representative governance.

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