H 3874 Joint Resolution, By H.H. Clyborne, Allison, B.O. Baker, J.M. Baxley, 
Cato, C.D. Chamblee, Cooper, Fair, R.C. Fulmer, Gamble, S.E. Gonzales, 
L.O. Graham, Harrell, J.L. Harris, P.B. Harris, Harrison, T.E. Huff, 
H.G. Hutson, Keegan, W.D. Keyserling, Klauber, C.V. Marchbanks, Meacham, Quinn, 
I.K. Rudnick, Sharpe, Simrill, D. Smith, Stuart, P.H. Thomas, Vaughn, 
C.Y. Waites, C.C. Wells and Young-Brickell
 A Joint Resolution proposing an amendment to the Constitution of South
 Carolina, 1895, by adding Section 15 in Article XVII so as to permit the
 enactment of laws and Constitutional amendments by initiative petition upon
 ratification by the General Assembly, to provide petition requirements, and to
 authorize the General Assembly to enact additional initiative petition
 requirements consistent with the requirements of this Section, including
 requirements limiting the subject matter of initiative petitions.

   04/07/93  House  Introduced and read first time HJ-12
   04/07/93  House  Referred to Committee on Judiciary HJ-12

A JOINT RESOLUTION

PROPOSING AN AMENDMENT TO THE CONSTITUTION OF SOUTH CAROLINA, 1895, BY ADDING SECTION 15 IN ARTICLE XVII SO AS TO PERMIT THE ENACTMENT OF LAWS AND CONSTITUTIONAL AMENDMENTS BY INITIATIVE PETITION UPON RATIFICATION BY THE GENERAL ASSEMBLY, TO PROVIDE PETITION REQUIREMENTS, AND TO AUTHORIZE THE GENERAL ASSEMBLY TO ENACT ADDITIONAL INITIATIVE PETITION REQUIREMENTS CONSISTENT WITH THE REQUIREMENTS OF THIS SECTION, INCLUDING REQUIREMENTS LIMITING THE SUBJECT MATTER OF INITIATIVE PETITIONS.

Be it enacted by the General Assembly of the State of South Carolina:

SECTION 1. It is proposed that Article XVII of the Constitution of this State be amended by adding:

"Section 15. In addition to the provisions of Articles III and XVI of this Constitution, relating to the enactment of laws and constitutional amendments, there is reserved in the people the power to enact laws and constitutional amendments by means of initiative petition. An initiative petition must contain a full and correct copy of the title and text of the proposed law or amendment and must contain a number of signatures of qualified electors equal to at least eight percent of the total of votes for Governor cast in the last gubernatorial election. If a majority of the qualified electors voting on the proposed law or constitutional amendment vote in favor, it is a law of this State or a part of this Constitution upon ratification by the General Assembly.

The General Assembly may by law provide additional requirements for an initiative petition consistent with the provisions of this section, including limiting the subject matter of the laws and constitutional amendments which may be so enacted."

SECTION 2. The proposed amendment must be submitted to the qualified electors at the next general election for representatives. Ballots must be provided at the various voting precincts with the following words printed or written on the ballot:

"Shall Article XVII of the Constitution of this State be amended by adding a new section so as to provide for the enactment of a law or constitutional amendment initiated by a petition containing signatures of qualified electors equal to at least eight percent of the total vote for Governor cast in the last gubernatorial election followed by a majority vote in favor of the proposed law or constitutional amendment in a referedum and ratification by the General Assembly and to provide that the General Assembly may by law prescribe additional requirements for an initiative petititon if the added requirements are consistent with this section, including limiting the subject matter of the laws and constitutional amendments which may be so enacted?

Those voting in favor of the question shall deposit a ballot with a check or cross mark in the square after the word `Yes', and those voting against the question shall deposit a ballot with a check or cross mark in the square after the word `No'."