STATE OF OKLAHOMA

1st Session of the 53rd Legislature (2011)

HOUSE JOINT
RESOLUTION 1004	By:	Key

AS INTRODUCED

A Joint Resolution directing the Secretary of State to refer to the people for their approval or rejection a proposed amendment to the Constitution of the State of Oklahoma by adding a new Section 35A to Article V; modifying the legislative process to require certain consideration of bills and joint resolutions; providing ballot title; and directing filing.

BE IT RESOLVED BY THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES AND THE SENATE OF THE 1ST SESSION OF THE 53RD OKLAHOMA LEGISLATURE:
SECTION 1.  The Secretary of State shall refer to the people for their approval or rejection, as and in the manner provided by law, the following proposed amendment to the Constitution of the State of Oklahoma by adding a new Section 35A to Article V thereof, to read as follows:
Section 35A.  A.  After assignment to a standing or special committee, the principal author of a bill or resolution introduced on or prior to the filing deadline of a First Regular Session of the Legislature and the principal author of a bill or resolution introduced after the filing deadline of a First Regular Session of the Legislature and on or prior to the filing deadline of the Second Regular Session of that same Legislature shall be entitled to have such bill or joint resolution considered at least four (4) legislative days prior to the final date for Third Reading in the First Regular Session or for Third Reading in the Second Regular Session respectively or prior to any date designated as a deadline for reporting bills and joint resolutions from committee if the principal author submits a request to the Chair of the committee.
B.  If a bill or joint resolution is reported from committee in either the House of Representatives or the Senate, the bill or joint resolution shall be heard on the floor of the respective house of the Legislature prior to any date designated as a deadline for third reading and final passage if the principal author from that house of the Legislature makes a written request for such consideration to the Speaker of the House if the bill or joint resolution is on General Order in the House of Representatives or to the President Pro Tempore of the Senate if the bill or joint resolution is on General Order in the Senate.
SECTION 2.  The Ballot Title for the proposed Constitutional Amendment as set forth in SECTION 1 of this act shall be in the following form:
BALLOT TITLE
Legislative Referendum No. ____	State Question No. ____
THE GIST OF THE PROPOSITION IS AS FOLLOWS:
This measure is about the process of hearing bills in the state Legislature.  It would require hearings in committee for bills and certain other measures if requested by the authors.  If such a bill or measure passes out of a Senate or House committee, the author could ask that the bill be heard by the entire chamber.  If an author did this, it would have to be heard on the floor of that chamber.
SHALL THE PROPOSAL BE APPROVED?
FOR THE PROPOSAL — YES	_____________
AGAINST THE PROPOSAL — NO 	_____________
SECTION 3.  The Chief Clerk of the House of Representatives, immediately after the passage of this act, shall prepare and file one copy thereof, including the Ballot Title set forth in SECTION 2 hereof, with the Secretary of State and one copy with the Attorney General.

53-1-6189	SD	01/16/11