STATE OF OKLAHOMA

1st Session of the 54th Legislature (2013)

HOUSE JOINT
RESOLUTION 1024	By:	Jackson

AS INTRODUCED

An Act directing the Secretary of State to refer to the people for their approval or rejection a proposed amendment to Section 26 of Article V of the Constitution of the State of Oklahoma; modifying the date for the first day of the first year of a legislative session; modifying purposes for meeting on the first day of the first year of a legislative session; providing ballot title; and directing filing.

BE IT RESOLVED BY THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES AND THE SENATE OF THE 1ST SESSION OF THE 54TH 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 Section 26 of Article V of the Constitution of the State of Oklahoma to read as follows:
Section 26.  The Legislature shall meet in regular session at the seat of government at twelve o'clock noon on the first Monday in February of each year and the regular session shall be finally adjourned sine die not later than five o'clock p.m. on the last Friday in May of each year.
The Legislature shall also meet in regular session at the seat of government on the First Tuesday after the First Monday in January fifteenth day following the General Election of each odd even-numbered year, beginning at twelve o'clock noon for the purposes only of taking the oath of office, performing the duties as required by Section 5 of Article VI of the Constitution and organizing pursuant to the provisions of this Article and shall recess not later than five o'clock p.m. of that same day until the following first Monday in February of the same next year, beginning at twelve o'clock noon.
SECTION 2.  The Ballot Title for the proposed Constitutional amendment as set forth in SECTION 1 of this resolution shall be in the following form:
BALLOT TITLE
Legislative Referendum No. ____	State Question No. ____
THE GIST OF THE PROPOSITION IS AS FOLLOWS:
This measure amends the Oklahoma Constitution.  It changes when the Legislature meets after the elections to organize.  Currently, the Legislature meets in November to be sworn into office.  Then, they meet in January to organize.  This measure would have them meet only once for both organizing and being sworn in.
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 resolution, 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.

54-1-5506	SD	01/10/13