Modifies provisions relating to constitutional amendments
Summary
SJR 6 is a proposed constitutional amendment to Missouri’s Article XII that would change how constitutional amendments are submitted and approved, and would add new restrictions on foreign involvement in the initiative process. It repeals and replaces sections 2(b) and 3(c), while also creating a new section 2(c) that prohibits foreign nationals and certain foreign-connected sources from sponsoring initiative petitions, contributing to campaigns on proposed constitutional amendments, making election-related expenditures, or funding preliminary organizing activity.
The resolution also provides that if an initiative-petition amendment is knowingly supported in violation of the foreign-contribution ban by the proponent or an associated committee, the amendment would be void even if voters approved it. The measure defines “foreign national” broadly to include non-U.S. citizens, foreign governments, foreign political parties, foreign-based entities, and U.S.-organized entities that are majority owned by foreign nationals. It also defines “source connected to a foreign national” as an individual or entity that has knowingly or willfully accepted more than $10,000 from foreign nationals within the prior four years.
Impact
If approved by voters, SJR 6 would amend the Missouri Constitution rather than ordinary state statutes, directly altering the rules for constitutional amendment campaigns and ratification. It would impose new legal prohibitions on campaign finance and petition activity involving foreign nationals and foreign-connected sources, and it would create a constitutional basis for invalidating an initiative amendment if the sponsor knowingly violated those prohibitions. It would also preserve and restate the existing requirement that certain constitutional amendments receive both statewide approval and approval in a majority of House districts to take effect.
Sentiment
Based on the bill text and available context, the measure appears to be framed as a election-integrity and anti-foreign-influence proposal, with no recorded committee debate or vote history provided. The overall tone of the resolution is restrictive and protective, suggesting support for limiting outside influence in Missouri’s constitutional amendment process. Because there are no transcripts or votes, there is no documented opposition or support in the provided materials beyond the substance of the proposal itself.
Contention
The main points of contention likely concern the breadth and enforceability of the foreign-influence restrictions. Potential issues include how broadly “source connected to a foreign national” is defined, whether the $10,000 threshold and four-year lookback are workable, and whether voiding an approved amendment for a sponsor’s knowing violation is too severe a remedy. Another possible area of dispute is the impact on initiative-petition advocacy, political committees, and speech-related activities involving entities with foreign ties, even indirect ones.
Proposes temporary constitutional amendment allowing State constitutional convention convened to reform system of property taxation to propose statutory changes.
Proposes temporary constitutional amendment allowing State constitutional convention convened to reform system of property taxation to propose statutory changes.
(Constitutional Amendment) Provides for the election of constitutional convention delegates and vote requirements necessary for the adoption of a new constitution (RR SEE FISC NOTE GF EX)
(Constitutional Amendment) Modifies disposition of certain state revenues through repeal of the Revenue Stabilization Trust Fund and deposits of certain revenue streams into the Budget Stabilization Fund (RRF INCREASE GF RV See Note)
(Constitutional Amendment) Provides relative to the application of state monies to the unfunded accrued liability of the Teachers' Retirement System of La. (EN DECREASE SD RV See Note)
Proposing An Amendment To Article Xvii, Section 3 Of The Hawaii Constitution To Specify That The Standard For Voter Approval Of A Constitutional Amendment Proposed By The Legislature Is A Majority Of All The Votes Tallied Upon The Question.