The river press. [volume] (Fort Benton, Mont.) 1880-current, 1906-08-08
Notice of Election, Constitutional
Amendment,
House Bill No. $50.

An ACT entitled A Act for the submitting to
the qualified electors of the state of Montana, al,
amendment to Article Y. of the Constitution of
the state Of Montana, relating to the Legislative
Department and providing for Direct Legislation
and Reference Of Laws.
Be it enacted by the Legislative Assembly of
Section /. There shall be submitted to the quail.
ihed electors of the State of Montana, at the next
general election, the following amendment to
section ! Article v, of the Constitution of the
State of Montana:
That Section /, Article v, of the Constitution
be. and the same is hereby amended so as to read
Section |. The Legislative authority of the
state shall be vested in a Legislative Assembly,
consisting OF "a Senate and House of Represents.
tives: but the people reserve to Themselves power
to propose laws, and to enact or reject the same at
the polls, except Is to laws relating to the appro.
p%riations of money, and except as to laws for the
submission of constitutional amendments. and
except a. to local or special laws, as enumerated
IN Article y, SECTION %, of this Constitution, in
reserve power, at their own option. to approve or
reject at the polls, any Act Of the Legislative A.
sembly, except as to law. necessary for the imme-
diate preservation of the public peace, health or
safety, and except ~ to Jaws relating to the 90.
preparations of money, and except as to laws for
the submission Of constitutional amendments,
ated in Article V, Section Is, Of this Constitution.
The first power reserved by the people is the lni-
t%iative. and eight per cent. Of the legal voters of
the state shall be required to propose any meas
whols humber Of the counties Of the state must
each furnish as signers of said petition eight per
such petition shall include the full text of the
measure proposed. Initiative petitions shall be
filed with the Secretary of State not less thsn four
months before the election at which they are to be
voted upon.
The second power is the Referendum, and 1t
may be ordered either by petition signed by five
per cent. OF the legal voters of the state: provided
that two-tifths of the whole number of counties in
the state must each furnish as signers Of said Pc
tition five per cent. of the legal voters in such
county, or, by the Legislative Assembly as other
Bills are enacted.
Referendum petitions shall be filed with the
Secretary Of State not later than six months after
the inal adjournment Of the sessions Of the Legis-
!atlve Assembly which passed the Bill on which
Referendum is demanded; The veto power of the
Governor shall not extend to measures referred to
the people by the Legislative Assembly or BY Ini-
tistive Referendum petitions.
All elections on measures referred to the people
of the state shall be had at the biennial regular
general election, except when the Legislative As.
sembly, by . majority vote, shall order a special
election ANY measure referred to the people
petition be signed by fifteen per rent. Of the legal
voters of a majority of the whole number of the
counties OF the state, in which case the law shall
be imperative until such time a. it shall he passed
upon at an election, and the result has been de-
termined and declared as provided by law. The
whole number of votes cast for Governor at the
petition for the Initiative or Referendum, shall
he the basis on which the NUMBER of the legal pc
titions and orders for the initiative and for the
Referendum shall be filed with the Secretary of
state: and in submitting the same to the people.
he, and all other officers, shall he guided by the
General Laws and the Act submitting this amend
ment, until legislation shall he especially pro-
,ided therefor, The %enacting clause Of every law
originated by the Initiative shall be as follows:
..Re it enacted by the People of Montana
This Section shall not be construed to deprive
any member OF the Legislative Assembly Of the
right to introduce any measure.
Section ,. That separate official ballots be used
AT tn6 general election RI hh bAln IN Nova har
lM6, and shall have printed thereon the words:
FOR the Amendment to the Constitution pro
viding for Direct Legislation and Reference of
Laws and the words, against the Amendment
to the constitution providing for Direct Legisla-
ton and Reference Of Laws"
1t shall be the duty of the Legislative Assembly
to enact Legislation suitable for carrying thi.
amendment into efet.
Section }. All Acts or parts of Act, in conflict
with this Act are hereby repealed.
Secteon I. This Act shall take effect ard be in
full force from and after its passage and approval
by the Governor.
Approved March ,, 1905.
UNITED STATES OF AMERICA.
State OF Montana, ss.
IA. n. ioter, Secretary of state of til. State
OF Montana, do hereby certify that the abov. is a
trts and correct copy of
4 Act Entitled. A Act for the submitting
to the qualified electors of the State of Montana,
an amendment to Article Y. Of the CONSTITUTION
of the State OF Montana, relating to the Ieyisla-
tive Department, and providing for Direct Legis-
lation and Reference Of Laws
Enacted by the Ninth Legislative Assembly of
the State Of Montana, and approved on tho second
day OF March, A. D. 1905.
In Testimony Whereof, | have hereunto set my
hand and affixed the {; reat Seal Of said state.
DorA at the City Of Helena. the Capital If said
state ;hi- tourte-nth day of July, A.D, 1906.