The river press. [volume] (Fort Benton, Mont.) 1880-current, 1906-08-22
Notice of Election, Constitutional
Amendment.
House Bill No. 126.

An Act entitled IAN Act for the submitting to
the qualified electors of the state of Montana, an
the state of Montana. relating to the legislative
Department and providing for Direct Legislation
and reference of Laws.
lie il enacted by the Legislative Assembly NJ
the State of Montana:
Section l. There shall be submitted TO the onal-
ihed electors OF the state of Montana, at tn. next
general election. the following amendment to
state Of Montana: l 'he
That Section l., Article V, of the Constitution
be-. and the same is hereby amended so as 10 read
as follows:
Section l.. The Legislative authority of the
state shall be vested in a Legislative assembly.
consisting OF Il Senate and House of Representa-.
tives: but the people reserve to themselves power
to propose laws, and to enact or reject the same at
the polls, except as to laws relating to the appro-
priations Of money, and except as TO laws for the
submission of constitutional amendments, and
except As to local or special laws, as enumerated
in Article Y. Section 81, of this Constitution. in.
dependent Of the Legislative Assembly: and also
reserve power, at their own option, TO approve or
reject al the polls. any Act Of the Legislative As
dlate preservation OF the pubic peace, health or
safety, and except Is to laws relating to the an.
nropsiations OF money, and except as to laws for
lle submission OF constitutional amendments.
and except a. to local or special laws. as en- mer.
ated in Article v, Section 2t, of this Constitution.
The first power reserved by the people is the hi
tlatlve, and eight per cent. of the legal voters OF
the state shall he required to propose any meas
IRE by petition: provided, that two-itths Of til.
Whole nuMoer OF the counties of the state must
each furnish as signer> of said petition eight per
cent. OF the legal voters in such county, and every
such petition shall include the full text of the
measure proposed. Initiative petitions shall be
nleO with the secretary of state not less thSn four
months before the election at which they are to he
voted upon.
The second power is the Referendum, and it
may oe ordered either by petition eigned 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 a. sirners of said ps-
L ttlOn 0Sn Npf cent. pf tho local CpfarS w s,irb
county, or. by the Legislative Assembly as other
Bills are enacted.
Secretary Of state not later than six months after
the final adjournment of the sessions Of the Leris-
!ative Assembly which passed the Bill on which
Referendum il demanded. The veto power Of the
Governor shall not extend to measures referred to
the people by the Legislative Assembly or by Ini-
tiative Referendum petitions.
All elections on measures referred to the ueOple
OF the state shall he had at the biennial regular
general election. except when the Legislative As.
semhiy, by . majority vote, shall orde: Il special
shall still be III full force and effect unless such
petition BE- signed by fifteen per cent. Of the legal
voters OF 4 majority Of the whole number Of the
counties OF the state. in which case the law shall
be imperative. until such time as it shall he passed
nnon. at an election, and the result has been de
termlne'l and declared as provided by law. The
whole number of votes cast for Governor at the
regular election last preceding the filing of any
petition for the Initiative or Referendum, shall
ne the basis on which the number of the legal pc
tltlOns ana 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 Nv the
General Laws and the Act submitting this amend
msnt, until legislation shall he especially pro
vlded therefor. The enacting clause of every law
originated by the Initiative shall be ~ follows:
"He it enacted by the People Of Montana:''
This Section shall not he construed "a deprive
any member of the Legislative Assembly of the
right TO Introduce any measure.
section: That separate official ballots he used
az Inc general. election to he held in November,
l!nd, and shall have printed thereon the words:
"ror the Amendment to the Constitution pro
v.idlng for Direct Legislation and Reference of
Laws, and the words, against the Amendment
TO the Constitution providing for Direct L.egisla-
ton and Reference Of Laws
II shall h. the duty of the Legislative Assembly
amendment into effrt.
Section 3. All Acts or parts of Acts in conflict
with this Act are hereby repealed.
Secteon !. This Act shall take effect and he in
fun force from and after its passage and approval
by the Governor.
Approved March ?, 1908,
UNITED STATES oF AMERICA.
state OF Montana. 50.
IL \. N. ioder, Secretary of Stat. of the State
OF Mont ana. do hereby certify that the above is a
true and correct copy of
IAN Act Entitled. can Act for the submitting
to the qualified electors of the State of Montana.
OF the state of Montana, relating TO the Legisla-
tive Department, and providing for Direct Legis-
lation and Reference Of Laws"
Enacted by the Ninth Legislative Assembly of
day Of March, \. ID 1908.
In Testimony Whereof, | have hereunto set my
hand and affixed the treat Seal of said State.
Done at the City of Helena. the Capital of said
state, this fourteenth day Of July. !: D; 1906.
Secretary of State.