Bill Text: SC H3853 | 2021-2022 | 124th General Assembly | Introduced
Bill Title: Constitution - Special Sessions
Spectrum: Partisan Bill (Republican 3-0)
Status: (Introduced - Dead) 2021-02-09 - Referred to Committee on Judiciary [H3853 Detail]
Download: South_Carolina-2021-H3853-Introduced.html
A JOINT RESOLUTION
PROPOSING AN AMENDMENT TO SECTION 9, ARTICLE III OF THE CONSTITUTION OF SOUTH CAROLINA, 1895, RELATING TO SESSIONS OF THE GENERAL ASSEMBLY, SO AS TO REQUIRE THE PRESIDENT OF THE SENATE AND THE SPEAKER OF THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES TO CONVENE THE GENERAL ASSEMBLY IN SPECIAL SESSION UPON RECEIPT OF A JOINT WRITTEN REQUEST SIGNED BY AT LEAST SIXTY PERCENT OF THE MEMBERSHIP OF EACH BODY, WHICH SESSION SHALL COMMENCE NO LATER THAN FIFTEEN DAYS AFTER THE REQUISITE REQUEST IS RECEIVED BY THE PRESIDENT OF THE SENATE AND THE SPEAKER OF THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES.
Be it enacted by the General Assembly of the State of South Carolina:
SECTION 1. It is proposed that Section 9, Article III of the Constitution of this State be amended by adding a new paragraph at the end to read:
"The General Assembly, while remaining a part-time, citizen legislature, must be convened in special session by the President of the Senate and the Speaker of the House of Representatives upon receipt of a joint written request signed by at least sixty percent of the membership of each body, which session shall commence no later than fifteen days after the requisite request is received by the President of the Senate and the Speaker of the House of Representatives."
SECTION 2. The proposed amendment must be submitted to the qualified electors at the next general election for representatives. Ballots must be provided at the various voting precincts with the following words printed or written on the ballot:
"Must Section 9, Article III of the Constitution of this State, relating to sessions of the General Assembly, be amended so as to require the President of the Senate and the Speaker of the House of Representatives to convene the General Assembly in special session upon receipt of a joint written request signed by at least sixty percent of the membership of each body, which session shall commence no later than fifteen days after the requisite request is received by the President of the Senate and the Speaker of the House of Representatives?
Those voting in favor of the question shall deposit a ballot with a check or cross mark in the square after the word 'Yes', and those voting against the question shall deposit a ballot with a check or cross mark in the square after the word 'No'."
