Constitutional amendment; requiring certain vote of people to change compensation of members of the Legislature.
Impact
If enacted, SJR45 could significantly alter how compensation for lawmakers is determined in Oklahoma. By shifting the power to change compensation from the legislature to the electorate, this bill would promote greater public engagement in legislative matters while potentially limiting the legislature's ability to manage its own compensation structures. Regular reviews every two years are queued for the Board on Legislative Compensation, reinforcing the commitment to transparency in legislative pay.
Summary
SJR45 is a joint resolution proposing an amendment to Section 21 of Article V of the Oklahoma Constitution concerning the compensation of members of the Legislature. It mandates that any changes to legislators' compensation must be approved by a vote of the people, thus requiring a majority decision at a statewide ballot. This aims to enhance transparency and accountability regarding legislative compensation, ensuring that any adjustments reflect the public's approval rather than being decided solely by legislators themselves.
Contention
Notably, the bill may face contention regarding the practicality of requiring voters to make decisions on legislative salaries. Critics might argue that this could lead to populism influencing necessary compensations suited for the roles of legislators. Proponents, however, would assert that such a measure not only democratizes decision-making but also ensures that lawmakers remain accountable to their constituents, reflecting the public's needs and sentiments towards their compensation.
A resolution to direct the Clerk of the House of Representatives to only present to the Governor enrolled House bills finally passed by both houses of the One Hundred Third Legislature.
Relating to nonsubstantive additions to, revisions of, and corrections in enacted codes, to the nonsubstantive codification or disposition of various laws omitted from enacted codes, and to conforming codifications enacted by the 88th Legislature to other Acts of that legislature.