MS HC39

Grants Mississippi voters the right to propose new laws and amend or repeal existing laws through citizen initiative, independent of the legislature.

Requires initiative petitions to be signed by qualified electors equal to at least 12% of votes cast in the last gubernatorial election over a 12-month period, with no more than one congressional district's share of total required signatures.

Prohibits initiatives from amending the state constitution, affecting the Public Employees' Retirement System, appropriating state funds, or addressing matters the legislature is constitutionally prohibited from enacting.

Requires initiatives to receive a majority of votes cast and at least 40% of total votes cast at the election to pass (60% majority for revenue bills); limits ballot to five initiatives, with the first five submitted qualifying.

Removes existing constitutional provisions allowing citizens to initiate constitutional amendments and establishes that constitutional amendments may only be proposed by two-thirds vote of each house of the legislature.