Malcolm Rivera
The Kansas Constitution Amendment Bill is a process by which the Kansas Constitution can be altered. The Kansas Constitution is the fundamental document that outlines the state's framework for governance, including the powers, structure, and limitations of the state government, individual and civil rights, and other matters. The current Kansas Constitution has been amended 95 times, with the most recent amendment, Amendment 2, being approved by voters on November 8, 2022. The Kansas Constitution can be amended in two ways: through a legislatively referred constitutional amendment or by a constitutional convention. This article will explore the process of amending the Kansas Constitution, the requirements for proposing and ratifying amendments, and the role of the legislature and voters in this process.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Number of amendments | 95 |
| Last amendment approved | November 8, 2022 (Amendment 2) |
| Amendment methods | Legislatively referred constitutional amendment, constitutional convention |
| Legislatively referred constitutional amendment requirements | Two-thirds majority in each chamber of the Kansas State Legislature |
| Constitutional convention requirements | Two-thirds majority in each chamber of the state legislature, simple majority of voters |
| Constitutional convention question | "Shall there be a convention to amend or revise the constitution of the state of Kansas?" or "Shall there be a convention limited to revision of article(s) ________ of the constitution of the state of Kansas?" |
| Maximum amendments per election | 5 |
| Journal requirements | Affirmative and negative votes on final passage of bills and resolutions for amendment or ratification of amendments |
| Bill passage requirements | Majority of members in each house |
| Ratification of amendments to the US Constitution | Two-thirds majority in each chamber |
| Bill approval | Signed by presiding officers and presented to governor within 10 days |
| Enacting clause of bills | "Be it enacted by the Legislature of the State of Kansas:" |
| Bill subjects | One subject per bill, except appropriation bills and bills for revision or codification of statutes |
| Law revival or amendment requirements | New act must contain the entire act revived or the amended sections, which will be repealed |
| Law uniform operation | Throughout the state, with urban areas designated by the legislature |
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What You'll Learn
- The Kansas Constitution can be altered via a legislatively referred constitutional amendment
- Amendments can also be made through a constitutional convention
- Bills must contain only one subject, except appropriation, revision or codification bills
- The constitution has been amended 95 times
- The Kansas Constitution was originally known as the Wyandotte Constitution
The Kansas Constitution can be altered via a legislatively referred constitutional amendment
The Kansas Constitution, also known as the "Wyandotte Constitution", was adopted by a vote of 10,421 to 5,530 on October 4, 1859, and Kansas became the 34th state on January 29, 1861. The current Kansas Constitution has been amended 95 times, most recently on November 8, 2022, when voters approved Amendment 2.
The Kansas Constitution can only be amended via a legislatively referred constitutional amendment or by a constitutional convention. The former method involves either house of the Kansas State Legislature proposing an amendment to the state's constitution. Two-thirds of the members of each chamber must approve the resolution. If they do, the proposed amendment goes on either the next statewide ballot during which members of the state legislature are elected, or on a special election ballot if the legislature agrees to a special election.
The other method of amending the Kansas Constitution is through a constitutional convention. If two-thirds of the members of each house of the state legislature vote in favor, the question "Shall there be a convention to amend or revise the constitution of the state of Kansas?" or "Should there be a convention limited to revising article(s) ________ of the constitution of the state of Kansas?" is placed on a statewide ballot. If a simple majority of those voting on that question say "yes," a convention is held. Any amendments or revisions that come out of the convention must go before the state's voters for ratification.
The Kansas Constitution's Article 14, "Constitutional Amendment and Revision," outlines these two paths by which the constitution can be altered.
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Amendments can also be made through a constitutional convention
The Kansas Constitution, also known as the "Wyandotte Constitution," was adopted by a vote of 10,421 to 5,530 on October 4, 1859, and has been amended 95 times since. Amendments to the Kansas Constitution can be made through a legislatively referred constitutional amendment or by a constitutional convention.
To amend the state constitution through a constitutional convention, two-thirds of the members of each house of the state legislature must vote in favor of placing the question of a convention on a statewide ballot. This question can be either "Shall there be a convention to amend or revise the constitution of the state of Kansas?" or "Shall there be a convention limited to revision of article(s) ________ of the constitution of the state of Kansas?". If a simple majority of those voting on that question say "yes," a convention is held.
The convention has the power to choose its officers, appoint and remove its employees, fix their compensation, determine its rules, and judge the qualifications of its members. Each delegate to the convention must have the same qualifications as those provided by the constitution for members of the legislature, and members of the legislature and candidates for legislative membership are eligible for election as delegates. The convention must also carry out its business in an orderly manner.
Any proposed amendments or revisions that come out of the convention must be available to the delegates in final form at least three days before the convention's final passage and must receive the assent of a majority of the delegates. The yeas and nays upon final passage of any proposal must be entered in the journal of the convention. The proposed amendments or revisions are then submitted to the electors for ratification.
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Bills must contain only one subject, except appropriation, revision or codification bills
The Kansas Constitution, also known as the "Wyandotte Constitution," was adopted by a vote of 10,421 to 5,530 on October 4, 1859, and has been amended 95 times since. The most recent amendment, Amendment 2, was approved by voters on November 8, 2022.
Article 2, Section 16 of the Kansas Constitution, which was adopted by convention on July 29, 1859, and ratified by electors on October 4, 1859, states that "no bill shall contain more than one subject, except appropriation bills and bills for revision or codification of statutes." This principle, known as the "single-subject rule," is designed to promote transparency and accountability in the legislative process.
By requiring each bill to focus on a single subject, legislators and the public can more easily understand and evaluate the purpose and potential impact of the proposed legislation. It also helps to prevent the passage of bills that may include hidden or unrelated provisions that could be detrimental or controversial. The single-subject rule ensures that each bill is considered on its own merits and prevents the practice of "logrolling," where multiple provisions are combined into a single bill to gain support for provisions that may not have enough support on their own.
However, there are exceptions to this rule. Appropriation bills, which involve the allocation of funds, are often comprehensive and cover a wide range of subjects due to the diverse funding needs of the state. Bills for revision or codification of statutes may also contain multiple subjects, as they often involve updating or reorganizing various aspects of existing laws.
In conclusion, the Kansas Constitution's single-subject rule for bills helps to ensure a transparent and accountable legislative process. While most bills must adhere to this rule, exceptions are made for appropriation bills and bills for revision or codification, which can involve multiple subjects due to the complex nature of these undertakings.
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![Constitution of the state of Kansas with amendments. 1977 [Leather Bound]](https://m.media-amazon.com/images/I/61IX47b4r9L._AC_UY218_.jpg)
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The constitution has been amended 95 times
The Kansas Constitution, also known as the "Wyandotte Constitution", was adopted by voters on October 4, 1859. The current state constitution has a Preamble, a Bill of Rights, and 15 articles. Notably, the Kansas Constitution has been amended 95 times since its inception, with the most recent amendment (Amendment 2) being approved by voters on November 8, 2022.
Amending the Kansas Constitution is a meticulous process governed by Article 14, which outlines the two exclusive paths for alteration: legislatively referred constitutional amendment and constitutional convention. Firstly, the legislatively referred constitutional amendment requires either house of the Kansas State Legislature to propose a change. For the proposal to advance, it must garner approval from two-thirds of the members in each chamber. Subsequently, the proposed amendment is placed on the next statewide ballot, coinciding with the election of state legislature members, or on a special election ballot if specifically agreed upon by the legislature.
The alternative path to amending the constitution is through a constitutional convention. This process is initiated when two-thirds of the members in each house of the state legislature vote affirmatively to place a question regarding the convention on a statewide ballot. If a simple majority of voters answer affirmatively to this question, a convention is convened. Any amendments or revisions arising from the convention are then presented to the state's voters for their final approval.
It is worth noting that Kansas does not facilitate a process for initiated constitutional amendments. This means that amendments cannot be directly proposed or enacted by citizens through initiatives or referendums. Instead, the two aforementioned paths are the exclusive methods for amending the Kansas Constitution, both of which involve the state legislature and voter approval.
The high number of amendments, 95 times, underscores the dynamic nature of constitutional governance in Kansas. It reflects the state's commitment to adapting and refining its foundational document to meet the evolving needs and circumstances of its citizens. Each amendment represents a significant milestone in the state's history, ensuring that the constitution remains relevant and responsive to the aspirations and challenges of the times.
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The Kansas Constitution was originally known as the Wyandotte Constitution
The Kansas Constitution, originally known as the Wyandotte Constitution, was adopted by a vote of 10,421 to 5,530 on October 4, 1859. The Wyandotte Constitution was the fourth and final proposed Kansas constitution, following the failed attempts of the Topeka, Lecompton, and Leavenworth conventions to create a state constitution that would pass Congress and be signed as a bill by the president. The convention drafting the Wyandotte Constitution was held between July 5, 1859, and July 29, 1859, in the former community of Wyandotte, now part of Kansas City, Kansas, in Wyandotte County.
The Kansas Territory was created in 1854, and the largest issue at the time was whether slavery should be permitted or prohibited. This led to a situation where Kansas had two governments, in two different cities (Lecompton and Lawrence), each with its own constitution and claiming to be the only legitimate government of the entire territory. The Wyandotte Constitution was unique in that it explicitly prohibited slavery, granted a homestead exemption to protect settlers from bankruptcy, and offered limited suffrage to women.
The delegates at the Wyandotte Convention considered issues such as women's rights and the exclusion of African Americans from Kansas. As a result of the efforts of social activist and abolitionist newspaper editor Clarina Nichols, women gained the right to own property and participate in school district elections. The constitution also assured that the state would provide for women's equal rights "in the possession of their children."
The Wyandotte Constitution was approved in a referendum on October 4, 1859, and Kansas was admitted to the Union as a free state on January 29, 1861, marking the end of five years of bitter conflict over slavery in the Kansas Territory. The constitution has been amended many times since its adoption but remains the constitution of Kansas today.
The Kansas Constitution can be amended through a legislatively referred constitutional amendment or a constitutional convention. Any proposed amendment must be approved by two-thirds of the members of each chamber of the Kansas State Legislature before being placed on a statewide ballot. Amendments can also be proposed through a constitutional convention, which requires a simple majority vote in favour of holding the convention. Any amendments or revisions that come out of the convention must then be approved by the state's voters.
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Frequently asked questions
The Kansas Constitution Amendment Bill outlines the two paths by which the Kansas Constitution can be altered.
The first path is a legislatively referred constitutional amendment. Either house of the Kansas State Legislature can propose an amendment to the state's constitution. Two-thirds of the members of each chamber must approve the resolution. The second path is through a constitutional convention. If two-thirds of the members of each house of the state legislature vote in favor, a statewide ballot will be held. If a simple majority of those voting on that ballot say "yes," a convention is held.
Any amendments or revisions that come out of the convention must be ratified by the state's voters.
