Voters would decide rules for executive power and bill notice

The proposed amendment would bar laws that materially impair the Governor's authority to direct state agencies in carrying out state laws. The Governor's authority would cover supervision, direction, and control of state departments and agencies, including appointment and removal powers over entities tied to carrying out the laws. Voters would have to approve the amendment for it to take effect. Transfers of powers among Council of State members would have to fit the office receiving them and be ratified at least 90 days before the next election; they would take effect no earlier than the next term, unless two-thirds of each house approves otherwise. Voters would decide at the November 3, 2026, statewide election. If a majority approves, the amendment would take effect upon certification; otherwise it would have no effect.

The proposed amendment would require each act to cover one subject clearly stated in its title. The rule would apply to acts passed by the General Assembly, with the stated exceptions. General spending acts, revenue acts, and acts containing only technical corrections would be exempt. An act would be void as to any subject not expressed in its title. Voters would decide at the November 3, 2026, statewide election. If a majority approves, the amendment would take effect upon certification; otherwise it would have no effect.

The proposed amendment would bar lawmakers from changing a bill after its first reading to materially change its original purpose, as reflected in its title. This rule would apply to bills considered by the General Assembly and to subjects added in conference reports. A conference report could address disputes between the two houses; any other subject added in that report would make the act void as to that subject. Voters would decide at the November 3, 2026, statewide election. If a majority approves, the amendment would take effect upon certification; otherwise it would have no effect.

The proposed amendment would require advance notice of a bill's final reading and public access to the bill text before that reading. The requirements would apply before a house's final reading of a bill required for passage. The exception applies only to a bill responding to a declared state of emergency when two-thirds of all members of the house approve the reading. The notice periods would have to be met before the final reading required for passage. Voters would decide at the November 3, 2026, statewide election; if a majority approves, the amendment would take effect upon certification.