01/26/1993 08:00 AM House STA

  HJR 7:  USE OF INITIATIVE TO AMEND CONSTITUTION                              
                                                                               
  CHAIRMAN AL VEZEY read the title of HJR 7, and invited the                   
  sponsor, Representative Joe Sitton, to testify.                              
                                                                               
  Number 011                                                                   
                                                                               
  REPRESENTATIVE JOE SITTON, PRIME SPONSOR of HJR 7, compared                  
  HJR 7 to HJR 1 and HJR 8.                                                    
                                                                               
  Number 094                                                                   
                                                                               
  CHAIRMAN VEZEY summarized HJR 1 and HJR 8 from prior                         
  committee meetings with regard to majority vote and super                    
  majority.                                                                    
                                                                               
  Number 105                                                                   
                                                                               
  REPRESENTATIVE BETTYE DAVIS requested a subcommittee be                      
  appointed to discuss amendment of the constitution and all                   
  the bills related to this topic.                                             
                                                                               
  Number 108                                                                   
                                                                               
  CHAIRMAN VEZEY stated the differences in the bills were                      
  minor and a subcommittee would not be necessary.                             
                                                                               
  Number 130                                                                   
                                                                               
  REPRESENTATIVE JERRY SANDERS asked about the difference each                 
  bill had with regard to the numbers of voters.                               
                                                                               
  Number 138                                                                   
                                                                               
  REPRESENTATIVE SITTON stated the requirements were tighter                   
  in HJR 7.  A simple majority was too easy and two thirds was                 
  too much.  The 60% in HJR 7 was a middle ground, he                          
  believed.                                                                    
                                                                               
  Number 159                                                                   
                                                                               
  REPRESENTATIVE HARLEY OLBERG discussed a committee                           
  substitute.                                                                  
                                                                               
  Number 169                                                                   
                                                                               
  CHAIRMAN VEZEY stated a committee substitute might be                        
  considered, but was not necessary.                                           
                                                                               
  Number 180                                                                   
                                                                               
  REPRESENTATIVE FRAN ULMER stated any changes by the                          
  committee would be in the form of a committee substitute.                    
                                                                               
  Number 185                                                                   
                                                                               
  CHAIRMAN VEZEY stated amendments may be attached.                            
                                                                               
  Number 192                                                                   
                                                                               
  REPRESENTATIVE SITTON discussed the handouts given to the                    
  committee.  He also thanked the committee for hearing HJR 7,                 
  which was then held in committee for further consideration.