HCR 3: Prepare arguments for and against constitutional amendments
The bill allows the president of the Senate and the Speaker of the House of Representatives to designate groups of members to prepare arguments for and against proposed amendments to the state constitution and laws submitted to the electors by referendum or initiative petitions. The designated groups or individuals must prepare their arguments, explanations, or both, and submit them to the secretary of state at least 80 days before the election in which the issue will be submitted to the electors. This process aims to provide a fair and balanced representation of the opinions on the proposed amendments and laws.
| Jan. 29, 2025 | Adopted |
| Jan. 22, 2025 | Adopted |
A CONCURRENT RESOLUTION
To delegate to the President of the Senate and the Speaker of the House of Representatives authority to designate groups of members to prepare arguments for and against amendments to the Ohio Constitution proposed by the General Assembly; a person or persons to prepare an argument for any law, section, or item submitted to the electors by referendum petition; and a person or persons to prepare an argument against any constitutional amendment or law proposed by initiative petition.
Be it resolved by the House of Representatives of the State of Ohio (the Senate concurring):
WHEREAS, When the General Assembly adopts a joint resolution proposing an amendment to the Ohio Constitution under Ohio Constitution, Article XVI, Section 1, it may designate, under section 3505.063 of the Revised Code, a group of members who voted in support of the joint resolution to prepare arguments for the proposed amendment and, unless no members voted in opposition, a group of members who voted in opposition to the joint resolution to prepare arguments against the proposed amendment; and
WHEREAS, The General Assembly, if in session, is required under Ohio Constitution, Article II, Section 1g and section 3519.03 of the Revised Code to name the person or persons who will prepare the argument, explanation, or both, for any law, section, or item submitted to the electors by referendum petition, or against any proposed constitutional amendment or law submitted by initiative petition; now therefore be it
RESOLVED, That the President of the Senate and the Speaker of the House of Representatives, on behalf of and during the 136th General Assembly, may designate a group of members who voted in support of a joint resolution proposing an amendment to the Ohio Constitution to prepare arguments for the proposed amendment and, unless no members voted in opposition, a group of members who voted in opposition to the joint resolution to prepare arguments against the proposed amendment; and be it further
RESOLVED, That the President of the Senate and the Speaker of the House of Representatives, on behalf of and during the 136th General Assembly, may designate the person or persons who will prepare the argument, explanation, or both, for any law, section, or item submitted to the electors by referendum petition; and be it further
RESOLVED, That the President of the Senate and the Speaker of the House of Representatives, on behalf of and during the 136th General Assembly, may designate the person or persons who will prepare the argument against any constitutional amendment or law proposed by initiative petition; and be it further
RESOLVED, That the President of the Senate and the Speaker of the House of
Representatives make their designations so as to leave the designated group or groups of members, person, or persons with sufficient time to prepare and file their arguments, explanations, or both, as applicable, with the Secretary of State not later than the eightieth day before the day of the election at which the issue will be submitted to the electors.
Speaker of the House of Representatives.
President of the Senate.
Adopted 20