LRB-0783/1
SRM:wlj:nwn
2007 - 2008 LEGISLATURE
January 9, 2007 - Introduced by Senators Erpenbach, Robson, Risser, Carpenter,
Miller and Lehman, cosponsored by Representatives Parisi, Young, Black,
Hebl, Turner, Berceau, Sheridan, Kessler, Pope-Roberts, Travis, Pocan and
Grigsby. Referred to Committee on Judiciary and Corrections.
SJR2,1,2
1To amend section 1 of article I of the constitution;
relating to: equal rights (first
2consideration).
Analysis by the Legislative Reference Bureau
Explanation of Proposal
Currently, the constitution states that "all people are born equally free and
independent, and have certain inherent rights; among these are life, liberty, and the
pursuit of happiness; to secure these rights, governments are instituted, deriving
their just powers from the consent of the governed." This constitutional amendment,
proposed to the 2007 legislature on first consideration, provides that all persons are
guaranteed equal protection of the laws and no law shall discriminate on the basis
of sex, gender, race, color, sexual orientation, disability, religion, national origin,
marital status, family status, age, or ancestry and requires the government to
protect and secure these equal rights of the governed.
A proposed constitutional amendment requires adoption by two successive
legislatures, and ratification by the people, before it can become effective.
SJR2,1,3
3Resolved by the senate, the assembly concurring, That:
SJR2, s. 1
4Section
1. Section 1 of article I of the constitution is amended to read:
SJR2,2,65
[Article I] Section 1. All people are born equally free and independent, and have
6certain inherent rights; among these are life, liberty
, and the pursuit of happiness;
1to secure these rights, governments are instituted, deriving their just powers from
2the consent of the governed.
All persons are guaranteed equal protection of the laws
3and no law shall discriminate on the basis of sex, gender, race, color, sexual
4orientation, disability, religion, national origin, marital status, family status, age, or
5ancestry. The government shall protect and secure these equal rights of the
6governed.
SJR2,2,9
7Be it further resolved, That this proposed amendment be referred to the
8legislature to be chosen at the next general election and that it be published for 3
9months previous to the time of holding such election.
