AJR148: Joint Resolution Text

LRB-5316/1

MPG:skw

2019 - 2020 LEGISLATURE

2019 Assembly JOINT RESOLUTION 148

February 20, 2020 - Introduced by Representatives C. Taylor, Subeck, Zamarripa, Cabrera, Neubauer, Sargent, Sinicki, Hesselbein, Ohnstad, Spreitzer, Pope, Shankland, Anderson, Billings, Emerson and Considine, cosponsored by Senators Smith, Larson and Ringhand. Referred to Committee on Constitution and Ethics.

AJR148,1,4 To renumber section 3 of article I; and to create section 3 (2) of article I of the constitution; relating to: establishing that making political contributions and spending money to influence elections may not be considered free speech for corporations (first consideration).

Analysis by the Legislative Reference Bureau

This constitutional amendment, proposed to the 2019 legislature on first consideration, prohibits construing political contributions made by corporations and money otherwise spent by corporations to influence elections as free speech under the Wisconsin Constitution.

A proposed constitutional amendment requires adoption by two successive legislatures, and ratification by the people, before it becomes effective.

AJR148,1,5 Resolved by the assembly, the senate concurring, That:

AJR148,1 Section 1. Section 3 of article I of the constitution is renumbered section 3 (1) of article I.

AJR148,2 Section 2. Section 3 (2) of article I of the constitution is created to read:

AJR148,1,10 [Article I] Section 3 (2) No political contribution or money otherwise spent by a corporation to influence an election may be construed as speech under sub. (1).

AJR148,3 Section 3. Numbering of new provisions. If another constitutional amendment ratified by the people creates the number of any provision created in this joint resolution, the chief of the legislative reference bureau shall determine the sequencing and the numbering of the provisions whose numbers conflict and shall adjust any cross-references to those provisions.

AJR148,2,8 Be it further resolved, That this proposed amendment be referred to the legislature to be chosen at the next general election and that it be published for three months previous to the time of holding such election.

AJR148,2,9 (End)