Ballot language released on proposed constitutional changes

Four proposed constitutional amendments approved by the Legislature last session will be placed on the November 2012 general election ballot for voter approval. The Legislature’s executive board met June 11 to finalize the wording of each ballot statement.

If approved by voters, LR19CA will make a misdemeanor related to the election by which a civil officer was elected to office an impeachable offense. Currently, the state constitution indicates that a civil officer may be impeached for any misdemeanor committed while in office. The ballot statement for LR19CA will read:

“A vote FOR this constitutional amendment would authorize impeachment of civil officers for acts that occur in pursuit of the office. Current law only allows for impeachment for acts that occur while in office.”

“A vote AGAINST this constitutional amendment would not authorize impeachment of civil officers from acts that occur while the civil officer is pursuing the office.”

LR40CA places on the ballot a proposed amendment to establish that the right to hunt, fish and harvest wildlife is subject only to laws, rules and regulations that preserve the future of hunting, fishing and the promotion of wildlife conservation and management. If adopted by voters, the constitutional amendment would declare public hunting and fishing as the preferred means of managing and controlling wildlife. The ballot statement for LR40CA will read:

“A vote FOR this constitutional amendment would set forth a constitutional right to hunt, to fish, and to harvest wildlife and would designate public hunting, fishing, and harvesting of wildlife as a preferred means of managing and controlling wildlife. The right set forth by this constitutional amendment would be subject to certain laws, rules, and regulations, and this constitutional amendment would not be construed to modify current laws relating to trespass or property right laws or constitutional provisions pertaining to water.”

“A vote AGAINST this constitutional amendment would result in the right to hunt, to fish, and to harvest wildlife not being added to the Constitution of Nebraska and public hunting, fishing, and harvesting of wildlife not being designated a preferred means of managing and controlling wildlife.”

Two other constitutional amendments, if approved, will increase state senators’ salaries and extend the amount of time senators can serve in the state Legislature.

LR373CA would increase each senator’s salary from $12,000 to $22,500. The ballot statement will read:

“A vote FOR this constitutional amendment would increase the salary for members of the Legislature from twelve thousand dollars per year to twenty-two thousand five hundred dollars per year, beginning January 2013.”

“A vote AGAINST this constitutional amendment would result in no change in the salary for members of the Legislature.”

LR358CA allows voters to extend the state constitution’s current limit of two consecutive four-year terms for state senators to three consecutive terms. The ballot statement for LR358CA will read:

“A vote FOR this constitutional amendment would change the number of terms a member of the Legislature may serve from two consecutive four year terms to three consecutive four year terms.”

“A vote AGAINST this constitutional amendment would retain two consecutive four year terms as the number of terms a member of the Legislature may serve.”

The general election is scheduled for Nov. 6.