2017 -- H 5401

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LC000658

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     STATE OF RHODE ISLAND

IN GENERAL ASSEMBLY

JANUARY SESSION, A.D. 2017

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J O I N T   R E S O L U T I O N

TO APPROVE AND PUBLISH AND SUBMIT TO THE ELECTORS A PROPOSITION OF

AMENDMENT TO THE CONSTITUTION OF THE STATE (EMPOWERMENT OF

INDIVIDUAL TAXPAYERS)

     

     Introduced By: Representatives Filippi, Mendonca, Roberts, Quattrocchi, and Morgan

     Date Introduced: February 03, 2017

     Referred To: House Judiciary

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     WHEREAS, The participation and vigilance of each citizen and taxpayer is vital to the

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health of our form of government;

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     RESOLVED, That a majority of all members elected to each house of the general

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assembly voting therefor, the following amendment to the Constitution of the state be proposed to

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the qualified electors of the state in accordance with the provisions of Article XIV of the

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Constitution, for their approval and the following article is hereby amended, effective on January

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1, 2019, by adding thereto the following section:

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ARTICLE I

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DECLARATION OF RIGHTS

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     Section 25. Standing of individual taxpayer. Any taxpayer shall have the standing to

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contest the validity or legality of any governmental expenditure or tax in the appropriate forum.

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     RESOLVED, That the said proposition of amendment shall be submitted to the electors

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for their approval or rejection at the next statewide general election. The voting places in the

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several cities and towns shall be kept open during the hours required by law for voting therein for

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general officers of the state; and be it further

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     RESOLVED, That the secretary of state shall cause the said proposition of amendment to

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be published as a part of this resolution in the newspapers of the state prior to the date of the said

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meetings of the said electors; and the said proposition shall be inserted in the warrants or notices

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to be issued previous to said meetings of the electors for the purpose of warning the town, ward,

 

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or district meetings, and said proposition shall be read by the town, ward, or district meetings to

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be held as aforesaid; and be it further

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     RESOLVED, That the town, ward, and district meetings to be held aforesaid shall be

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warned, and the list of voters shall be canvassed and made up, and the said town, ward, and

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district meetings shall be conducted in the same manner as now provided by law for the town,

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ward, and district meetings for the election of general officers of the state.

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EXPLANATION

BY THE LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL

OF

J O I N T   R E S O L U T I O N

TO APPROVE AND PUBLISH AND SUBMIT TO THE ELECTORS A PROPOSITION OF

AMENDMENT TO THE CONSTITUTION OF THE STATE (EMPOWERMENT OF

INDIVIDUAL TAXPAYERS)

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     This joint resolution would propose a constitutional amendment that would affirm the

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standing of each individual taxpayer to contest the validity or legality of any governmental

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expenditure or tax in the appropriate forum.

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LC000658

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