North Dakota House approves single-subject requirement for constitutional amendments after extended floor debate

The North Dakota House on Tuesday approved Senate Concurrent Resolution 4007, a proposed constitutional amendment that would require each initiated amendment and each legislative proposal to the state constitution to address a single subject. The measure passed on a final vote of 68 yea, 25 nay.

Supporters told the House the single-subject rule would increase clarity for voters. Representative Vedder, the Government and Veterans Affairs Committee chairman, said the measure would "limit an amendment to be only 1 subject" and noted the secretary of state would consult the attorney general when making determinations. "All decisions of the secretary of state in the petition process are subject to review by the supreme court in the exercise of original jurisdiction," Vedder said, reading statute text onto the floor.