SB 645
Requiring petition of qualified voters for defeated amendment to be reconsidered regarding city charters
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- Passed Senate
- Passed House of Delegates
- To Governor
- Became Law
Bill overview
This bill requires that if a city charter amendment is defeated, qualified voters can petition to have it reconsidered. The city’s governing body must hold a public hearing on the proposed amendment, publish notice of the hearing, and allow for objections. If no objections are filed, or if objections are withdrawn, the amendment can be adopted. However, if objections are filed and not withdrawn, the amendment can be put to a vote at the next municipal election or a special election if deemed necessary.
Key provisions
- Requires a public hearing for proposed charter amendments.
- Allows qualified voters to file objections to proposed amendments.
- If no objections are filed, the amendment proceeds to adoption.
- If objections are filed and not withdrawn, the amendment is put to a vote at a subsequent election.
- A majority vote is required to approve an amendment.
- If an amendment is defeated, it cannot be proposed again for one year unless a new petition is filed.
- The process is in addition to other charter amendment methods.
- Publication of notices must be done through a Class II-0 legal advertisement.
Who is affected
- City residents
- City governing bodies
- Municipal voters
- Freeholders
- West Virginia cities
Notable changes
- Establishes a process for reconsidering previously defeated charter amendments.
- Requires a voter petition for reconsideration after a defeat.
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