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Summary of the Perfected Version of the Bill

HJR 88 -- STATE SOVEREIGNTY (Nieves)
COMMITTEE OF ORIGIN:  Committee on Real ID and Personal Privacy

    Upon voter approval, this proposed constitutional amendment
    asserts its constitutional sovereignty and the sovereignly of its
    citizens under the Tenth Amendment to the United States
    Constitution over all powers not enumerated and delegated to the
    federal government.  In its main provisions, the resolution:

    (1)  Prohibits the executive, judicial, and legislative branches
    of Missouri's government from recognizing, enforcing, or acting
    on any federal law, executive order, judicial or administrative
    ruling, collection or dispersal of revenue, or other actions by
    the three branches of government that exceed the limited powers
    enumerated in the United States Constitution and delegated to the
    federal government;

    (2)  Prohibits the executive, judicial, and legislative branches
    of Missouri's government from recognizing, enforcing, or acting
    on federal restrictions on the right of private citizens to bear
    arms; federal laws legalizing or funding abortions or the
    destruction of human embryos; certain specified federal actions
    involving health care including a federal public option; federal
    actions requiring the sale or trade of carbon credits or the
    taxing on the release of carbon emissions; federal actions
    mandating the recognition of same sex marriages; federal actions
    increasing the penalty for a crime based on a perpetrator's
    thoughts or designating hate crimes; federal actions regarding
    the Establishment Clause based on a "wall of separation" between
    church and state; and federal actions restricting the right of
    parents or guardians to home school or enroll their children in a
    private or parochial school or placing restrictions on the
    school's curriculum;

    (3)  Requires Missouri courts to interpret the United States
    Constitution based on its language and the intent of the signers
    at the time of its passage.  Interpretation of its amendments
    must be based on the intent of the congressional sponsors and
    co-sponsors.  Non-originalist methods of interpretation that
    consider the constitution a "living, breathing document" and any
    interpretation that expands federal authority beyond the limited
    powers enumerated and delegated to the federal government are to
    be deemed to exceed the limited powers of the federal government.
    Missouri courts will be required to use this method of
    interpretation, and any court ruling inconsistent with this
    method will not be recognized or enforced in Missouri; and

    (4)  Allows Missouri citizens to have standing to bring suit to
    enforce the provisions of the resolution.