Senate Bill 25-392

SENATE:

• Mark Cho

• Virgil Murillo

• Benny Harrison

HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES:

• Celia Simmons

• Emma Johnston

• Lewis Yates

• Laurie Roberts

• Jeannette Murphy

• Julia Willis

• Adrian Gonzales

The Legislature finds and declares that a diverse and representative government is essential to the welfare of the State of San Andreas. Article XIV, Section 1, which prohibits all compensation for elected officials at every level of government, creates a significant barrier to public service for individuals of modest means, including working families, young professionals, and retirees. This provision effectively limits holding public office to those who are independently wealthy or otherwise subsidized, which is contrary to the principles of equal opportunity and representative democracy enshrined in this Constitution. It is the intent of the Legislature in proposing this amendment to remove this barrier, thereby encouraging the broadest possible participation in the democratic process and ensuring that public service is accessible to all qualified citizens, not just those who can afford to serve without pay.

Section 1 of Article XIV of the Constitution of the State of San Andreas is hereby repealed in its entirety.

“SECTION 1: NO COMPENSATION FOR PUBLIC OFFICE

No elected official in the State of San Andreas, at the state, county, or municipal level, shall receive compensation, salary, or stipend for holding public office. This provision is intended to ensure that public service is undertaken for the benefit of the citizenry and not for personal financial gain. The Legislature may, however, provide for the reimbursement of reasonable expenses incurred by officials in the performance of their duties.”

IMPLEMENTATION AND AUTHORITY.

Upon ratification of this amendment by the voters, the Legislature shall have the authority to enact statutes establishing appropriate compensation, salaries, and benefits for elected officials at the state, county, and municipal levels. Such statutes shall be enacted with full transparency and public deliberation.

MANDATORY PETITION OF REFERENDUM: Pursuant to Article VII, Section 4 of the Constitution of the State of San Andreas, all legislation concerning elections, education, and the state treasury may not be enacted by the General Assembly without direct approval of the electorate. Such measures must be submitted to the voters at the November general election. Furthermore, amendments to the Constitution require approval by at least 55 percent of qualified electors. As this bill proposes constitutional changes relating to elections, it shall be submitted to the people of San Andreas at the 2025 Coordinated Election, appearing on the ballot as AMENDMENT A. The amendment shall be adopted only upon receiving the approval of no less than 55 percent of the votes cast. 

Bill Text