Page:United States Statutes at Large Volume 95.djvu/147

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PUBLIC LAW 97-000—MMMM. DD, 1981

PUBLIC LAW 97-21—JULY 9, 1981

95 STAT. 121

LEGISLATIVE PROPOSAL

3. The Senate may propose an amendment to this Consti- 48 USC i54i tution upon the affirmative vote of two-thirds of its members. "°*^ SECTION

INITIATIVE SECTION 4.

The people may propose an amendment to this Constitu- 48 USC 1541 tion by initiative. An initiative petition shall contain the full text of ^°^the proposed amendment and shall be signed by 15 percent of the qualified voters of each legislative district of the Virgin Islands or by 51 percent of the qualified voters of the Virgin Islands. LIMITED CONSTITUTION A L CONVENTION

5. A constitutional amendment proposed by the Senate or 48 USC 1541 by initiative may provide, in accordance with its terms, for direct ^°^^ratification by the qualified voters of the Virgin Islands or for the convening of a constitutional convention limited to the issues raised by the proposed amendment. If a majority of those voting on the question of a limited constitutional convention favors holding such a convention, the Senate shall convene a limited constitutional convention within one hundred and twenty days, subject to the same restrictions on membership and adoption of any proposed amendment as those imposed on a general constitutional convention. SECTION

CONSTITUTION A L REVIEW COMMISSION

6. Within five years after the effective date of this 48 USC I54i Constitution and at least once every ten years thereafter, a constitu- ^°^^tional review commission shall be established by law. The commission shall, within one hundred and twenty days of its establishment, make a public report to the Senate with its proposals, if any, for revision of the Constitution. Members of the commission shall be qualified voters of the Virgin Islands. SECTION

RATIFICATION OF AMENDMENTS

7. Each proposed amendment to this Constitution shall be 48 USC I54i submitted to the qualified voters of the Virgin Islands for ratification "'^^^ at the first regular general election or at a special election called by the Senate. A proposed amendment shall take effect in accordance with its terms upon the affirmative vote of a majority of those voting on the amendment. SECTION

TRANSITIONAL SCHEDULE RATIFICATION AND EFFECTIVE DATE OF THE CONSTITUTION

1. This Constitution, as finally approved or modified by the Congress of the United States under Section 5 of Public Law 94-584 (October 12, 1976), shall be submitted to the qualified voters of the Virgin Islands and shall be ratified upon the affirmative vote of a majority of those voting on the question. The Constitution shall take effect one hundred and twenty days after ratification, except as provided in Sections 2 and 5 of this Transitional Schedule. SECTION

48 USC 1541 ^°^^48 USC note ^'"^'^