According to a release just in from the Montana Secretary of State’s office, proposed Initiative 161 and two others have qualified for the November ballot.
The National Rifle Association has already spoken out against I-161, saying it is a dangerous effort that threatens Montana’s wildlife management and hunting future.
From the NRA:
It (I-161) proposes to eliminate all outfitter-sponsored licenses currently available in Montana. These outfitter-sponsored licenses would be reallocated to non-residents through the general draw system and significant price increases would be imposed on all general non-resident draw tags.
Here’s the full press release from the Secretary of State’s office:
Secretary of State Linda McCulloch Certifies 3 Ballot Issue Proposals;
I-161, I-164, CI-105 Qualify for November General Election Ballot
HELENA – Secretary of State and Chief Elections Officer Linda McCulloch today announced that three ballot initiatives have received enough signatures to qualify for the November General Election ballot. I-161, I-164 and CI-105 are set to appear on the ballot along with CC-2, which is the constitutionally required call for a Montana constitutional convention.
“Out of 26 proposed ballot measures, three have successfully met the requirements needed to qualify for the November ballot,” Secretary McCulloch said. “Even after we tabulate the remaining signatures, none of the other ballot issues will have enough signatures to qualify.”
Latest totals indicate the following ballot issues will appear on the November 2, 2010 general election ballot:
I-161 (Status current as of 7/19/2010)
Subject: Change how hunter access programs are funded
Sponsor: Kurt Kephart
Type: Statutory amendment by initiative
Total signatures received and tallied by SOS: 26,972 signatures, 37 qualified house districts.
I-164 (Status current as of 7/19/2010)
Subject: Limit the annual interest, fees, and charges certain lenders may charge on certain loans and contracts to 36 percent.
Sponsor: Jim Reynolds
Type: Statutory amendment by initiative
Total signatures received and tallied by SOS: 26,956 signatures, 54 qualified house districts.
CI-105 (Status current as of 7/19/2010)
Subject: Prohibit any new tax on the sale or transfer of real property
Sponsor: Montana Association of REALTORS Æ
Type: Constitutional amendment by initiative
Total signatures received and tallied by SOS: 51,428 signatures, 57 qualified house districts.
The Montana Constitution requires the question of holding an unlimited constitutional convention to be submitted to voters every 20 years, therefore CC-2 will appear on the ballot without being subject to the signature gathering requirements provided in law for the initiative and referendum process.
CC-2 (Status current as of 7/19/2010)
Subject: Call for a Montana constitutional convention
Type: Periodic submission of question of holding an unlimited constitutional convention
Status: ON BALLOT, pursuant to Article XIV, Section 3 of the Montana Constitution and 13-1-121 and 13-1-122, Montana Code Annotated.
The Secretary of State’s Office provides detailed information regarding each of the qualified ballot issues in the Secretary of State’s Voter Information Pamphlet. The pamphlet will be mailed in October to every household with an active registered voter.
More information regarding each of the citizen proposed ballot issues and signature gathering requirements can be found on the Secretary of State’s website at sos.mt.gov/Elections.
This press release can be viewed online at sos.mt.gov.