A resolution to propose to the people of the State of California an amendment to the Constitution of the State, by amending Section 5 of Article IV thereof, relating to the Legislature.

The California Constitution provides that each house of the Legislature shall judge the qualifications and elections of its Members and may expel a Member by a vote of 23 of the membership of the house. The California Constitution further charges the California Citizens Compensation Commission with the responsibility to establish the annual salary and benefits of all state officers, and provides that the salary of an elected state officer may not be reduced during his or her term of office. This measure would require that, to suspend a Member of either house of the Legislature, a motion or resolution to that effect shall be adopted by a vote of 23 of the membership of the house, as specified. The measure would prohibit a suspended Member from exercising any of the rights, privileges, duties, or powers of his or her office, or from utilizing any resources of the Legislature, while the suspension is in effect. If the motion or resolution imposing the suspension does not specify the date upon which the suspension ends, this measure would require a vote of 23 of the membership of the house to remove the suspension. The measure also would authorize the salary and benefits of the Member to be forfeited for all or part of the period of the suspension by express provision of the motion or resolution.