The State and Local Government Committee recommended a due pass on House Concurrent Resolution 3003, a proposal to change the voter threshold for approving constitutional amendments from a simple majority to 60 percent.

Representative Robin Wise (District 14), who introduced the resolution, told the committee the proposal would make constitutional changes more difficult and cited other states’ higher thresholds as context. "This resolution is very simple. Clean, neat, just changes the threshold from 50% vote to pass a constitutional amendment to 60%," Wise said.

Eric Spencer, president and CEO of the Greater North Dakota Chamber, testified in favor and said the group "completely agree[s] with the sentiment of the speaker" that the state constitution should be harder to change. Spencer highlighted differences in amendment frequency and constitution length between state and federal constitutions during his remarks.

Senator Wallen moved a due pass, Senator Barta seconded, and the committee recorded a unanimous 6-0 roll call in favor. The resolution was described on the record as intended for placement on the general-election ballot if adopted.

The committee closed the hearing and forwarded the measure with the due-pass recommendation.