SJR 61 - This constitutional amendment, if approved by the voters, makes various additions to the constitutional article on elections. The amendment creates the "Securing Missouri's Future from Foreign Interference in Elections Amendment." It is unlawful for a foreign government, a foreign political party, an individual who is not a citizen of the United States of America, or any other foreign national as defined by law to directly or indirectly make a payment, gift, loan, advance, deposit, or donation of money or anything of value for the purpose of influencing Missouri elections, as described in detail in the amendment. The amendment requires the revocation of lobbying registration of any lobbyist who knowingly, willfully, corruptly, or fraudulently assists a foreign government, a foreign political party, an individual who is not a citizen of the United States of America, or any other foreign national as defined by law to violate any of the provisions of this amendment. If such knowing, willful, corrupt, or fraudulent assistance involved a state sponsor of terrorism or a foreign terrorist organization, as defined by law, then such lobbyist shall also be guilty of a felony and shall be punished as provided by law. The amendment makes it an impeachable offense, if the officer is subject to impeachment, and a removable offense for all other officers, to knowingly, willfully, corruptly, or fraudulently assist a foreign government, a foreign political party, an individual who is not a citizen of the United States of America, or any other foreign national to violate any of the provisions of this amendment or any law enacted under the authority of this amendment, including but not limited to accepting or concealing illegal foreign money or bribes from foreign interests. Beginning January 1, 2027, any such public official who is removed or impeached for such violation shall be disqualified from receiving any pension and retirement benefits from the state of Missouri. If such knowing, willful, corrupt, or fraudulent assistance involved a state sponsor of terrorism or a foreign terrorist organization, then such public official shall also be guilty of a felony and shall be punished as provided by law enacted by the General Assembly. The amendment creates new restrictions on the use of initiative and referendum petitions, relating to foreign activity in this state. To the greatest extent possible, election infrastructure used in state and local elections, including but not limited to voter registration databases, voting machines, voting tabulation equipment, and equipment for the secure transmission of election results shall be sourced, manufactured, and assembled in the United States. The General Assembly shall enact such laws and may make such appropriations necessary to enforce and assist in these and other state and local election integrity efforts. The amendment establishes new provisions requiring the Secretary of State (SOS) to determine and declare for each statewide initiative and referendum petition whether it complies with the provisions of this amendment or other provisions of law restricting the use of the initiative and referendum. If a proposed statewide initiative or referendum petition does not comply, the SOS shall remove it from consideration for signature gathering and placement on the ballot, stating the reason or reasons why it was removed. If a proposed constitutional amendment submitted by initiative petition or a proposed law submitted by an initiative or referendum petition has been approved for placement on the ballot, and if based on information that the SOS obtains or receives after such placement that it does not comply with the provisions of this amendment or other provisions of law restricting the use of the initiative and referendum, then the SOS shall remove such proposed constitutional amendment or law from the ballot prior to it being voted on, stating the reason or reasons why it was removed. Any local initiative or referendum measure that does not comply with the provisions of this amendment or other provisions of law restricting the use of the initiative and referendum shall be removed as provided by law enacted by the General Assembly. For all constitutional amendments submitted by initiative petition or laws submitted by an initiative or referendum petition which were enacted into this constitution or law on or after the general election held in November, 2024, and on or before thirty-one days after this section is approved by the voters of Missouri, the SOS shall determine and declare whether a foreign government, a foreign political party, an individual who is not a citizen of the United States of America, or any other foreign national as defined by law directly or indirectly made a significant payment, gift, loan, advance, deposit, or donation of money or anything of value for the purpose of supporting the drafting, qualification, or passage of such initiative or referendum measure. If the SOS determines that such significant support did occur, then the SOS shall declare that such constitutional amendment or law is annulled and repealed. If such constitutional amendment or law, in whole or in part, was the repeal and reenactment of a previously enacted provision or provisions of this constitution or law, then the previously enacted provision or provisions of this constitution or law shall be reinstated and shall be in full force and effect. SCOTT SVAGERA