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The Wyoming Constitution

Wyoming · constitution

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Contents: 316 provisions
  1. Article 1, Section 1 Power inherent in the people.
  2. Article 1, Section 2 Equality of all.
  3. Article 1, Section 3 Equal political rights.
  4. Article 1, Section 4 Security against search and seizure.
  5. Article 1, Section 5 Imprisonment for debt.
  6. Article 1, Section 6 Due process of law.
  7. Article 1, Section 7 No absolute, arbitrary power.
  8. Article 1, Section 8 Courts open to all; suits against state.
  9. Article 1, Section 9 Trial by jury inviolate.
  10. Article 1, Section 10 Right of accused to defend.
  11. Article 1, Section 11 Self-incrimination; jeopardy.
  12. Article 1, Section 12 Detaining witnesses.
  13. Article 1, Section 13 Indictment.
  14. Article 1, Section 14 Bail; cruel and unusual punishment.
  15. Article 1, Section 15 Penal code to be humane.
  16. Article 1, Section 16 Conduct of jails.
  17. Article 1, Section 17 Habeas corpus.
  18. Article 1, Section 18 Religious liberty.
  19. Article 1, Section 19 Appropriations for sectarian or religious societies or institutions prohibited.
  20. Article 1, Section 20 Freedom of speech and press; libel; truth a defense.
  21. Article 1, Section 21 Right of petition and peaceable assembly.
  22. Article 1, Section 22 Protection of labor.
  23. Article 1, Section 23 Education.
  24. Article 1, Section 24 Right to bear arms.
  25. Article 1, Section 25 Military subordinate to civil power; quartering soldiers.
  26. Article 1, Section 26 Treason.
  27. Article 1, Section 27 Elections free and equal.
  28. Article 1, Section 28 Taxation; consent of people; uniformity and equality.
  29. Article 1, Section 29 Rights of aliens.
  30. Article 1, Section 30 Monopolies and perpetuities prohibited.
  31. Article 1, Section 31 Control of water.
  32. Article 1, Section 32 Eminent domain.
  33. Article 1, Section 33 Compensation for property taken.
  34. Article 1, Section 34 Uniform operation of general law.
  35. Article 1, Section 35 Ex post facto laws; impairing obligation of contracts.
  36. Article 1, Section 36 Rights not enumerated reserved to people.
  37. Article 1, Section 37 Constitution of United States supreme law of land.
  38. Article 1, Section 38 Right of health care access.
  39. Article 1, Section 39 Opportunity to hunt, fish and trap.
  40. Article 2, Section 1 Powers of government divided into three departments.
  41. Article 3, Section 1 Composition and name of legislature.
  42. Article 3, Section 2 Members' terms and qualifications.
  43. Article 3, Section 3 Legislative apportionment.
  44. Article 3, Section 4 Vacancies. [Repealed.]
  45. Article 3, Section 5 When members elected and terms begin.
  46. Article 3, Section 6 Compensation of members; duration of sessions.
  47. Article 3, Section 7 Time and place of sessions.
  48. Article 3, Section 8 Members disqualified for other office.
  49. Article 3, Section 9 Compensation not to be increased during term.
  50. Article 3, Section 10 Presiding officers; other officers;
  51. Article 3, Section 11 Quorum.
  52. Article 3, Section 12 Rules, punishment and protection.
  53. Article 3, Section 13 Journals.
  54. Article 3, Section 14 Sessions to be open.
  55. Article 3, Section 15 Adjournment.
  56. Article 3, Section 16 Privilege of members.
  57. Article 3, Section 17 Power of impeachment; proceedings.
  58. Article 3, Section 18 Who may be impeached.
  59. Article 3, Section 19 Removal of officers not subject to impeachment.
  60. Article 3, Section 20 Laws to be passed by bill; alteration or amendment of bills.
  61. Article 3, Section 21 Enacting clause of law.
  62. Article 3, Section 22 Limitation on time for introducing bill for appropriation.
  63. Article 3, Section 23 Bill must go to committee.
  64. Article 3, Section 24 Bill to contain only one subject, which shall be expressed in title.
  65. Article 3, Section 25 Vote required to pass bill.
  66. Article 3, Section 26 How laws revised, amended or extended.
  67. Article 3, Section 27 Special and local laws prohibited.
  68. Article 3, Section 28 Signing of bills.
  69. Article 3, Section 29 Legislative employees.
  70. Article 3, Section 30 Extra compensation to public officers prohibited.
  71. Article 3, Section 31 Supplies for legislature and departments.
  72. Article 3, Section 32 Changing terms and salaries of public officers.
  73. Article 3, Section 33 Origin of revenue bills.
  74. Article 3, Section 34 General appropriation bills; other appropriations.
  75. Article 3, Section 35 Money expended only on appropriation.
  76. Article 3, Section 36 Prohibited appropriations.
  77. Article 3, Section 37 Delegation of power to perform municipal functions prohibited.
  78. Article 3, Section 38 Investment of trust funds.
  79. Article 3, Section 39 Aid to railroads prohibited.
  80. Article 3, Section 40 Debts to state or municipal
  81. Article 3, Section 41 Resolutions; approval or veto.
  82. Article 3, Section 42 Bribery of legislators and
  83. Article 3, Section 43 Offers to bribe.
  84. Article 3, Section 44 Witnesses in bribery charges.
  85. Article 3, Section 45 Legislature shall define corrupt solicitation.
  86. Article 3, Section 46 Interested member shall not vote.
  87. Article 3, Section 47 Congressional representation.
  88. Article 3, Section 48 State census.
  89. Article 3, Section 49 District representation.
  90. Article 3, Section 50 Apportionment for first legislature.
  91. Article 3, Section 51 Filling of vacancies.
  92. Article 3, Section 52 Initiative and referendum.
  93. Article 3, Section 53 Creation of criminal penalties not subject to governor's power to commute.
  94. Article 4, Section 1 Executive power vested in governor; term of governor.
  95. Article 4, Section 2 Qualifications of governor.
  96. Article 4, Section 3 Election of governor.
  97. Article 4, Section 4 Powers and duties of governor generally.
  98. Article 4, Section 5 Pardoning power of governor.
  99. Article 4, Section 6 Acting governor.
  100. Article 4, Section 7 When governor may fill vacancies in office.
  101. Article 4, Section 8 Approval or veto of legislation by governor; passage over veto.
  102. Article 4, Section 9 Veto of items of appropriations.
  103. Article 4, Section 10 Bribery or coercion of or by governor.
  104. Article 4, Section 11 State officers; election; qualifications; terms.
  105. Article 4, Section 12 State officers; powers and duties.
  106. Article 4, Section 13 Salaries of governor and other elective state officers.
  107. Article 4, Section 14 Examination of accounts.
  108. Article 4, Section 15 Great seal of state.
  109. Article 5, Section 1 How judicial power vested.
  110. Article 5, Section 2 Supreme court generally; appellate jurisdiction.
  111. Article 5, Section 3 Supreme court generally; original jurisdiction.
  112. Article 5, Section 4 Supreme court generally; number;
  113. Article 5, Section 5 Voluntary retirement and compensation of justices and judges.
  114. Article 5, Section 6 Commission on judicial conduct and ethics.
  115. Article 5, Section 7 Supreme court generally; terms of court.
  116. Article 5, Section 8 Supreme court generally; qualifications of justices.
  117. Article 5, Section 9 Supreme court generally; clerk.
  118. Article 5, Section 10 District courts generally; jurisdiction.
  119. Article 5, Section 11 District courts generally; judges to hold court for each other.
  120. Article 5, Section 12 District courts generally; qualifications of judges.
  121. Article 5, Section 13 District courts generally; clerks.
  122. Article 5, Section 14 District courts generally; commissioners.
  123. Article 5, Section 15 Style of process.
  124. Article 5, Section 16 Supreme court judges limited to judicial duties.
  125. Article 5, Section 17 Salaries of judges of supreme and district courts.
  126. Article 5, Section 18 Appeals from district courts to supreme court.
  127. Article 5, Section 19 State divided into districts; election and terms of district judges.
  128. Article 5, Section 20 Districts defined.
  129. Article 5, Section 21 Increase in number of districts and judges.
  130. Article 5, Section 22 Jurisdiction of justices of the peace.
  131. Article 5, Section 23 Appeals from justices' courts.
  132. Article 5, Section 24 Terms of district courts; attaching unorganized territory to organized counties.
  133. Article 5, Section 25 Judges of supreme and district courts shall not practice.
  134. Article 5, Section 26 Power to fix terms of court.
  135. Article 5, Section 27 Judges of supreme and district courts shall not hold other office.
  136. Article 5, Section 28 Appeals from boards of arbitration.
  137. Article 5, Section 29 Juvenile delinquency and domestic relations courts.
  138. Article 6, Section 1 Male and female citizens to enjoy equal rights.
  139. Article 6, Section 2 Qualifications of electors.
  140. Article 6, Section 3 Electors privileged from arrest.
  141. Article 6, Section 4 Exemption of electors from military duty.
  142. Article 6, Section 5 Electors must be citizens of United States.
  143. Article 6, Section 6 What persons excluded from franchise.
  144. Article 6, Section 7 When residence not lost by reason of absence.
  145. Article 6, Section 8 Soldiers stationed in state not considered residents.
  146. Article 6, Section 9 Educational qualifications of electors.
  147. Article 6, Section 10 Alien suffrage.
  148. Article 6, Section 11 Manner of holding elections.
  149. Article 6, Section 12 Registration of voters required.
  150. Article 6, Section 13 Purity of elections to be provided for.
  151. Article 6, Section 14 Election contests.
  152. Article 6, Section 15 Qualifications for office.
  153. Article 6, Section 16 When officers to hold over; suspension of officers.
  154. Article 6, Section 17 Time of holding general and special elections; when elected officers to enter upon duties.
  155. Article 6, Section 18 Method of selecting officers whose election is not provided for.
  156. Article 6, Section 19 Dual office holding.
  157. Article 6, Section 20 Oath of office; form.
  158. Article 6, Section 21 Oath of office; how administered.
  159. Article 6, Section 22 Absent voter ballots, voting and registration.
  160. Article 7, Section 1 Legislature to provide for public schools.
  161. Article 7, Section 2 School revenues.
  162. Article 7, Section 3 Other sources of school revenues.
  163. Article 7, Section 4 Restriction in use of revenues.
  164. Article 7, Section 5 Fines and penalties to belong to public school fund.
  165. Article 7, Section 6 State to keep school funds; investment.
  166. Article 7, Section 7 Application of school funds.
  167. Article 7, Section 8 Distribution of school funds.
  168. Article 7, Section 9 Taxation for schools.
  169. Article 7, Section 10 No discrimination between pupils.
  170. Article 7, Section 11 Textbooks.
  171. Article 7, Section 12 Sectarianism prohibited.
  172. Article 7, Section 13 Land commissioners.
  173. Article 7, Section 14 Supervision of schools entrusted to state superintendent of public instruction.
  174. Article 7, Section 15 Establishment of university confirmed.
  175. Article 7, Section 16 Tuition free.
  176. Article 7, Section 17 Government of university.
  177. Article 7, Section 18 Establishment of institutions.
  178. Article 7, Section 19 Territorial institutions pass to state.
  179. Article 7, Section 20 Duty of legislature to protect and promote health and morality of people.
  180. Article 7, Section 21 Buildings and property of territory pass to state.
  181. Article 7, Section 22 Construction and supervision.
  182. Article 7, Section 23 Permanent location.
  183. Article 8, Section 1 Water is state property.
  184. Article 8, Section 2 Board of control.
  185. Article 8, Section 3 Priority of appropriation.
  186. Article 8, Section 4 Water divisions.
  187. Article 8, Section 5 State engineer.
  188. Article 9, Section 1 Inspector of mines.
  189. Article 9, Section 2 Legislature to enact regulatory laws.
  190. Article 9, Section 3 Restrictions on employment in mines.
  191. Article 9, Section 4 Right of action for injuries.
  192. Article 9, Section 5 School of mines.
  193. Article 9, Section 6 State geologist.
  194. Article 10, Section 1 Creation.
  195. Article 10, Section 2 Control by state.
  196. Article 10, Section 3 Forfeited charters.
  197. Article 10, Section 4 Damages for personal injuries or death; worker's compensation.
  198. Article 10, Section 5 Acceptance of constitution.
  199. Article 10, Section 6 Engaging in more than one line of business.
  200. Article 10, Section 7 What corporations are common carriers.
  201. Article 10, Section 8 Trusts prohibited.
  202. Article 10, Section 9 Eminent domain.
  203. Article 10, Section 10 Mutual and co-operative associations.
  204. Article 10, Section 11 Powers and rights of railroads.
  205. Article 10, Section 12 Discrimination by railroads and telegraph lines forbidden.
  206. Article 10, Section 13 Railroads to make annual reports to state auditor.
  207. Article 10, Section 14 Eminent domain.
  208. Article 10, Section 15 Aid to railroads and telegraph lines prohibited.
  209. Article 10, Section 16 Acceptance of constitution by existing railroad, transportation and telegraph companies.
  210. Article 10, Section 17 Rights of telegraph companies.
  211. Article 10, Section 18 Foreign railroad or telegraph company must have agent for service of process.
  212. Article 10, Section 19 Location of depots.
  213. Article 11, Section 1 State boundaries.
  214. Article 12, Section 1 Existing counties remain such.
  215. Article 12, Section 2 Organization of new counties.
  216. Article 12, Section 3 Changing county seats.
  217. Article 12, Section 4 Township organization.
  218. Article 12, Section 5 County officers.
  219. Article 13, Section 1 Incorporation; alteration of
  220. Article 13, Section 2 Consent of electors necessary.
  221. Article 13, Section 3 Restriction on powers to levy taxes and contract debts.
  222. Article 13, Section 4 Franchises.
  223. Article 13, Section 5 Acquisition of water rights.
  224. Article 14, Section 1 Stated salaries to be paid.
  225. Article 14, Section 2 Fees.
  226. Article 14, Section 3 Legislature to designate county offices and fix salaries of county officers.
  227. Article 14, Section 4 Deputies.
  228. Article 14, Section 5 Who are county officers referred to by section 3.
  229. Article 14, Section 6 Consolidation of offices.
  230. Article 15, Section 1 Assessment of lands and improvements thereon.
  231. Article 15, Section 2 Assessment of coal lands.
  232. Article 15, Section 3 Taxation of mines and mining claims.
  233. Article 15, Section 4 State levy limited.
  234. Article 15, Section 5 County levies limited.
  235. Article 15, Section 6 City levies limited.
  236. Article 15, Section 7 Depositories for public moneys.
  237. Article 15, Section 8 Profit making from public funds prohibited.
  238. Article 15, Section 9 Legislature to provide for state board of equalization.
  239. Article 15, Section 10 Duties of state board of equalization.
  240. Article 15, Section 11 Uniformity of assessment required.
  241. Article 15, Section 12 Exemptions from taxation.
  242. Article 15, Section 13 Tax must be authorized by law; law to state object.
  243. Article 15, Section 14 Surrender of taxing power prohibited.
  244. Article 15, Section 15 State tax for support of public schools.
  245. Article 15, Section 16 Disposition of fees, excises and license taxes on vehicles and gasoline.
  246. Article 15, Section 17 County levy for support and maintenance of public schools.
  247. Article 15, Section 18 Full tax credit allowed against any liability arising from a tax on income.
  248. Article 15, Section 19 Mineral excise tax; distribution.
  249. Article 15, Section 20 Higher education trust funds; investments; earnings.
  250. Article 16, Section 1 Limitation on state debt.
  251. Article 16, Section 2 Creation of state debt in excess of taxes for current year.
  252. Article 16, Section 3 Limitation on county debt.
  253. Article 16, Section 4 Creation of county or municipal debt in excess of taxes for current year.
  254. Article 16, Section 5 Limitation on municipal, county or school district debt.
  255. Article 16, Section 6 Loan of credit; donations
  256. Article 16, Section 7 Payments of public money.
  257. Article 16, Section 8 Endorsements required on bonds and other evidences of indebtedness.
  258. Article 16, Section 9 Construction and improvement of public roads and highways.
  259. Article 16, Section 10 Construction and improvement of works for conservation and utilization of water.
  260. Article 16, Section 11 Construction, maintenance and
  261. Article 16, Section 12 Economic development loan fund.
  262. Article 16, Section 13 Industrial and economic development; powers of counties and municipalities.
  263. Article 17, Section 1 Of whom militia constituted.
  264. Article 17, Section 2 Legislature to provide for enrollment, equipment and discipline.
  265. Article 17, Section 3 How officers commissioned.
  266. Article 17, Section 4 Flags.
  267. Article 17, Section 5 Governor to be commander-in-chief; powers.
  268. Article 18, Section 1 Acceptance of lands from United States; sale of such lands.
  269. Article 18, Section 2 Application of proceeds of sale or rental.
  270. Article 18, Section 3 Board of land commissioners.
  271. Article 18, Section 4 Legislature to provide for disposition of lands.
  272. Article 18, Section 5 Special privileges prohibited.
  273. Article 18, Section 6 Disposition of unexpended income of perpetual school fund.
  274. Article 19, Section 1 Legislature to provide for protection of livestock and stock owners.
  275. Article 19, Section 2 Day's work.
  276. Article 19, Section 3 Who shall not be employed on public works.
  277. Article 19, Section 4 Legislature to provide for enforcement of section 3.
  278. Article 19, Section 5 Legislature to establish courts of arbitration; duties.
  279. Article 19, Section 6 Importing armed bodies to suppress violence prohibited; exception.
  280. Article 19, Section 7 Contract exempting employer from liability for personal injuries prohibited.
  281. Article 19, Section 8 Legislature to provide for voluntary submission of differences to arbitrators.
  282. Article 19, Section 9 Exemption of homestead.
  283. Article 19, Section 10 Intoxicating liquors.
  284. Article 19, Section 11 Use of monies in public employee retirement funds restricted.
  285. Article 20, Section 1 How amendments proposed by legislature and submitted to people.
  286. Article 20, Section 2 How two or more amendments voted on.
  287. Article 20, Section 3 Constitutional convention.
  288. Article 20, Section 4 Constitution adopted by convention to be submitted to people.
  289. Article 21, Section 1 Acquired rights continue.
  290. Article 21, Section 2 Territorial property vested in state.
  291. Article 21, Section 3 Territorial laws become state laws.
  292. Article 21, Section 4 Accrued fines go to state.
  293. Article 21, Section 5 State to sue on bonds and prosecute crimes.
  294. Article 21, Section 6 Territorial officers to hold over.
  295. Article 21, Section 7 Submission of constitution.
  296. Article 21, Section 8 When constitution takes effect.
  297. Article 21, Section 9 First state election; time of holding; proclamation.
  298. Article 21, Section 10 First state election; duty of county commissioners; who may vote; conduct of election.
  299. Article 21, Section 11 First state election; board of canvassers.
  300. Article 21, Section 12 When officers shall qualify; oaths; bonds.
  301. Article 21, Section 13 First state legislature.
  302. Article 21, Section 14 Laws to be passed.
  303. Article 21, Section 15 Transfer of pending causes, records and seal of courts.
  304. Article 21, Section 16 Court seals.
  305. Article 21, Section 17 Transfer of causes and records from probate courts to district courts.
  306. Article 21, Section 18 How legislature chosen.
  307. Article 21, Section 19 Duration of terms of territorial county and precinct officers.
  308. Article 21, Section 20 Terms of state officers first elected.
  309. Article 21, Section 21 Regular session of legislature following first session.
  310. Article 21, Section 22 Regular election following first session of legislature to be omitted.
  311. Article 21, Section 23 Why constitution framed.
  312. Article 21, Section 24 State part of United States.
  313. Article 21, Section 25 Religious liberty.
  314. Article 21, Section 26 Ownership of certain lands disclaimed; restriction on taxation of nonresidents.
  315. Article 21, Section 27 Territorial liabilities assumed.
  316. Article 21, Section 28 Legislature to provide for public schools.

Proposed changes to this act

No one has proposed a change to this act yet.

316 provisions

Article 10, Section 8 Trusts prohibited.

There shall be no consolidation or combination of corporations of any kind whatever to prevent competition, to control or influence productions or prices thereof, or in any other manner to interfere with the public good and general welfare.

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Article 10, Section 9 Eminent domain.

The right of eminent domain shall never be so abridged or construed as to prevent the legislature from taking property and franchises of incorporated companies and subjecting them to public use the same as the property of individuals.

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Article 10, Section 10 Mutual and co-operative associations.

The legislature shall provide by suitable legislation for the organization of mutual and co-operative associations or corporations.

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Article 10, Section 11 Powers and rights of railroads.

Any railroad corporation or association organized for the purpose, shall have the right to construct and operate a railroad between any points within this state and to connect at the state line with railroads of other states. Every railroad shall have the right with its road to intersect, connect with or cross any other railroad, and all railroads shall receive and transport each other's passengers, and tonnage and cars, loaded or empty, without delay or discrimination.

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Article 10, Section 12 Discrimination by railroads and telegraph lines forbidden.

Railroad and telegraph lines heretofore constructed or that may hereafter be constructed in this state are hereby declared public highways and common carriers, and as such must be made by law to extend the same equality and impartiality to all who use them, excepting employees and their families and ministers of the gospel, whether individuals or corporations.

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Article 10, Section 13 Railroads to make annual reports to state auditor.

Every railroad corporation or association operating a line of railroad within this state shall annually make a report to the auditor of state of its business within this state, in such form as the legislature may prescribe.

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Article 10, Section 14 Eminent domain.

Exercise of the power and right of eminent domain shall never be so construed or abridged as to prevent the taking by the legislature of property and franchises of incorporated companies and subjecting them to public use the same as property of individuals.

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Article 10, Section 15 Aid to railroads and telegraph lines prohibited.

Neither the state, nor any county, township, school district or municipality shall loan or give its credit or make donations to or in aid of any railroad or telegraph line; provided, that this section shall not apply to obligations of any county, city, township or school district, contracted prior to the adoption of this constitution.

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Article 10, Section 16 Acceptance of constitution by existing railroad, transportation and telegraph companies.

No railroad or other transportation company or telegraph company in existence upon the adoption of this constitution shall derive the benefit of any future legislation without first filing in the office of the secretary of state an acceptance of the provisions of this constitution.

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Article 10, Section 17 Rights of telegraph companies.

Any association, corporation or lessee of the franchises thereof organized for the purpose shall have the right to construct and maintain lines of telegraph within this state, and to connect the same with other lines.

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Article 10, Section 18 Foreign railroad or telegraph company must have agent for service of process.

No foreign railroad or telegraph line shall do any business within this state without having an agent or agents within each county through which such railroad or telegraph line shall be constructed upon whom process may be served.

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Article 10, Section 19 Location of depots.

No railroad company shall construct or operate a railroad within four (4) miles of any existing town or city without providing a suitable depot or stopping place at the nearest practicable point for the convenience of said town or city, and stopping all trains doing local business at said stopping place. No railroad company shall deviate from the most direct practicable line in constructing a railroad for the purpose of avoiding the provisions of this section.

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Article 11, Section 1 State boundaries.

The boundaries of the State of Wyoming shall be as follows: Commencing at the intersection of the twenty-seventh meridian of longitude west from Washington with the forty-fifth degree of north latitude, and running thence west to the thirty-fourth meridian of west longitude, thence south to the forty-first degree of north latitude, thence east to the twenty-seventh meridian of west longitude, and thence north to the place of beginning.

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Article 12, Section 1 Existing counties remain such.

The several counties in the Territory of Wyoming as they shall exist at the time of the admission of said territory as a state, are hereby declared to be counties of the State of Wyoming.

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Article 12, Section 2 Organization of new counties.

The legislature shall provide by general law for organizing new counties, locating the county seats thereof temporarily and changing county lines. But no new county shall be formed unless it shall contain within the limits thereof property of the valuation of two million dollars, as shown by last preceding tax returns, and not then unless the remaining portion of the old county or counties shall each contain property of at least three million dollars of assessable valuation; and no new county shall be organized nor shall any organized county be so reduced as to contain a population of less than one thousand five hundred bona fide inhabitants, and in case any portion of an organized county or counties is stricken off to form a new county, the new county shall assume and be holden for an equitable proportion of the indebtedness of the county or counties so reduced. No county shall be divided unless a majority of the qualified electors of the territory proposed to be cut off voting on the proposition shall vote in favor of the division.

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Article 12, Section 3 Changing county seats.

The legislature shall provide by general law for changing county seats in organized counties, but it shall have no power to remove the county seat of any organized county.

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Article 12, Section 4 Township organization.

The legislature shall provide by general law for a system of township organization and government, which may be adopted by any county whenever a majority of the citizens thereof voting at a general election shall so determine.

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Article 12, Section 5 County officers.

The legislature shall provide by law for the election of such county officers as may be necessary.

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Article 13, Section 1 Incorporation; alteration of

boundaries; merger; consolidation; dissolution; determination of local affairs; classification; referendum; liberal construction. (a) The legislature shall provide by general law, applicable to all cities and towns, (i) For the incorporation of cities, (ii) For the methods by which city and town boundaries may be altered, and (iii) For the procedures by which cities and towns may be merged, consolidated or dissolved; provided that existing laws on such subjects and laws pertaining to civil service, retirement, collective bargaining, the levying of taxes, excises, fees, or any other charges, whether or not applicable to all cities and towns on the effective date of this amendment, shall remain in effect until superseded by general law and such existing laws shall not be subject to charter ordinance. (b) All cities and towns are hereby empowered to determine their local affairs and government as established by ordinance passed by the governing body, subject to referendum when prescribed by the legislature, and further subject only to statutes uniformly applicable to all cities and towns, and to statutes prescribing limits of indebtedness. The levying of taxes, excises, fees, or any other charges shall be prescribed by the legislature. The legislature may not establish more than four (4) classes of cities and towns. Each city and town shall be governed by all other statutes, except as it may exempt itself by charter ordinance as hereinafter provided. (c) Each city or town may elect that the whole or any part of any statute, other than statutes uniformly applicable to all cities and towns and statutes prescribing limits of indebtedness, may not apply to such city or town. This exemption shall be by charter ordinance passed by a two-thirds (2/3) vote of all members elected to the governing body of the city or town. Each such charter ordinance shall be titled and may provide that the whole or any part of any statute, which would otherwise apply to such city or town as specifically designated in the ordinance shall not apply to such city or town. Such ordinance may provide other provisions on the same subject. Every charter ordinance shall be published once each week for two consecutive weeks in the official city or town newspaper, if any, otherwise in a newspaper of general circulation in the city or town. No charter ordinance shall take effect until the sixtieth (60th) day after its final publication. If prior thereto, a petition, signed by a number of qualified electors of the city or town, equaling at least ten per cent (10%) of the number of votes cast at the last general municipal election, shall be filed in the office of the clerk of such city or town, demanding that such ordinance be submitted to referendum, then the ordinance shall not take effect unless approved by a majority of the electors voting thereon. Such referendum election shall be called within thirty (30) days and held within ninety (90) days after the petition is filed. An ordinance establishing procedures, and fixing the date of such election shall be passed by the governing body and published once each week for three (3) consecutive weeks in the official city or town newspaper, if any, otherwise in a newspaper of general circulation in the city or town. The question on the ballot shall be: "Shall Charter Ordinance No. .... Entitled (stating the title of the ordinance) take effect?". The governing body may submit, without a petition, any charter ordinance to referendum election under the procedures as previously set out. The charter ordinance shall take effect if approved by a majority of the electors voting thereon. An approved charter ordinance, after becoming effective, shall be recorded by the clerk in a book maintained for that purpose with a certificate of the procedures of adoption. A certified copy of the ordinance shall be filed with the secretary of state, who shall keep an index of such ordinances. Each charter ordinance enacted shall prevail over any prior act of the governing body of the city or town, and may be repealed or amended only by subsequent charter ordinance, or by enactments of the legislature applicable to all cities and towns. (d) The powers and authority granted to cities and towns, pursuant to this section, shall be liberally construed for the purpose of giving the largest measure of self-government to cities and towns.

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Article 13, Section 2 Consent of electors necessary.

No municipal corporation shall be organized without the consent of the majority of the electors residing within the district proposed to be so incorporated, such consent to be ascertained in the manner and under such regulations as may be prescribed by law.

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Article 13, Section 3 Restriction on powers to levy taxes and contract debts.

The legislature shall restrict the powers of such corporations to levy taxes and assessments, to borrow money and contract debts so as to prevent the abuse of such power, and no tax or assessment shall be levied or collected or debts contracted by municipal corporations except in pursuance of law for public purposes specified by law.

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Article 13, Section 4 Franchises.

No street passenger railway, telegraph, telephone or electric light line shall be constructed within the limits of any municipal organization without the consent of its local authorities.

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Article 13, Section 5 Acquisition of water rights.

Municipal corporations shall have the same right as individuals to acquire rights by prior appropriation and otherwise to the use of water for domestic and municipal purposes, and the legislature shall provide by law for the exercise upon the part of incorporated cities, towns and villages of the right of eminent domain for the purpose of acquiring from prior appropriators upon the payment of just compensation, such water as may be necessary for the well being thereof and for domestic uses.

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Article 14, Section 1 Stated salaries to be paid.

All state, city, county, town and school officers, (excepting justices of the peace and constables in precincts having less than fifteen hundred population, and excepting court commissioners, boards of arbitration and notaries public) shall be paid fixed and definite salaries. The legislature shall, from time to time, fix the amount of such salaries as are not already fixed by this constitution, which shall in all cases be in proportion to the value of the services rendered and the duty performed.

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Article 14, Section 2 Fees.

The legislature shall provide by law the fees which may be demanded by justices of the peace and constables in precincts having less than fifteen hundred population, and of court commissioners, boards of arbitration and notaries public, which fees the said officers shall accept as their full compensation. But all other state, county, city, town and school officers shall be required by law to keep a true and correct account of all fees collected by them, and to pay the same into the proper treasury when collected, and the officer whose duty it is to collect such fees shall be held responsible, under his bond, for neglect to collect the same.

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Article 14, Section 3 Legislature to designate county offices and fix salaries of county officers.

The legislature shall by law designate county offices and shall, from time to time, fix the salaries of county officers, which shall in all cases be in proportion to the value of the services rendered and the duties performed.

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Article 14, Section 4 Deputies.

The legislature shall provide by general law for such deputies as the public necessities may require, and shall fix their compensation.

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Article 14, Section 5 Who are county officers referred to by section 3.

Any county officers performing the duties usually performed by the officers named in this article shall be considered as referred to by section 3 of this article, regardless of the title by which their offices may hereafter be designated.

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Article 14, Section 6 Consolidation of offices.

Whenever practicable the legislature may, and whenever the same can be done without detriment to the public service, shall consolidate offices in state, county and municipalities respectively, and whenever so consolidated, the duties of such additional office shall be performed under an ex officio title.

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Article 15, Section 1 Assessment of lands and improvements thereon.

All lands and improvements thereon shall be listed for assessment, valued for taxation and assessed separately.

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Article 15, Section 2 Assessment of coal lands.

All coal lands in the state from which coal is not being mined shall be listed for assessment, valued for taxation and assessed according to value.

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Article 15, Section 3 Taxation of mines and mining claims.

All mines and mining claims from which gold, silver and other precious metals, soda, saline, coal, mineral oil or other valuable deposit, is or may be produced shall be taxed in addition to the surface improvements, and in lieu of taxes on the lands, on the gross product thereof, as may be prescribed by law; provided, that the product of all mines shall be taxed in proportion to the value thereof.

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Article 15, Section 4 State levy limited.

For state revenue, there shall be levied annually a tax not to exceed four mills on the dollar of the assessed valuation of the property in the state except for the support of state educational and charitable institutions, the payment of the state debt and the interest thereon.

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Article 15, Section 5 County levies limited.

For county revenue, there shall be levied annually a tax not to exceed twelve mills on the dollar for all purposes including general school tax, exclusive of state revenue, except for the payment of its public debt and the interest thereon.

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Article 15, Section 6 City levies limited.

No incorporated city or town shall levy a tax to exceed eight mills on the dollar in any one year, except for the payment of its public debt and the interest thereon.

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Article 15, Section 7 Depositories for public moneys.

All money belonging to the state or to any county, city, town, village or other subdivision therein, except as herein otherwise provided, shall, whenever practicable, be deposited in a national bank or banks or in a bank or banks incorporated under the laws of this state; provided, that the bank or banks in which such money is deposited shall furnish security to be approved as provided by law; and provided further, that such bank or banks shall pay the same rate of interest on any money so deposited therein on time certificates of deposit by the legal custodian or custodians of any such public moneys as such bank or banks pay on time certificates of deposit of private depositors, and the custodian or custodians of any such public moneys shall be authorized to deposit same under time certificates of deposit as may be provided by law. Such interest shall accrue to the fund from which it is derived.

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Article 15, Section 8 Profit making from public funds prohibited.

The making of profit, directly or indirectly, out of state, county, city, town or school district money or other public fund, or using the same for any purpose not authorized by law, by any public officer, shall be deemed a felony, and shall be punished as provided by law.

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Article 15, Section 9 Legislature to provide for state board of equalization.

The legislature shall provide by law for a state board of equalization.

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Article 15, Section 10 Duties of state board of equalization.

The duties of the state board shall be to equalize the valuation on all property in the several counties and such other duties as may be prescribed by law.

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Article 15, Section 11 Uniformity of assessment required.

(a) All property, except as in this constitution otherwise provided, shall be uniformly valued at its full value as defined by the legislature, in four (4) classes as follows: (i) Gross production of minerals and mine products in lieu of taxes on the land where produced; (ii) Property used for industrial purposes as defined by the legislature; (iii) Residential real property; and (iv) All other property, real and personal. (b) The legislature shall prescribe the percentage of value which shall be assessed within each designated class. All taxable property shall be valued at its full value as defined by the legislature except agricultural and grazing lands which shall be valued according to the capability of the land to produce agricultural products under normal conditions. The percentage of value prescribed for industrial property shall not be more than forty percent (40%) higher nor more than four (4) percentage points more than the percentage prescribed for residential real property or more than forty percent (40%) higher nor more than four (4) percentage points more than the percentage prescribed for all other property other than minerals. (c) Except as provided in this subsection the legislature shall not create new classes or subclasses or authorize any property to be assessed at a rate other than the rates set for authorized classes. The legislature may create a subclass of residential real property for owner occupied primary residences. (d) All taxation shall be equal and uniform within each class and subclass of property. The legislature shall prescribe such regulations as shall secure a just valuation for taxation of all property, real and personal.

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