State constitutional amendments on the Oct. 14 ballot

Here are the Secretary of State's Office summaries of constitutional amendments on the Oct. 14 ballot:

1. Do you support an amendment to prohibit the use of funds, goods or services from a foreign government or a nongovernmental source to conduct elections and election functions and duties unless the use is authorized by the secretary of state through policies established in accordance with law? (Adds Article XI, Section 6) Act 200 (2023 Regular Session)

This proposed constitutional amendment would prohibit funds, goods, or services from a foreign government or nongovernmental source from being used in elections unless authorized by the secretary of state in accordance with state law.

2. Do you support an amendment to provide that the freedom of worship in a church or other place of worship is a fundamental right that is worthy of the highest order of protection? (Adds Const. Article XII, Section 17) Act 30 (2023 Regular Session)

This proposed constitutional amendment would establish that the freedom of worship in a church (or other place of worship) is a fundamental right. In the event state or local government action is alleged to have violated the freedom of worship, this right will receive the highest order of protection by courts.

3. Do you support an amendment to require that a minimum of twenty-five percent of any money designated as nonrecurring state revenue be applied toward the balance of the unfunded accrued liability of the state retirement systems? (Amends Article VII, Section 10(D)(2)(b)(ii) and (iii)) Act 107 (2023 Regular Session)

The state’s budget includes revenues classified as recurring or nonrecurring. Nonrecurring revenues are limited by the constitution in how they may be spent. Currently, the state is required to appropriate at least 10% of nonrecurring revenues each year toward the unfunded accrued liability of the state public retirement systems. This proposed constitutional amendment would increase the minimum required contribution of nonrecurring revenues to the state public retirement systems from 10% to 25%.
The amendment also prohibits any such payments from being used to fund cost-of-living increases.

4. Do you support an amendment to deny a property tax exemption to a nonprofit corporation or association that owns residential property in such a state of disrepair that it endangers public health or safety? (Amends Article VII, Section 21(B)) Act 48 (2023 Regular Session)

The constitution provides for an exclusive list of those properties that, in addition to the homestead exemption, are exempt from ad valorem taxes. One such exemption is for nonprofit corporations or associations that operate for one of the following purposes: religious, dedicated places of burial, charitable, health and welfare, fraternal, or educational purposes. This proposed constitutional amendment would provide that those properties of a nonprofit corporation or association that would otherwise qualify for an ad valorem tax exemption are no longer to receive such an exemption if the governing authority of the parish or municipality determines one of the following:

1. The property is leased as housing, is in a state of disrepair, and is a danger to the health or safety of the public.

2. The owner of the property has received at least 3 code enforcement violations concerning health and safety in the previous twelve month period.