§ 8-102. Initiative and referendum.
A. Application. A person or organization intending to file a petition for initiative or referendum shall, before receiving said petition forms, file with the Office an application provided by the Office. The application shall also bear the signatures of one hundred (100) qualified voters. Applications must also meet the requirements set forth by Section 8-105 of this Title.
B. Application Certification. Upon receipt of the application, the Office shall:
1. Consult with the Attorney General to determine that the matter to be referred or initiated is not in conflict with the Constitution.
2. Certify the application with the consent of the Attorney General, or his or her designee.
3. Shall within five business days authorize circulation of an initiative or referendum petition by the sponsor or sponsors.
4. Denial of certification shall be subject to judicial review.
C. Signature Requirements and Time Limitations. The circulated petitions must be filed within ninety (90) calendar days of delivery of the petitions to the sponsors, or the petition shall be void. If signed by qualified voters who are equal in number to at least fifteen (15) percent of the electorate the petition may be filed. Petitions must also meet the requirements set forth by Section 8-105 of this Title.
D. Certification of Petition. The Office shall undertake reasonable and prudent measures to determine the validity of the signatures on any filed petition. If the Office finds the petition in proper form with the necessary number of valid signatures, he or she shall certify the petition and the Osage Nation Attorney General, or his or her designee, shall prepare a ballot title and proposition summarizing the proposed law or act to be referred.
E. Election. The proposed law or referral of existing law shall be placed on the ballot for the first election held after adjournment of the legislative session following the filing.
F. Legislative Referendum. Pursuant to Article VI, Section 24 of the Constitution, the Osage Nation Congress, in session, may voluntarily refer proposed measures to the Osage people for final approval or rejection. The veto power of the Principal Chief shall not extend to measures voted on by the Osage people. ONCA 17-107, eff. Oct. 4, 2017.