Issues in relation to which referendums are optional at the national level

The House of Representatives can call a referendum to take place if it passes a bill that amends constitutional provisions specified in Sections 49.2 and 49.3 of the Constitution, but the same bill fails to pass the Senate. The Jamaica Independence Act of 1962, mentioned in 49.3, concerns national sovereignty/self-determination.

Constitution of Jamaica

(Adopted 1962, last amended 2011)

http://pdba.georgetown.edu/Constitutions/Jamaica/jam62.html

49.5: If a Bill for an Act of Parliamentwhich alters any of the provisions specified in subsection (2) of this sectionis passed by the House of Representatives –

1. twice in the same session in the manner prescribed by subsection (2) and paragraph (a) of subsection (4) of this section and having been sent to the Senate on the first occasion at least seven months before the end of the session and on the second occasion at least one month before the end of the session, is rejected the Senate on each occasion, or
2. in two successive sessions (whether of the same Parliament or not) in the manner prescribed by subsection (2) and paragraph (a) of subsection (4) of this section and, having been sent to the Senate in each of those sessions at least one month before the end of the session, the second occasion being at least six months after the first occasion is rejected by the Senate in each of those sessions,

that Bill may, not less than two nor more than sixmonths after its rejection by the Senate for the second time, be submitted tothe electors qualified to vote for the election of members of the House ofRepresentatives and, if ona vote taken in such manner as Parliament may prescribe, three-fifths of theelectors voting approve the Bill, the Bill may be presented to theGovernor-General for assent.

49.6: If a Bill for an Act ofParliament which alters any of the provisions specified in subsection (3) ofthis section is passed by the House of Representatives –

1. twice in the same session in the manner prescribed by subsection (3) and paragraph (a) of subsection (4) of this section and having been sent to the Senate on the first occasion at least seven months before the end of the session and on the second occasion at least one month before the end of the session, is rejected by the Senate on each occasion, or
2. in two successive sessions (whether of the same Parliament or not) in the manner prescribed by subsection (3) and paragraph (a) of subsection (4) of this section and, having been vent to the Senate in each of those sessions at least one month before the end of the session, the second occasion being at least six months after the first occasion, is rejected by the Senate in each of those sessions,

that Bill may, not less than two nor more than sixmonths after its rejection by the Senate for the second time, be submitted tothe electors qualified to vote for the election of members of the House ofRepresentatives and, if ona vote taken in such manner as Parliament may prescribe, two-thirds of theelectors voting approve the Bill, the Bill may be presented to theGovernor-General for assent.

49.7: For the purposes ofsubsection (5) and subsection (6) of this section a Bill shall be deemed to berejected by the Senate if –

1. it is not passed by the Senate in the manner prescribed by paragraph (a) of subsection (4) of this section within one month after it is sent to that House; or
2. it is passed by the Senate in the manner so prescribed with any amendment which is not agreed to by the House of Representatives.