Over the objection of Democrats, unions, civil rights and environmental groups, a House panel has endorsed a proposal to limit the scope of citizen initiatives.

The Public Integrity and Elections Committee voted 11-5 on January 18 to approve HJR 1127 by Rep. Mike Beltran, R-Valrico. A companion, SJR 1412 by Sen. Jason Brodeur, R-Lake Mary, has yet to be heard.

The proposed ballot measure would add a phrase to Article 3, Section XI of the Florida Constitution that would limit citizen initiatives to addressing only “procedural matters” or “the structure of government.”