Amendments to Grand Lodge Constitutions or Codes
The information on this chart comes from various sources. If anyone has definite information for additions or changes on this chart, please send email to Paul M. Bessel at paulb’at’bessel.org so I can update this chart.
United States
| State | Procedures to Amend Grand Lodge Constitution or Code |
|---|---|
| Alabama | The Grand Lodge of Alabama has one set of rules to amend its Edicts and another to amend its Constitution. 33.1. AMENDMENTS Every proposition to revise or repeal an existing Edict or to add a new Edict shall be submitted in writing to the Grand Secretary at least sixty days before the Annual Communication of the Grand Lodge at which time it is to be presented, and if certified by the Jurisprudence Committee as being in proper form, a copy of the proposal shall be sent to all Past Grand Masters, Officers of the Grand Lodge and to the Worshipful Master of each subordinate Lodge at least thirty days before the Annual Communication. It shall then be distinctly read at the Annual Communication of the Grand Lodge when, if approved by a majority vote, it will be effective. No other proposition to revise or repeal an existing Edict or to add a new Edict shall be received by the Grand Lodge for its action without the foregoing provisions being complied with, except the Grand Lodge may by two-thirds vote of the members present agree to waive the requirements of previous notice to the Grand Secretary and the Lodges. [amended 1998] PROPOSITIONS TO AMEND Every proposition to revise, alter or amend this Constitution shall be submitted in writing to the Grand Secretary at least sixty days before the Annual Communication of the Grand Lodge at which time it is to be presented, and if certified by the Jurisprudence Committee as being in proper form, a copy of the proposal shall be sent to all Past Grand Masters, Officers of the Grand Lodge and to the Worshipful Master of each subordinate Lodge at least thirty days before the Annual Communication. It shall then be distinctly read and if approved by one third of the members of the Grand Lodge present, shall be entered upon the minutes and be thereafter submitted to the several chartered subordinate Lodges for their approval or rejection; and if two thirds of the chartered subordinate Lodges approve thereof by certificate over their respective seals, to the next succeeding Grand Lodge, the Grand Master shall so declare it, and from thenceforth it shall be considered a part and parcel of this Constitution. No other proposition to alter, revise or amend this Constitution shall be received by the Grand Lodge for its action without the foregoing provisions being complied with, except the Grand Lodge may by two thirds vote of the members present agree to waive the requirements of previous notice to the Grand Secretary and the Lodges. |
| Alaska | |
| Arizona | Sec 169. Filed with Grand Secretary 90 days before Annual Communication – if unanimous consent proposed amendment can be considered at current Annual Communication – if five-sixths vote in favor a proposed amendment is adopted – if between majority and five-sixths, lies over for a year, and then requires two-thirds for adoption |
| Arkansas | |
| California | Constitution, Sec. 810, and Ordinances Sec. 34010 and 32020 – presented to Grand Secretary at least 180 days before Annual Communication, unless five-sixths agree to consideration without this notice – signed by 3 members of Grand Lodge, each a member of a different lodge – if five-sixths vote in favor, amendment is adopted – if between majority and five-sixths, lies over for one year, and then requires two-thirds for adoption |
| Colorado | |
| Connecticut | Constitution, Article X. No amendment shall be made to this constitution except at a regular communication of the Grand Lodge, and not until said amendment has been submitted in writing at a preceding regular communication of the Grand Lodge, and laid over for final approval, and then approved by two thirds of the members present and voting. Rules and Regulations, Section 8203. No part of these Rules and Regulations shall be repealed, altered, or amended, unless at the Regular Communication of the Grand Lodge, two-thirds of the members present shall vote in favor of such repeal or amendment. In actual practice, all changes are submitted throughout the year as they come up and are referred to the Committee on Jurisprudence, Rules and Regulations. Should an amendment be made from the floor at a Grand Lodge communication, it has been the practice of the Grand Masters to refer the proposed change to committee to be evaluated, worded correctly, etc. and then brought up at the next regular communication. Connecticut has 2 regular communications per year, in April & October. |
| Delaware | Chapter 27 – introduced at Semi-Annual for consideration at Annual Communication, or vice versa – two-thirds vote needed to adopt |
| District of Columbia | Sec. 129. Every proposition to amend this Constitution must be submitted in writing, at a Stated Communication, be signed by at least two members, and shall lie over until the next Stated Communication at which general business may be transacted, when it may be acted upon; and, if adopted by two-thirds of the votes cast, it shall become a part of this Constitution: Provided, however, that the Grand Master, after requesting and receiving a report from the Committee on Jurisprudence, may propose amendments to the Constitution for adoption at the next Stated or Special Communication called for the purpose provided that notice of such amendments is mailed to the members of Grand Lodge at least sixty (60) days prior to such Stated or Special Communication. No standing resolution shall have the effect of rescinding or altering any part of this Constitution; and all standing resolutions in conflict with this Constitution are hereby repealed. It is a well-established principle of all laws that no law can be retroactive unless specifically so stated. Standing Resolutions can be adopted, repealed, or amended at any meeting by majority vote |
| Florida | Article XI – majority vote at Annual Communication causes proposed amendment to lay over to next Annual Communication, where a two-thirds vote is needed to adopt it |
| Georgia | Constitution Sec. 1-701 – two-thirds vote needed to lie over to next Communication, and if it then receives two-thirds vote it is adopted Masonic Code Sec. 3-113 – majority needed to adopt amendments |
| Hawaii | |
| Idaho | |
| Illinois | |
| Indiana | |
| Iowa | Constitution Sec. 35 – two thirds to lie over to next Communication, and then two-thirds can adopt amendment General Law Sec. 37 – filed by July 15 – apparently a majority is required (but I’m not sure of this)The Constitution of the Grand Lodge says the following in Article IX of the Constitution: This Constitution may be revised, amended, or altered in the following manner: a. Submitting in Writing. The proposal to revise, amend, or alter shall be in writing and shall be submitted at a regular communication on the first day thereof. b. Referred to the Committee. The proposal shall then be referred to the Committee on Masonic Jurisprudence, which shall report its findings and recommendations during the afternoon of the first day of the communication. c. Considered by Grand Lodge. The proposal and report shall lie over until the following day and then be submitted to the Grand Lodge for its consideration. d. Vote and Action Required. A vote shall then be taken and, if the proposal be approved by a two-thirds majority, it shall lie over to the next regular communication and, if again approved by a two-thirds majority, the Constitution shall be so revised, amended, or altered.Regarding the General Law – Chapter 17, Section 3, Laws for Subordinate Lodges: “Section 3. PROCEDURE. a. Filing by July 15. Every resolution for amendment of the General Laws shall be filed in the office of the Grand Secretary not later than July 15 prior to the convening of the regular communication of the Grand Lodge at which it is proposed that the resolution will be acted upon. However, a proposal for amendment sponsored by the Committee on Masonic Jurisprudence may be filed with the Grand Secretary at any time during the first day of the regular communication of the Grand Lodge. When so filed with and presented by the Grand Secretary to the Grand Lodge, it shall constitute the report of said committee recommending its adoption. |
| Kansas | Constitution Sec. 7 – submitted by Jan. 15 – if approved for form by Jurisprudence Committee, and by Grand Master and Council of Administration, printed – two-thirds needed to go to discussion at Area meetings – at following Annual communication if two-thirds sustain, proposal become law |
| Kentucky | Constitution Sec. 217 – proposed by lodge – must be received by Aug. 15 – remain one “vacation” for consideration by lodges – then adopted by two-thirds |
| Louisiana | |
| Maine | |
| Maryland | |
| Massachusetts | |
| Michigan | Sec. 3-13. Constitution – submitted in writing – must be seconded by a majority – copies to each lodge for approval or rejection – if a majority of lodges approve, and then a majority of delegates at the Grand Lodge Annual Communication, Grand Master shall declare it a part of the Constitution. Regulations, Bylaws, Penal Code – filed with Grand Secretary 120 days before Annual Communication – notice sent at least 60 days prior – if Jurisprudence Committee reports affirmatively, and carried by 2/3 of Grand Lodge, it shall be declared adopted. |
| Minnesota | Section C10.01 This Constitution may be amended by a resolution presented in writing at any Annual Communication of the Grand Lodge, approved by a two-thirds (2/3) vote, published with the proceedings of that communication and then adopted by a two-thirds (2/3) vote at the next Annual Communication of the Grand Lodge. |
| Mississippi | |
| Missouri | Article 35 – two-thirds for proposed that does not amend or repeat any previous provision – amendments to existing Bylaws must lie over until next annual communication, and can be adopted by majority vote |
| Montana | Constitution Arc. XVIII – majority vote needed to refer to Jurisprudence Committee, which reports at next communication – three-fourths needed to adopt Statutes, Rules of Order, Standing Resolutions – two-thirds vote needed to adopt, at any communication |
| Nebraska | Constitution Art. XIII – signed by 5 members – submitted at annual communication – then submitted to lodges – if a majority of the lodges approve, at the next annual communication the Grand Master puts the question to Grand Lodge – majority needed to adopt Bylaws Sec. 1-502 – signed by 5 members – lie over to next Regular communication (unless unanimous consent is given to vote at that communication, or proposal made by Grand Master) – two-thirds needed to adopt |
| Nevada | |
| New Hampshire | |
| New Jersey | |
| New Mexico | In NM there are 3 ways to change the Code. First, a Grand Master can bring legislation to the floor by way of a Recommendation. Second, Constituent Lodges (3) collectively may bring legislation to the floor. And third, the Jurisprudence Committee may also bring in legislation for consideration. Our law has two parts, Constitution (1), and By-Laws (2). Changes to the Constitution must be read at one annual communication and voted on at the next. Changes to the By-laws can be done at the same communication presented if they were received in a timely manner (by Jan. 1st) and distributed to the Lodges for their consideration. The Jurisprudence Committee can submit changes by motion on the floor without prior notice to the Lodges. Article V Powers of the Grand Lodge Section 2 Alteration of Constitution Any alteration or addition to this Constitution shall be proposed in writing at an Annual Communication, seconded by not less than three Lodges. It shall lie over until the next Annual Communication and be published with the proceedings, when, if adopted by two-thirds of the votes present, the same shall become a part of this Constitution. Chapter X – Change of Bylaws Code 90: How changed (a) Any proposed amendment or addition to these By-Laws shall be submitted in writing together with the written approval of not less than three (3) Lodges, to the office of the Grand Secretary on or before January 1st next preceding the Annual Communication. The Grand Secretary shall prepare sufficient copies of the proposed amendment or addition and mail the same to each constituent Lodge with copies of the Grand Master’s proposed recommendations. 1994 (b) All proposed amendments or additions shall be presented by the Grand Secretary on the morning of the first day of the Annual Communication, referred to the proper committee, read again in full on the second day and shall become part of these By-Laws if adopted by two-thirds of the votes present at such Communication. 1989 (c) Any proposed amendment or addition which is not submitted as provided in sub-paragraph (a) may be submitted in writing at the Annual Communication, with the approval of not less than three (3) Lodges and shall be held over until the next Annual Communication. It shall then be considered and disposed of as provided herein, provided, that amendments or additions proposed by the Committee on Jurisprudence shall be acted upon whenever submitted during an Annual Communication, and except when a Lodge vote is allowed, two-thirds of votes present shall be sufficient to adopt such amendments or additions. |
| New York | |
| North Carolina | Sec. 10-1 Manner of Amendment Except when a general revision of THE CODE is ordered by the Grand Lodge, as provided in Section 10-2, or any part of this Constitution or any of the Regulations can be amended, repealed, revised or altered in the following manner: 1. A proposal to alter, amend, revise or repeal any part of the constitution, or any regulation, article, section, or subdivision, or any part of THE CODE, must be submitted to the Grand Lodge not later than noon of the second day of any annual communication, and the proposal shall take the course provided in this section. A. Such proposal shall be in writing, setting forth expressly, or clearly identifying, the matter intended to be affected, and in such form as to express the law as intended and it must be submitted either as a substitute, alteration, amendment, revision or repeal of the chapter regulation, article, section or subdivision of THE CODE which it is intended to affect, or as an addition thereto. B. Such proposal may be numbered or lettered as an additional chapter, regulation, article, section or subdivision of THE CODE. 2. Any such proposal shall be referred to the Committee on Masonic Jurisprudence which shall report thereon, with its recommendations, at the next annual communication of the Grand Lodge. A. By unanimous consent of the Grand Lodge, action on any such proposal may be taken at the same annual communication at which it is presented. B. The Grand Lodge shall not act, unanimously or otherwise, on any proposal at the same session of the annual communication at which it is received, if it is received later than noon of the second day of such annual communication at which it is received. 3. If the proposal is not acted upon by unanimous consent as provided in Section 10-1.2.A, it shall be published in the Proceedings of the Grand Lodge under the caption, PROPOSED AMENDMENTS TO THE CODE, and within six months prior to the next annual communication the Grand Secretary shall prepare and mail two copies of any such proposal to each subordinate lodge and one copy to each officer and member of the Grand Lodge. 4. If upon the report of the Committee on Masonic Jurisprudence, such proposal shall receive not less than two-thirds of the votes cast, the proposal shall be declared adopted; but it shall not take effect until low twelve, Eastern Standard Time, on July thirty-first following its adoption, unless otherwise provided by the Grand Lodge at the time of its adoption. 5. When an amendment to this Constitution or Regulation is under consideration, it may be amended if the proposed amendment is germane to the subject. 6. When this Constitution or Regulations becomes effective, all previous Constitutions, Regulations and enactments of this Grand Lodge which are inconsistent herewith are repealed but those on which it is silent, or those referring to matters not provided for by it, remain in force as provided in Section 7-4.1. 7. The repeal of existing laws shall not affect any act done, right accrued, offense committed, or proceedings commenced prior to the time when such repeal takes effect. |
| North Dakota | Constitution Art. VIII – filed by April 1 – adopted if approved by three-fourths vote, or if approved by a majority at two consecutive Annual Communications Bylaws Chapter VII – filed by April 1 (but three-fourths vote can waive this) – if majority vote in favor, referred to Bylaws Committee – adopted if approved by three-fourths or by majority at two consecutive Annual Communications |
| Ohio | Article XIII This Constitution may be altered or amended in the following manner only: The proposed alteration or amendment must be submitted in writing at an annual stated Communication of the Grand Lodge. If seconded by a majority of votes, it shall be entered upon the minutes and be submitted to the several Subordinate Lodges for their approval or rejection. If two-thirds of the Lodges, by a majority of the votes cast at the meeting at which the amendment is considered, approve thereof and so certify over their respective seals to the next succeeding annual Grand Lodge Communication, the Grand Master shall put the question upon its adoption. If concurred in by a vote of three-fourths of the members voting, it shall thenceforth be considered as a part and parcel of the Constitution. Bylaws (1) Masonic Jurisprudence. Shall investigate and report, with or without recommendation, upon all questions that may be referred to them by the Grand Lodge. The Jurisprudence Committee shall not be required to consider and report on any proposed amendment of the Constitution, Bylaws or Code unless the same shall have been filed with the Grand Secretary for transmittal to the Chairman of the Jurisprudence Committee, at least thirty (30) days prior to the Annual Communication of. the Grand Lodge at which the proposal will be considered. Sec. 11.10 Amendments to Code. (a) Recommendations of the Grand Master in his report, or of any Committee in its report involving additions to, alterations of, or changes in or interpretations of the Code, although accepted by the Grand Lodge, shall not be of effect or force as law merely by reason of such acceptance; but to render them legal enactments, they must be presented to and adopted by the Grand Lodge as provided by the Code. (b) The Grand Master in his report, or a Committee in its re- port, may present a draft of a proposed change in the law, but the action of the Grand Lodge in its enactment must be independent of its acceptance of the report and be in the manner prescribed in the Code. Sec. 11.11 Amendments to By-Laws. No By-Law shall be altered, amended or repealed until the proposed addition, alteration, amendment or nullification be (a) Sponsored by not less than five members of Grand Lodge. (b) Reduced to writing and filed with the Grand Secretary. (e) Entered upon the minutes of Grand Lodge. (d) Laid over until the next succeeding Annual Communication, when, if approved by two-thirds of the members present and voting, it shall be adopted; provided, however, that any proposition may be acted upon immediately if no more than four members of The Grand Lodge object. Chapter 35 Amendment to Code Sec. 35.01 How to Amend. This code may be altered or amended only in the following manner: The proposed alteration to the amendment must be (a) sponsored by not less than five members of The Grand Lodge; (b) reduced to writing and filed with the Grand Secretary; (c) entered upon the minutes of the Grand Lodge, and (d) laid over until the succeeding Annual Communication of The Grand Lodge, when, if approved by two-thirds of the members present and voting, it shall be adopted; provided, however, that any proposition may be acted upon immediately if no more than four members of the Grand Lodge object. |
| Oklahoma | |
| Oregon | |
| Pennsylvania | |
| Rhode Island | |
| South Carolina | |
| South Dakota | |
| Tennessee | |
| Texas | |
| Utah | |
| Vermont | |
| Virginia | Sec. 1.13. Determination of Questions. — All questions before the Grand Lodge shall be determined by a majority of votes cast. Sec. 1.16. Time for Entertaining Propositions, Resolutions and Motions in Grand Lodge. — No proposition or resolution for the amendment or repeal of an existing law or the enactment of any new law shall be entertained unless it shall have been submitted to the Grand Secretary in writing, with a brief explanation stating the reason(s) the resolution is necessary. Propositions or resolutions must be received by the Grand Secretary no later than the first day of January next preceding the Annual Communication of the Grand Lodge. Any proposition or resolution received which does not conform to the requirements of Section 1.17 shall be immediately returned to the submitter advising him the reason it is not acceptable. Propositions or resolutions may be submitted by any member of the Grand Lodge of Virginia, in good standing, as defined in Section 1.06. It shall thereafter be referred, to the Code Commission, unless the Grand Master shall direct otherwise. The proposed legislation shall be reviewed by the commission or committee to which it was referred, whose duty it shall be to check the language thereof and its possible conflicts with other sections of the Methodical Digest. The commission or committee shall thereafter certify it as to language and form and other necessary legislation in connection with it, to the Grand Secretary not later than July first next preceding the Annual Communication at which it will be considered. The Grand Secretary shall forward four copies of each such certified proposition or resolution showing the proposed change or changes in the form specified in Sec. 1.17 of the Methodical Digest, including the reason(s) it should be enacted, to every subordinate Lodge holden under the Grand Lodge by first class mail before the first day of September next preceding the Annual Communication of the Grand Lodge. Each such resolution shall include the name and Lodge number of the persons submitting it. Except with the unanimous consent of the Grand Lodge no alteration of or amendment to an existing law or the enactment of a new law shall be considered at the Annual Communication of the Grand Lodge at which it was introduced. All other propositions, resolutions or motions, including amendments and substitutes, except motions to adopt reports of committees or motions made during the election of officers shall be submitted in writing. The sponsor of all such propositions, resolutions, or motions shall arise, state his name, office and Lodge and audibly read or have it audibly read, leaving a signed copy thereof with the Grand Secretary. (1991) Decisions 1955 D-7, §-1.16, §-1.42 Section 32 (now 1.42) concerning right of the Grand Master to conduct and control the business of Grand Lodge is merely declaratory of the inherent powers of the Grand Master. The amendments to Section 27 (now 1.16) do not deprive the Grand Master of his power to entertain or refusing to entertain any motion, resolution or proposal presented to Grand Lodge. (H. Reid) Sec. 1.17. Amendment of the Digest. — No amendment of the Methodical Digest shall be made by mere reference to any paragraph or section, but the entire section proposed to be amended shall be repeated, with any part to be omitted stricken out, and any new language underlined or shown in bold type. All items enacted into law, regardless of method of enactment, shall be incorporated in the Methodical Digest. The text of the Grand Master’s decisions, to the extent still applicable, shall be incorporated into the Methodical Digest at the end of the section to which it refers but only at such times as the Methodical Digest is revised. (1984) |
| Washington | Sec. 12.06 Const. Amendments . 1. Presentation. Proposed amendments to the Constitution and By-Laws shall be presented as resolutions at an Annual Communication. All resolutions submitted to the Annual Communication for consideration must be submitted by a Constituent Lodge of this Jurisdiction or by a Grand Master’s recommendation. 4. Distribution. New proposals and those held over from the previous Annual Communication shall be distributed in full by the Grand Secretary to the lodges for reading and discussion in open Lodge at least sixty days in advance of the following Annual Communication. Sec. 12.07 B.L. Time Limit. All resolutions which if adopted would change the Constitution or By-Laws shall be delivered to the Grand Secretary or mailed to him under postmark not later than January 1 preceding each Annual Communication. Sec. 12.08 Const. Voting on Amendments. 1. A proposed amendment to the Constitution which receives a ninety percent vote shall be declared adopted and shall become a part of the Constitution at the close of that Annual Communication. If the vote is not ninety percent, but is an affirmative majority , the proposal shall be declared held over for one year and shall be published with the Proceedings under the caption of “Proposed Amendments to the Constitution.” At the succeeding Annual Communication, the proposed amendment shall be reported by the Committee on Unfinished Business and called by the Grand Master for action in advance of any new business. If it shall receive two-thirds of the votes cast thereon, it shall be declared adopted and shall become a part of the Constitution at the close of that Annual Communication; otherwise it shall be declared rejected. 3. A proposed amendment to the By-Laws which receives a three-fourths vote shall be declared adopted and shall become effective at the close of that Annual Communication. If the vote is not three-fourths affirmative, but is an affirmative majority, the proposal shall be declared held over for one year and shall be published with the Proceedings under the caption “Proposed Changes to the By-Laws”. At the succeeding Annual Communication, the proposed amendment shall be reported by the Committee on Unfinished Business and called by the Grand Master for action in advance of any new business. If it shall receive a majority of favorable votes, it shall be declared adopted and shall become effective at the close of that Annual Communication: otherwise it shall be declared rejected, |
| West Virginia | |
| Wisconsin | |
| Wyoming |
Other Groups, or Grand Lodges outside the United States
| National Sojourners | Proposals must be submitted in writing by November 1. Three-fourths vote needed to adopt. (Proposal in 2002 would change this to two-thirds. |