What is it called when the state representatives can change a law without the voters voting on it?

our government is in the form of a republic which means virtually all laws are ped by lawmakers and not specifically voted on by voters. some laws are presented as referendum votes, like the prop 81 and such, where the voters get to vote on it and the results of that vote determine the course of action. But even the laws that govern the referendum, and the existence of it in the first place, is approved by the state representatives. So, if you wanted to repeal it, you would need to go elect some people and have the state congress change the law.