Bill > HB551

This bill modifies provisions related to initiative petitions and referendums in Missouri, introducing several significant changes to the process of proposing and validating ballot measures. The bill establishes more stringent requirements for petition circulators, including mandating that they be U.S. citizens, at least 18 years old, residents of Missouri (or physically present in the state for 30 consecutive days), and registered with the secretary of state. It also prohibits paying circulators based on the number of signatures collected. The bill adds new provisions to protect the confidentiality of petition documents, making them closed records unless a Missouri resident petitions the court for review. It clarifies and expands restrictions on initiative petition content, preventing measures that attempt to nullify federal laws or constitutional provisions. The legislation also strengthens penalties for petition signature fraud, making it a class A misdemeanor with potential imprisonment up to one year and fines up to $10,000. Additionally, the bill modifies procedural requirements for petition submission, signature verification, and legal challenges, including stricter timelines for court actions and more precise rules about signature gathering and validation. These changes aim to increase the integrity and transparency of the initiative and referendum process in Missouri.

Government Affairs

https://house.mo.gov/Bill.aspx?bill=HB551&year=2025&code=R