Bill > HB1221

This bill amends Arkansas law regarding initiative and referendum petitions by introducing several key changes to the process of gathering and validating signatures. Specifically, the bill establishes that signatures collected for an initiative or referendum petition will only be valid until the date of the next general election following the certification of the ballot title and popular name. The bill adds provisions that invalidate signatures obtained after this specified time period and require that the certification of a ballot title and popular name expire on the date of the next general election. Additionally, the bill expands the list of reasons signatures can be disqualified, including signatures that are not original, are illegible, lack proper identifying information, or were obtained before the ballot title's approval. The bill includes a severability clause to ensure that if any part of the act is found invalid, the rest of the act remains in effect. Furthermore, the bill includes an emergency clause, arguing that these changes are crucial to maintaining the integrity of the initiative process and preserving public trust in government. The emergency provisions allow the act to take effect immediately upon gubernatorial approval, the expiration of the Governor's review period, or the override of a potential veto.

Government Affairs

https://arkleg.state.ar.us/Bills/Detail?id=hb1221&ddBienniumSession=2025%2F2025R