summary
Introduced
03/03/2025
03/03/2025
In Committee
Crossed Over
Passed
Dead
Introduced Session
2025-2026 Regular Session
Bill Summary
AN ACT To amend Chapter 2 of Title 21 of the Official Code of Georgia Annotated, relating to primaries and elections generally, so as to enact the Representative Democracy Enforcement Act; to provide procedures related to direct initiative petition and referendum statutory changes and direct initiative of the people constitutional amendments; to provide a short title; to provide for constitutional authorization; to provide definitions; to provide for minimum formatting requirements of direct initiative and referendum petition forms; to establish the Direct and Initiative Referendum Committee; to provide for membership and duties relating to approving direct initiative and referendum petitions as to form; to provide requirements for fiscal notes on certain petitions; to authorize the Secretary of State to review direct initiative petitions as to form and approve or reject the same; to provide for cure and appeal procedures from decisions of the secretary; to provide for finalization of direct initiative and referendum petitions and filing fees; to provide timelines and procedures for the circulation of direct initiative and referendum petitions for signature; to provide for notice and public hearings regarding direct initiative and referendum petitions; to provide for the secretary to determine petitioner eligibility and tally signatures on direct initiative and referendum petitions; to provide for cure and appeal procedures regarding the same; to provide criminal penalties for impeding the petitioner eligibility determination process or signature tallying process or the intimidation or attempted intimidation of persons involved in said processes; to provide for certifying petitions and placing ballot questions on the ballot; to provide that direct initiative petitions petition sponsors shall be considered campaign committees pursuant to Chapter 5 of Title 21 of the Official Code of Georgia Annotated; to prohibit the use of public funds in advocating for or against direct initiative and referendum petitions; to authorize rule making; to provide for related matters; to provide for a contingent effective date and automatic repeal; to repeal conflicting laws; and for other purposes.
AI Summary
This bill establishes a comprehensive framework for direct initiative and referendum processes in Georgia, creating detailed procedures for citizens to propose and potentially enact statutory changes or constitutional amendments. The bill creates a Direct Initiative and Referendum Committee composed of legislators who will initially review proposed petitions for form and content, and establishes the Secretary of State's role in managing the petition process. Key provisions include requiring petitions to contain specific information like the full text of proposed changes, a summary, and space for voter signatures, mandating that circulators be registered Georgia voters who personally witness signature collection, and implementing a rigorous verification process for petition signatures. The bill sets a one-year timeframe for collecting signatures, requires public hearings in each congressional district once signature collection reaches 50%, and provides mechanisms for the Secretary of State to validate petitions and place approved initiatives on the ballot during the next general election. To ensure transparency and prevent potential misconduct, the bill includes criminal penalties for impeding the verification process, prohibits using public funds to advocate for or against initiatives, and requires petition sponsors to be treated as campaign committees subject to reporting requirements. The act is contingent on a constitutional amendment and is set to become effective on January 1, 2027, with an automatic repeal if the supporting constitutional amendment is not ratified.
Committee Categories
Government Affairs
Sponsors (5)
Last Action
House Second Readers (on 03/06/2025)
Official Document
bill text
bill summary
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bill summary
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bill summary
| Document Type | Source Location |
|---|---|
| State Bill Page | https://www.legis.ga.gov/legislation/71069 |
| BillText | https://www.legis.ga.gov/api/legislation/document/20252026/234781 |
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