Bill > HB2259

This bill aims to strengthen the integrity of the state's initiative and referendum process by introducing two main changes: first, it requires proponents of a proposed ballot measure to gather at least 1,000 signatures from registered voters *before* submitting the measure for official review and title assignment by the Secretary of State, ensuring a baseline level of public support for measures that proceed through the process; and second, it prohibits paying individuals who gather signatures for initiative or referendum petitions based on the number of signatures they collect, as this practice has been linked to fraud and errors in the past, and it authorizes citizens to file lawsuits with penalties of up to $10,000 per violation against sponsors or signature-gathering entities that violate this compensation rule.