Bill > SB5973

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 an initiative measure to gather at least 1,000 signatures from registered voters before officially filing the proposed measure with the Secretary of State, ensuring a baseline level of public support before the measure proceeds through the drafting and ballot title process; and second, it prohibits paying individuals who gather signatures for initiative or referendum petitions based on the number of signatures they collect, a practice that has historically been linked to fraud and errors, and allows citizens to bring legal action against entities that violate this compensation rule, with potential civil penalties of up to $10,000 per violation.