HB4115

THE CONTEXT: Currently, statute outlines that an initiative petition circulator must declare whether they are a paid or a volunteering circulator by checking the appropriate line on the petition prior to circulating the petition for signatures. Signatures obtained by a circulator who does not check the petition declaring they are a paid circulator or a volunteer are void and not counted.

WHAT THE BILL DID: The final vetoed version would require a paid circulator, on approaching a potential petition signer, to verbally disclose: a; the state in which the paid circulator legally resides; and b; that the circulator is a paid circulator, require a paid circulator to wear a badge that is clearly visible and displays the following information: a; that the circulator is a paid circulator; and b; the state in which the paid circulator legally resides, and strikes statewide from statute outlining the standard of review of initiative petitions to reflect expanded applicability to all initiative and referendum measures, including those limited to municipalities and counties.

WHY IT MATTERED: The practical reason for this bill was to turn the Legislature's standard for ballot measures into an enforceable rule. It would require a paid circulator, on approaching a potential petition signer, to verbally disclose: a. the state in which the paid circulator legally resides; and b. that the circulator is a paid circulator, and would also require a paid circulator to wear a badge that is clearly visible and displays the following information: a. that the circulator is a paid circulator; and b. the state in which the paid circulator legally resides, rather than leave the current rule unchanged.