Changes in 2013 to laws governing ballot measures

Laws governing ballot measures
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• Laws governing state initiative processes
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In 2013, a total of 207 laws were proposed in 37 states. A total of 31 were passed, 103 failed and 67 were carried over to 2014. This page lists changes and proposed changes in 2013 to laws governing the initiative and referendum process. Given the complexity of the initiative process, these laws can address a wide range of initiative-related law, including:

• The legal right of citizens to initiate statutes, amendments, or veto referendums.
• Signature and distribution requirements for placing measures on the ballot.
• Regulations governing signature collection and petition circulators.
• Campaign finance requirements for initiative, referendum, and recall campaigns.
• Administrative rules, involving filing deadlines, fiscal analyses, petition forms, etc...

Note: This list is based on the National Conference of State Legislatures I&R Legislation Database. This database is only periodically updated. For the status of a single bill, click the title to view its state bill status page.

Legend

= This legislation is still pending. = This legislation was carried over to the next session. a = This legislation was approved. d = This legislation was defeated or is dead.

Laws approved in 2013[edit]

1. Arizona HB 2305 (Repealed): Established the requirement for a political committee that files petitions with the secretary of state to organize and group the signature sheets and affords a heightened evidentiary standard for any challenger to the petition circulators if the political committee conducts an arm’s length background check on its circulators. HB 2305 was repealed in 2014 by HB 2196.^[1]
2. Arkansas HB 1187: Declared that it is unlawful for a public servant or a governmental body to expend or permit the expenditure of public funds to support or oppose a ballot measure.^[2]
3. Arkansas SB 1118: Created a new legislation regulation local alcohol option petitions and defining what is considered fraud for local option petitions.^[3]
4. Arkansas SB 426: Established the requirement of reporting expenditures made on behalf of a ballot measure committee by an advertising agency, public relations firm or political consultant.^[4]
5. otArkansas SB 821 (Act 1413): SB 821 was approved and signed into law, but was overturned on March 4, 2014, by Arkansas 6th Judicial Circuit Judge Mary McGowan. SB 821 was designed to make sweeping changes the initiative and referendum process.^[5][6]
6. Arkansas SB 822: Established the requirement that all ballot question committees must file a final financial report regardless of whether a ballot question committee, individual, public servant, or governmental body received contributions or made expenditures in excess of $500.^[7][8]
7. Arkansas SJR 16: Establish the requirement that ballot issue groups must collect at least 75% of the valid signatures required in order to receive additional time to gather extra signatures once the petition has been turned in to the secretary of state. Although this bill was approved in the legislature, it needed to be approved by the Arkansas voters in order to take effect. This measure was on the 2014 ballot as the Arkansas Ballot Measure Signature Requirements Amendment. It was approved.^[9]
8. California Assembly Bill 354: Requires the impartial analysis prepared for a local ballot measure to clearly indicate whether the measure was put on the ballot through a citizen petition drive or by the city council, county supervisors, district board of directors or the governing body of the relevant local jurisdiction.^[10][11]
9. California Senate Bill 213: Repeals the requirement that individuals be qualified to register to vote in the state to circulate petitions for statewide initiatives and referendums or be qualified to register to vote in a local jurisdiction to circulate petitions for local initiatives and referendums.^[12]
10. Florida HB 7013: Limited the word count on certain ballot summaries. It also revised sites and amount of time available for early voting.^[8][13]
11. Idaho SB 1108: Amended existing law relating to initiative and referendum elections to revise signature requirements. It also added geographic distribution requirements and revised provisions relating to the form of petitions to include legislative district on the signature sheet.^[14][15]
12. Idaho SB 1191: Amended petition format requirements, removed certain petition signature requirements, removed language from circulator oath and added certification that circulator believes signer has noted correct address.^[16][17]
13. Maine LD 1299: Amended campaign finance laws by detailing laws regarding ballot measure committees, campaign finance provisions, campaign materials, electronic filing disclosure, etc.^[18]
14. Minnesota Senate File 661: Established policy and technical changes to campaign finance and public disclosure modifications.^[19]
15. Missouri HB 117: Changed the laws regarding petition circulators and the duties of the Secretary of State regarding initiative and referendum petitions.^[20]
16. Nevada AB 35: Expanded the conditions which require campaign finances to be reported.^[21]
17. Nevada SB 325: Established the requirement that ballot summaries provide a concise and clear summary of any existing laws directly related to the measure and a summary of how the measure adds to, changes or repeals such existing laws.^[22]
18. New Hampshire SB 112: Established the requirement that any constitutional amendment concurrent resolutions to contain the language for the voter's guide.^[23]
19. North Carolina HB 248: Required disclosure on a ballot that authorization of indebtedness includes interest and that taxes may be levied to repay the indebtedness.^[24][25]
20. North Dakota HB 1372: Provided that upon submission of the petitions to the secretary of state, the petitions are considered filed and may not be returned to the sponsoring committee for the purpose of continuing the circulation process or resubmitting the petitions at a later time.^[8][26]
21. North Dakota HB 1402: Established the requirement that a petition signer's name be legibly printed on a petition, and includes zip code in the required information.^[8][27]
22. North Dakota HB 1451: Amended and reenacted sections of the North Dakota Century Code, relating to disclosure requirements for petition sponsors and the requirements for calling and the duties of a grand jury.^[8][28]
23. North Dakota HCR 3011: Established the requirement that initiated measures estimated to have a significant fiscal impact be placed on the general election ballot.^[8][29]
24. North Dakota HCR 3034: Amended the constitution to change the submission deadline for initiative petitions from 90 to 120 days before the election. Required voter approval in June of 2014 for enactment. It was approved.^[8][30]
25. North Dakota SB 2299: Related to campaign contribution statements required of initiated petition sponsoring committees; relates to campaign finance. It also related to campaign contribution statements required of political organizations.^[8][31]
26. Ohio SB 47: Made sweeping election law revisions.^[8][32]
27. Oregon SB 145: Removed liability of candidate's treasurer for default or violation that occurs in performance of certain duties.^[8][33][34]
28. Oregon SB 148: Removed liability of candidate's treasurer for default or violation that occurs in performance of certain duties.^[8][35]
29. Oregon SB 154: Established the requirement that any organization or entity that pays persons to obtain signatures on election petitions must register with Secretary of State.^[8][36]
30. Oregon SB 463: Established the requirement that the Oregon Criminal Justice Commission must create, upon written request of one member of Legislative Assembly from each major political party, racial and ethnic impact statement for proposed legislation or state measure.^[8][37]
31. Washington SB 5258: Provided that a political committee must list the names of its five largest contributors on broadcasted or written advertisements that support or oppose a ballot measure when the cumulative value of the advertisements is at least a specified amount. It exempted yard signs, and other forms of advertising where identification is impractical, such as campaign buttons, balloons, pens, pencils, skywriting and inscriptions.^[8][38]
32. Washington SB 5507: Increased transparency of donors to candidates and ballot measures.^[8][39]

Legislation by state[edit]

Alabama[edit]

The following bills were introduced in the Alabama State Legislature:

d HB 487: Amends the state constitution to provide for popular initiatives and that the legislature may offer alternative proposals.

d HB 95: Creates Fair Ballot Commission, requires secretary of state to provide explanation of measures and post on website, and creates Alabama Informed Voter Act.

d SB 12: Proposes an amendment to the state constitution authorizing the legislature to provide by general law for the recall of elected state officials.

d SB 382: Proposes an amendment to the state constitution allowing the people to propose laws or constitutional amendments by an initiative and that the legislature may offer an alternate proposal.

d SB 68: Creates Fair Ballot Commission, requires secretary of state to provide explanation of measures and post on website, and creates Alabama Informed Voter Act.

Arizona[edit]

See also: Laws governing the initiative process in Arizona

The following bills were introduced in the Arizona State Legislature:

d HB 2007: Requires literature or advertisements for statutory initiatives and their official ballot titles to contain the following disclosure: "Notice: Pursuant to Proposition 105 (1998), this measure can never be changed in the future if approved on the ballot except by a three-fourths vote of the Legislature and the change furthers the purpose of the original ballot measure, or by referring the change to the ballot."

d HB 2233: Requires the auditor general to conduct a special audit to evaluate the costs of each measure that is voter protected pursuant to article IV, part 1, section 1, Constitution of Arizona, and report the results to the governor, the president of the senate and the speaker of the house of representatives, and provide a copy of this report to the secretary of state.

d HB 2282: Divides recall elections into a primary and a general election. Makes various changes to recall procedures.

d HB 2290: Relates to election recall; relates to reimbursement.

a HB 2305 (Repealed): Requires a political committee that files petitions with the secretary of state to organize and group the signature sheets and affords a heightened evidentiary standard for any challenger to the petition circulators if the political committee conducts an arm’s length background check on its circulators. HB 2305 was repealed in 2014 by HB 2196.

d HB 2314: Includes referendums in the public hearing requirement for initiatives.

d HB 2366: Requires that initiative and referendum petitions include an impartial title on the petition.

d HCR 2017: Allows the state legislature to repeal voter approved ballot measures that do not specifically claim protection under the Voter Protection Act of 1998. Also provides that all voter approved initiatives have a subsequent vote eight years after the initial vote.

d HCR 2033: Requires that all ballot measures relating to state expenditures be reauthorized in an election eight years after the date they were originally passed.

d SB 1247: Removes the current requirement for notarization of petitioner's statement on petition.

d SB 1260: Requires the secretary of state to provide the official serial number to the applicant on a stamped copy of the application along with the specific number that is the minimum number of signatures required for the initiative or referendum to appear on the ballot and the required filing date for a petition to appear on the ballot.

d SB 1262: Applies existing contribution limits to contributions made toward support the effort to gather signatures on a recall petition.

d SB 1263: Requires that for a statewide ballot measure or question, or a statewide or legislative recall, all persons who are paid circulators must be registered as circulators with the secretary of state before circulating petitions. Requires the secretary to establish the procedure for registering paid circulators and receiving service of process.

d SB 1264: Modifies and adds requirements with regards to the initiative, referendum and recall petition process.

d SB 1336: Establishes an Arizona Election Commission to act as the investigatory, compliance and enforcement officer for campaign finance laws that apply to political committees supporting or opposing the recall of a public officer officer, or supporting the circulation of petitions for ballot measures.

d SB 1416: Modifies the petition signature requirements for new political parties and initiative and referendum measures.

d SCR 1006: Changes from four to six months before the election the deadline to submit initiative petitions.

d SCR 1019: requires initiative and referendum petition signatures to be apportioned among at least five different counties. Requires at least 40 percent of the total minimum number of required petition signatures to be collected from counties other than the two most populous counties.

Arkansas[edit]

See also: Laws governing the initiative process in Arkansas

The following bills were introduced in the Arkansas General Assembly:

a HB 1187: Declares that it is unlawful for a public servant or a governmental body to expend or permit the expenditure of public funds to support or oppose a ballot measure.

d HJR 1010: Amends the constitutional requirements for amending the Arkansas Constitution.

a SB 1118: Creates a new section defining what is considered petition fraud.

a SB 426: Requires reporting of expenditures made on behalf of a ballot measure committee by an advertising agency, public relations firm or political consultant.

aot SB 821: Makes sweeping changes the initiative and referendum process.

a SB 822: Requires all ballot question committees to file a final financial report regardless of whether a ballot question committee, individual, public servant, or governmental body received contributions or made expenditures in excess of $500.

d SB 898: Amends the procedures and requirements concerning petitions for initiatives and referendums.

d SJR 15: Proposes an amendment to the Arkansas constitution concerning the powers of initiative and referendum. (bill text not specific)

a SJR 16: Require ballot issue groups to collect at least 75% of the valid signatures required in order to receive additional time to gather extra signatures once the petition has been turned in to the secretary of state. This measure is on the ballot as the Arkansas Ballot Measure Signature Requirements Amendment.

California[edit]

See also: Laws governing the initiative process in California

The following bills were introduced in the California State Legislature:

AB 1117: Requires the Secretary of State to provide on the agency's Web site an electronic mail address at which the proponent of a proposed initiative or referendum measure may submit a copy of the petition for the measure in portable document format. Provides that, after receiving the petition, the petition is to be made available to the public through a hyperlink on the Web site that can be downloaded and printed. Requires a specified disclaimer that makes the petition available to the public.^[38]

AB 882: Amends existing provisions regarding recall petition. Provides that if 500 or more signatures are submitted to the elections official, the election official may verify, using a random sampling technique, either 3% of the signatures submitted or 500 signatures, whichever is greater.^[38]

SB 477: Declares the intent of the Legislature to enact legislation that would prohibit a political campaign committee from accepting large contributions made for the purpose of supporting a statewide initiative ballot measure until the committee has first received a significant number of small individual contributions made for the same purpose.^[38]

d SB 654: Requires proponents of an initiative or referendum measure to disclose specified counties in which petition circulation is planned and requires the Attorney General to prepare translations of the measure title and summary under certain circumstances based on the counties proposed for signature collection. SB 654 was approved in legislature and vetoed by the governor.^[38]

a AB 354: Requires the impartial analysis prepared for a local ballot measure to clearly indicate whether the measure was put on the ballot through a citizen petition drive or by the city council, county supervisors, district board of directors or the governing body of the relevant local jurisdiction.^[40][41]

AB 400: Requires a state or local initiative, referendum, or recall petition circulated by a paid circulator who is paid by a committee to include a disclosure statement identifying the persons from whom the committee received the 5 largest cumulative contributions in support of the measure and the name of their employer, if 2 or more of these contributors have the same employer. Requires this disclosure statement to be updated as specified.

ACA 6: Increases the vote requirement of votes cast for the electors to amend the Constitution by an initiative measure to 55%. Permits the electors to repeal a previously adopted initiative or legislative amendment to the Constitution, including certain subsequent amendments to the constitutional amendment, by an initiative measure passed by a majority vote.

AB 510: Requires that a committee file a report if they pay any amount to an individual for his or her appearance in an advertisement to support or oppose the qualification, passage, or defeat of a ballot measure if the advertisement states or otherwise communicates that the individual is a practitioner or member of a profession having expertise or specialized knowledge relating to the subject of the measure.

d AB 857: Deletes provisions providing that a person who is a voter or is qualified to vote in California is authorized to solicit signatures on an initiative or referendum petition, and requiring that person to declare under penalty of perjury that he or she is a voter or is qualified to register to vote in the state. AB 857 was approved by the legislature but was vetoed by the governor.

SCA 6: Proposes an amendment to the Constitution to prohibit an initiative measure that would result in a net increase in state or local government costs, from being submitted to the electors or having any effect unless and until the Legislative Analyst and the Director of Finance jointly determine that the initiative measure provides for additional revenues in an amount that meets or exceeds the net increase in costs.

SB 121: Requires a corporation that has shareholders located in this state and that makes a contribution or expenditure to, or in support of or in opposition to, a candidate, ballot measure campaign, or a signature-gathering effort on behalf of a ballot measure, political party, or political action committee to issue a report on the political expenditures of the corporation in the previous fiscal year, and to notify shareholders prior to each political contribution.^[38][42]

a SB 213: Repeals the requirement that individuals be qualified to register to vote in the state to circulate petitions for statewide initiatives and referendums or be qualified to register to vote in a local jurisdiction to circulate petitions for local initiatives and referendums.^[12]

Colorado[edit]

See also: Laws governing the initiative process in Colorado

The following bills were introduced in the Colorado General Assembly:

d HB 1100: Requires that ballot titles be in plain language.

Connecticut[edit]

The following bills were introduced in the Connecticut General Assembly:

d HJR 1: Provides for direct public participation in the legislative process.

d HJR 14: Provides for direct public participation in the legislative process.

d HJR 15: Provides for direct public participation in the legislative process.

d HJR 2: Allow for direct initiative and referendum; permits direct initiative and referendum.

Florida[edit]

See also: Laws governing the initiative process in Florida

The following bills were introduced in the Florida State Legislature:

d H 1045: Permits elector who changes his or her legal residence to vote in precinct to which he or she has moved. Limits length of ballot summaries. Deletes provisions authorizing use of multiple ballot statements when explaining joint resolutions.

d H 397: Limits word count on ballot summaries. Deletes authority of state attorney general to revise ballot titles and summaries if the joint resolution is defective.

a H 7013: Limits word count on certain ballot summaries. Revises sites and amount of time available for early voting.

d S 668: Limits word count on certain ballot summaries. Deletes judicial authority over ballot titles and summaries revised by the attorney general.

Georgia[edit]

The following bills were introduced in the Georgia State Legislature:

HR 162: Proposes an amendment that provides that the ballot language shall be provided by the Attorney General, summarize the proposed constitutional amendment accurately and objectively.

SR 692: Proposes an amendment that provides for public initiative referendums; provides for procedures, number of signatures required, verification methods, form of petition and other I & R specifics.

Hawaii[edit]

The following bills were introduced in the Hawaii State Legislature:

d HB 1445: Constitutional amendment providing for the recall of elected public officials.

d HB 1447: Statutory provision for the recall of elected public officials. Dependent upon ratification of HB 1445.

d HB 300: Requires the publication of information on proposed constitutional or proposed charter amendments that appear on an election ballot in pamphlet and electronic form.

d HB 729: Determines specific rules regarding the examination of a petition.

d HB 794: Proposes a constitutional amendment which provides that only yes or no votes be counted when determining whether or not a majority of votes has approved a legislatively referred constitutional amendment.

SB 771: Amends the State constitution to provide for initiative, referendum, and recall.

Idaho[edit]

See also: Laws governing the initiative process in Idaho

The following bills were introduced in the Idaho State Legislature:

d SB 1026: Amends existing law relating to initiative and referendum elections to revise provisions relating to the form of certain petitions; revises provisions relating to certain signature sheets; revises provisions relating to the number of signatures required on certain petitions; revises provisions relating to certain petitions and signature sheets.

a SB 1108: Amends existing law relating to initiative and referendum elections to revise signature requirements. Adds geographic distribution requirements. Revises provisions relating to the form of petitions to include legislative district on the signature sheet.

a SB 1191: Amends petition format requirements, removes certain petition signature requirements, removes language from circulator oath and adds certification that circulator believes signer has noted correct address.

Illinois[edit]

See also: Laws governing the initiative process in Illinois

The following bills were introduced in the Illinois State Legislature:

HJRCA 12: Provides for the recall of all state executive branch officers and members of the general assembly. Changes the signature requirements for affidavits and petitions for recall of the governor.

Maine[edit]

See also: Laws governing the initiative process in Maine

The following bills were introduced in the Maine State Legislature:

a LD 1299: Amends campaign finance laws by detailing laws regarding ballot measure committees, campaign finance provisions, campaign materials, electronic filing disclosure, etc.

Maryland[edit]

The following bills were introduced in the Maryland State Legislature:

d HB 221: Prohibits a person from willfully and knowingly preventing, hindering, or delaying a person who has a lawful right to sign a petition from signing a petition through the use of fraud, duress, force, threat, menace, or intimidation.

d HB 236: Requires that a question that relates to the enactment of a legislative or congressional districting plan that was petitioned to referendum include a map of the State that shows the boundary lines for the legislative or congressional districts that are included in the legislative or congressional districting plan.

d HB 49: Prohibits a sponsor or circulator of a petition from disclosing to the public specified information that an individual includes on a petition; prohibits public inspection of a petition after the petition is filed with the State Board of Elections or a county board of elections.

d HB 493: Requires a petition signature page to contain a specified notification and be completed on a specified form; alters the information an individual must provide to sign a petition; establishes specified requirements for an online petition system.

d HB 729 (dead link): Prohibits public inspection of a petition after the petition is filed with the appropriate elections office. Details other laws regarding inspecting petitions.

d HB 867: Authorizes members of the general assembly to use public resources to promote the success or defeat of a ballot issue.

d SB 367: Prohibits public inspection of a petition after the petition is filed with the State Board of Elections or a county board of elections.

d SB 673: Requires a petition signature page to contain a specified notification and be completed on a specified form; alters the information an individual must provide to sign a petition.

d SB 706: Alters the earliest date by which a nonemergency law may take effect; alters the date by which petitions to refer a law to referendum must be filed.

Massachusetts[edit]

See also: Laws governing the initiative process in Massachusetts

The following bills were introduced in the Massachusetts State Legislature:

HB 556: Relates to state recall elections.

HB 602: Relates to limiting contributions to ballot question committees.

HB 627: Requires the state secretary to promulgate regulations governing the conduct of paid signature gatherers for ballot questions, designed to achieve and maintain security from forgery and fraud in the collection of signatures on petitions for ballot questions and names thereon.

HB 67: Adds the following to the state constitution: "No initiative petition shall propose a constitutional amendment that would restrict the rights set forth in this constitution to freedom and equality, or the right of each individual to be protected by society in the enjoyment of life, liberty and property, according to standing laws."

SB 13: Adds the following to the state constitution: "No initiative petition shall propose a constitutional amendment that would restrict the rights set forth in this constitution to freedom and equality, or the right of each individual to be protected by society in the enjoyment of life, liberty and property, according to standing laws."

SB 1438: Provides that Part B taxable income shall not be taxed at a rate of more than 5.3 per cent unless said rate is approved by the initiative petition process.

SB 332: Determines that the state secretary shall further promulgate regulations governing the conduct of paid signature gatherers for ballot questions, designed to achieve and maintain security from forgery and fraud in the collection of signatures on petitions for ballot questions and names therein.

Michigan[edit]

See also: Laws governing the initiative process in Michigan

The following bills were introduced in the Michigan State Legislature:

HB 4046: Prohibits being paid for each petition signature collected, and require petition circulators to wear identification badges.

HB 4883: Requires that proposals be placed on the ballot before candidate names, with local proposals first, then county, then statewide.

HJR E: Protects legislation making appropriations by reducing spending, from referendum.

HJR Q: Provides for a constitutional amendment clarifying appropriation bills subject to referendum.

SB 10: Requires the name of individual or organization providing compensation to a circulator of a ballot question petition to be printed on the front of the petition.

SJR C: Provides for a constitutional amendment that clarifies appropriations bills subject to referendum.

SJR X: Provides for a constitutional amendment that requires two-thirds majority vote of the legislature for passage of a law that is the same or similar to a law rejected by a referendum.

Minnesota[edit]

The following bills were introduced in the Minnesota State Legislature:

HB 1762: Prohibits the use of public fund to promote or defeat ballot questions.

HB 196: Constitutional amendment that would require a two-thirds vote of each house of the legislature to submit a constitutional amendment to the people.

HB 93: Constitutional amendment that would require a two-thirds vote of each house of the legislature to submit a constitutional amendment to the people.

SB 1597: Prohibits the use of public fund to promote or defeat ballot questions.

a SF 661: Policy and technical changes to campaign finance and public disclosure modifications.

Mississippi[edit]

See also: Laws governing the initiative process in Mississippi

The following bills were introduced in the Mississippi State Legislature:

d HB 455: Provides a procedure for the recall of state and local elected officials.

d HB 965: Allows a petition proposing an initiative measure to be signed by means of an electronic or digital signature.

d HCR 28: Revises voter initiative procedure to conform signature requirements to number of existing congressional districts.

Missouri[edit]

See also: Laws governing the initiative process in Missouri

The following bills were introduced in the Missouri State Legislature:

a HB 117: Changes the laws regarding petition circulators and the duties of the Secretary of State regarding initiative and referendum petitions.

d HB 661: Specifies that any issue to increase any tax, license, fee, or levy requiring voter approval under Article X of the Missouri Constitution must be placed on the ballot only on the general election day.

d HJR 10: Proposes a constitutional amendment requiring a four-sevenths voter majority approval of an initiative petition related to crop production, livestock, or agriculture in order for it to take effect.

d SB 135: Requires a newly formed Fair Ballot Commission to approve fair ballot language and ballot summary statements.

d SB 2: Requires the Secretary of State to post the full text of an initiative or referendum on its website, along with sponsorship information.

Montana[edit]

See also: Laws governing the initiative process in Montana

The following bills were introduced in the Montana State Legislature:

d HB 126: Generally revise ballot issues and petition statutes.

d HB 349: Provides for state reimbursing counties for legislative referenda ballot costs; relates to elections.

d HB 419: Revises public official recall laws.

d HB 445: Details regulations regarding educating the electorate on ballot issues to appear on an upcoming election ballot.

d HB 496: Exempts from the definitions of contribution and expenditure the cost of any communication by a religious organization qualified under U.S.C. 501c(3) made in the course of the organization's religious activities.

d HB 615: Amends the state constitution to require that legislative referrals must be passed by three-fifths of the members of each house of the legislature.

d SB 204: Amend constitution to prohibit fishing/hunting/trapping laws by initiative.

d SB 321: Revise initiative process laws related to public involvement.

Nebraska[edit]

See also: Laws governing the initiative process in Nebraska

The following bills were introduced in the Nebraska State Legislature:

LB 160: Provide for electronic signatures on recall, initiative, and referendum petitions.

Nevada[edit]

See also: Laws governing the initiative process in Nevada

The following bills were introduced in the Nevada State Legislature:

a AB 35: Expands the conditions which require campaign finances to be reported.

a SB 325: Requires ballot summaries provide a concise and clear summary of any existing laws directly related to the measure and a summary of how the measure adds to, changes or repeals such existing laws.

New Hampshire[edit]

The following bills were introduced in the New Hampshire State Legislature:

d HB 601: Requires all measures placed on state ballots to be in plain English.

a SB 112: Requires constitutional amendment concurrent resolutions to contain the language for the voter's guide.

New Jersey[edit]

The following bills were introduced in the New Jersey State Legislature:

d A 1610: Requires ballot question on approval of state bond issue to disclose total amount of debt of State or other entity, debt service on which is funded through annual state appropriation.

d A 1924: Reduces number of signatures required on petition to recall elected official.

d A 960: Requires interpretive statements of state general obligation bond act public questions to include certain fiscal information.

d ACR 51: Proposes constitutional amendment to provide for Statewide initiative and referendum for directing State fiscal restraint.

d ACR 72: Proposes constitutional amendment to provide for Statewide initiative and referendum.

d ACR 77: Proposes constitutional amendment to establish initiative process for limited purpose of overturning New Jersey Supreme Court decisions or statutes.

d S 1454: Makes changes to the Uniform Recall Election Law. Reduces the petition signature threshold for recalling an elected official from 25% of the registered voters to 25% of the number of voters who voted at the last general election.

d S 1610: Changes signature requirement for recall petition and when recall may be initiated.

d SCR 15: Proposes constitutional amendment to provide Statewide initiative and referendum for directing State fiscal restraint.

d SCR 82: Proposes constitutional amendment to change signature requirement for recall petition.

New York[edit]

The following bills were introduced in the New York State Legislature:

A 1557: Establishes an initiative and referendum process so that voters are able to bring issues to the state legislature for consideration; defines terms.

A 3118: Establishes a procedure for a people's veto of laws enacted by the legislature.

A 3672: Provides for regulation of delegates to a constitutional convention, their election and public financing for such elections.

A 3972: Provides for regulation of delegates to a constitutional convention, their election, and public financing for such elections.

5392: Provides for initiative and referendum and recall; empowers the electors with the ability to propose statutes and amendments to the constitution, approve or reject statutes or parts of statutes, and remove elective officers.

A 6161: Provides for the recall power of the electors to remove an elective officer.

AB 1557: Provides for initiative and referendum petitions for electors.

S 1651: Establishes a procedure for a people's veto of laws enacted by the legislature.

S 2214: Provides for initiative and referendum and recall.

S 2763: Proposes an amendment to the constitution providing the electors with the power of initiative, indirect initiative and referendum.

S 3253: Provides for regulation of delegates to a constitutional convention, their election, and public financing for such.

S 329: Provides for recall; empowers the electors with the ability to remove elective officers.

S 4049: Provides for initiative and referendum in New York State for the People as electors to propose or reject laws and submit amendments to the state constitution.

S 5512: Provides for the recall power of the electors to remove an elective officer.

SB 1651: Establishes a procedure for a people's veto of laws enacted by the legislature.

SB 329: Provides for recall; empowers the electors with the ability to remove elective officers.

North Carolina[edit]

The following bills were introduced in the North Carolina State Legislature:

a HB 248: Requires disclosure on a ballot that authorization of indebtedness includes interest and that taxes may be levied to repay the indebtedness.

North Dakota[edit]

See also: Laws governing the initiative process in North Dakota

The following bills were introduced in the North Dakota State Legislature:

a HB 1372: Provides that upon submission of the petitions to the secretary of state, the petitions are considered filed and may not be returned to the sponsoring committee for the purpose of continuing the circulation process or resubmitting the petitions at a later time.

a HB 1402: Requires that a petition signer's name be legibly printed on a petition, and includes zip code in the required information.

a HB 1451: Amends and reenacts sections of the North Dakota Century Code, relating to disclosure requirements for petition sponsors and the requirements for calling and the duties of a grand jury.

d HCR 3005: Adds signature distribution requirement that signatures of electors equal in number to at least four percent of the resident population from each of at least fifty percent of the counties in the state.

a HCR 3011: Requires that initiated measures estimated to have a significant fiscal impact be placed on the general election ballot.

a HCR 3034: Amends the constitution to change the submission deadline for initiative petitions from 90 to 120 days before the election.

d SB 2183: Requires that petition circulators be a qualified elector who has been a resident of the state for at least three years and who, according to the central voter file, has voted in at least one of the preceding two statewide elections, not including any special election.

a SB 2299: Relates to campaign contribution statements required of initiated petition sponsoring committees; relates to campaign finance; relates to campaign contribution statements required of political organizations.

d SCR 4006: Requires legislative approval of any ballot measure estimated to have a fiscal impact of forty million dollars or more during the next full biennium after the measure is due to become effective.

Ohio[edit]

See also: Laws governing the initiative process in Ohio

The following bills were introduced in the Ohio State Legislature:

HB 118: Revises language regarding bond issues.

HB 157: Establishes a procedure to recall an elective township officer.

a SB 47: Makes sweeping election law revisions.

Oklahoma[edit]

See also: Laws governing the initiative process in Oklahoma

The following bills were introduced in the Oklahoma State Legislature:

HB 1008: Provides for the recall of elected officers and details petitions to be used for recall efforts.

HB 1635: Provides for the recall of elected officers and details petitions to be used for recall efforts.

HB 1823: Placeholder for the Oklahoma Initiative and Referendum Act.

Oregon[edit]

See also: Laws governing the initiative process in Oregon

The following bills were introduced in the Oregon State Legislature:

a SB 148: Requires chief petitioners to ensure that criminal records check is conducted for paid circulators.

d HB 2543: Modifies certain provisions relating to state initiative measures that require appropriation or expenditure of public moneys.

d HB 3113: Eliminates requirement that statements regarding measures authorizing bonds or certain taxes be printed on envelopes in which ballot titles are delivered.

d HB 3405: Requires Oregon Criminal Justice Commission to create, upon request of member of Legislative Assembly, racial and ethnic impact statement for proposed legislation or state measure.

d HB 3483: Requires Oregon Criminal Justice Commission to create, upon request of member of Legislative Assembly, racial and ethnic impact statement for proposed legislation or state measure.

d HJR 15: Proposes amendment to Oregon Constitution to require that initiative petition proposing law or constitutional amendment with fiscal impact also provide new tax or fee or increase in rate of existing tax or fee to cover immediate and future costs of law or amendment.

d HJR 31: Proposes amendment to Oregon Constitution to repeal provision requiring supermajority to reduce criminal sentence approved by initiative or referendum process.

d HJR 34: Proposes amendment to the state constitution that limits recall petitions and subsequent elections to one petition per elected official per term; refers proposed amendment to people for their approval or rejection at next regular general election.

a SB 145: Removes liability of candidate's treasurer for default or violation that occurs in performance of certain duties.

d SB 151: Requires circulator of petitions to certify on each signature sheet that circulator did not violate any laws in obtaining signatures on sheet.

d SB 152: Requires paid signature gatherers for state initiative or referendum petition or prospective petition to sign signature sheet before notary public.

d SB 153: Prohibits counting signature obtained in violation of payment per signature prohibition in Oregon Constitution.

a SB 154: Requires organization or entity that pays persons to obtain signatures on election petitions to register with Secretary of State.

d SB 155: Requires statements and arguments intended for the voters' pamphlet to be filed electronically with Secretary of State.

d SB 159: Allows agent of chief petitioner to submit signature sheets for initiative or referendum petition to Secretary of State.

d SB 160: Clarifies that only chief petitioner who pays person to collect signatures on statewide initiative or referendum petitions is required to keep detailed accounts.

a SB 463: Requires Oregon Criminal Justice Commission to create, upon written request of one member of Legislative Assembly from each major political party, racial and ethnic impact statement for proposed legislation or state measure.

d SB 493: Requires imposition of specified civil penalty for first, second, third and subsequent violation of constitutional prohibition against payment for signatures obtained on initiative or referendum petition.

d SJR 15: Proposes amendment to Oregon Constitution to require that initiative petition proposing law or constitutional amendment with fiscal impact include source of revenue to pay for proposed law or amendment.

Pennsylvania[edit]

The following bills were introduced in the Pennsylvania State Legislature:

HB 1376: An Act amending the act of June 27, 2006 (1st Sp.Sess., P.L.1873, No.1), known as the Taxpayer Relief Act, further providing for public referendum requirements for increasing certain taxes.

HB 989: An act providing for a Citizens Constitutional Convention and for a referendum on the question and for the selection of delegates.

SB 365: An amendment to the Constitution of the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania, authorizing the use of the indirect initiative and referendum as powers reserved to the people.

Rhode Island[edit]

The following bills were introduced in the Rhode Island State Legislature:

d SB 151: Approves, publishes and submits to the electors a proposition of amendment to the constitution of the state concerning initiative and referendum.

d SB 152: Provides a detailed process by which a proponent of a voter initiative and referendum proposal would present the proposal to the secretary of state, the general assembly and the governor.

d SJR 151: Establishes a voter initiative process to allow voters to initiate proposed legislation which would, upon a majority vote of the electorate, become law.

d SJR 152: Provides a detailed process By which A proponent of a voter initiative and referendum proposal would present the proposal to the secretary of state, the general assembly and the governor.

South Carolina[edit]

The following bills were introduced in the South Carolina State Legislature:

SJR 16: Proposes a constitutional amendment establishing a specified procedure for the enactment or repeal of laws and constitutional amendments by initiative petition and referendum and to provide exceptions.

Texas[edit]

The following bills were introduced in the Texas State Legislature:

d HB 785: Relating to ballot language for a proposition to approve the issuance or increase of debt.

d HJR 44: Proposing a constitutional amendment authorizing elections for the recall of independent school district trustees.

d HJR 57: Proposing a constitutional amendment to reserve to the people the powers of initiative for the sole purpose of adopting and imposing a state income tax.

d SB 137: Relating to the recall of members of school district boards of trustees.

d SJR 11: Proposing a constitutional amendment authorizing elections for the recall of independent school district trustees.

Vermont[edit]

The following bills were introduced in the Vermont State Legislature:

H 320: Proposes to establish a citizens’ initiative process and to require the General Assembly to vote on laws proposed by citizens in accordance with this process.

Washington[edit]

See also: Laws governing the initiative process in Washington

The following bills were introduced in the Washington State Legislature:

HB 1211: Concerns primary election voters' pamphlets.

HB 1720: Increases transparency of donors to candidates and ballot measures.

HB 1966: Permits electronic submission of application to circulate initiative petition.

HB 2033: Reduces the costs and inefficiencies in elections by eliminating a requirement to include the full text of ballot measures in the printed version of voters' pamphlets.

HB 2066: Reduces the costs and inefficiencies in elections by eliminating a requirement to include the full text of ballot measures in the printed version of voters' pamphlets.

a SB 5258: Provides that a political committee must list the names of its five largest contributors on broadcasted or written advertisements that support or oppose a ballot measure when the cumulative value of the advertisements is at least a specified amount; exempts yard signs, and other forms of advertising where identification is impractical, such as campaign buttons, balloons, pens, pencils, skywriting and inscriptions.

SB 5347: Declares that any state or local initiative for which sufficient valid voter signatures are submitted within the time period required must be submitted to a vote of the people at the next election date.

SB 5499: Changes deadline for filing initiative petitions from ten to twenty months before the election.

SB 5505: Concerning individual voter signatures on a petition, the secretary of state must accept and must not reject a valid voter signature if it matches the signature on the voter's registration as long as the requirements in existing law are met.

a SB 5507: Increases transparency of donors to candidates and ballot measures.

SB 5676: Protects personal voter signatures.

West Virginia[edit]

The following bills were introduced in the West Virginia State Legislature:

d HB 2568: Authorizes the legislature to add a nonbinding advisory referendum ballot issue.

d HJR 13: Relates to the "Initiative, Referendum, and Recall Amendment."

d HJR 27: The "Initiative, Referendum, and Recall Amendment."

d SJR 3: Proposes constitutional amendment designated Initiative, Referendum and Recall Amendment.

Wisconsin[edit]

The following bills were introduced in the Wisconsin State Legislature:

SB 114: Relates to recall petition requirements.

See also[edit]

• Changes in 2014 to laws governing ballot measures
• Changes in 2012 to laws governing ballot measures
• Changes in 2011 to laws governing ballot measures
• Changes in 2010 to laws governing ballot measures
• Changes in 2009 to laws governing ballot measures
• Changes in 2008 to laws governing ballot measures
• Changes in 2007 to laws governing ballot measures

Footnotes[edit]