| Summary |
Under current law, proponents seeking to place an initiated
measure on the ballot are required to submit certain documents with the
secretary of state in order for the title board to consider the measure at a
title setting hearing. Section 1 of the bill requires that when proponents
submit 5 or more drafts within the same initiative cycle, with at least one
of the same designated representatives of proponents, and on the same
subject matter, the proponents also submit a chart describing or otherwise
visually demonstrating the differences between the drafts.
Section 2 requires the director of research of the legislative
council of the general assembly (director), when preparing an estimate of
an initiated proposed tax increase's fiscal impact if enacted, to include an
estimate of the maximum dollar amount of the change in state and local
government revenue and fiscal year spending, as defined in the state
constitution, for the first and, if phased in, final full fiscal year of the
proposed tax increase.
Section 3 requires that the title board, when setting a title for a
ballot measure:
•
Indicate in the title whether the proposed law modifies,
extends, or repeals existing law or creates new law; and
•
For measures that propose a tax increase, use the estimate
of the maximum dollar amount of the change in state and
local government revenue and fiscal year spending for the
first or, if phased in, final full fiscal year of the proposed
tax increase.
Section 3 also requires the title board to hold its last meeting no
later than the first Wednesday in April rather than the third Wednesday
in April, thereby requiring proponents of an initiative to submit drafts to
the title board 2 weeks earlier than is required under current law. In
connection with the changes to when the title board holds its last meeting,
section 4 requires the title board to hear motions for rehearing on
measures considered at its last meeting that will be voted on that year at
a meeting held on the third Wednesday in April, rather than within 48
hours after the last title board meeting. Additionally, section 4 requires
motions for rehearing to be filed with the title board by 5 p.m. on the
seventh day following the title board's decision that is the subject of the
motion.
Section 5 requires that, with regard to the petition circulation
process for statewide ballot measures, a designated representative for the
proponents notify the secretary of state when an initiative or referendum
petition that is being circulated has received 25%, 50%, and 75% of the
required number of signatures and when any petition is no longer being
actively circulated. Section 5 allows the secretary of state to impose a fine
on any designated representative who does not comply with these
reporting requirements; except that the fine cannot exceed $1,500.
Section 5 also requires the secretary of state to post on the secretary of
state's website a list of any initiative or referendum petitions that have
received 25%, 50%, and 75% of the required number of signatures for the
petition and a list of any petitions that are no longer being actively
circulated.
Section 6 requires the director to prepare for the ballot information
booklet for a proposed tax increase estimates of both the maximum dollar
amount of the change in state and local government revenue and fiscal
year spending, as defined in the state constitution, for the first full fiscal
year of the proposed tax increase and state and local government fiscal
year spending, as defined in the state constitution, without the proposed
tax increase.
Section 7 requires the fiscal note for any legislative measure that
includes a proposed tax increase to include the maximum dollar amount
of the change in state and local government revenue for the first and, if
phased in, final full fiscal year of the proposed tax increase and also
requires relevant ballot questions for any legislative measure that includes
a proposed tax increase to include the estimate of the maximum dollar
amount of the change in state and local government revenue for the first
or, if phased in, final full fiscal year of the proposed tax increase.
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