The bill amends existing laws regarding local initiative and referendum petitions in Arkansas, introducing new definitions and requirements for the circulation and verification of these petitions. Notably, it defines "local" as pertaining to a county or municipality and establishes that both statewide and local initiative and referendum petitions must be filed with the appropriate authorities, namely the Secretary of State for statewide petitions and the county clerk for local petitions. The bill also specifies that sponsors must provide a complete list of paid canvassers to both the Secretary of State and the county clerk, ensuring transparency and compliance with legal standards.

Additionally, the bill enhances penalties for violations related to the canvassing process, including falsification of signatures and improper compensation for signature collection. It mandates that canvassers file affidavits certifying compliance with Arkansas laws, and it prohibits the counting of signatures obtained through unlawful means. The amendments aim to strengthen the integrity of the petition process, ensuring that all measures are legally sound and properly reviewed before being presented to voters.

Statutes affected:
SB 584: 7-9-101, 7-9-104, 7-9-105, 7-9-103(a), 7-9-103(c), 7-9-103(e), 7-9-107, 7-9-111(j), 7-9-601(a), 7-9-601(b), 7-9-601(f), 7-9-601(g), 14-14-915(a), 14-14-915(b)