The bill amends various sections of Florida Statutes to revise the petition process for candidates and initiatives, introducing a uniform petition form that requires specific voter information, including full name, residential address, and voter registration number. It deletes the definition of "petition circulator" and mandates that supervisors of elections verify signatures only if the correct petition form is used. Additionally, the bill decreases the percentages used to calculate filing fees and party assessments for candidates, while establishing new verification requirements, including the necessity for voters to present valid identification. It also introduces penalties for violations related to the petition process, aiming to enhance integrity and transparency.

Moreover, the bill requires sponsors of initiative amendments to register as political committees and submit proposed amendment texts to the Secretary of State before circulating petitions. It specifies that initiative petition forms must include detailed voter information and become public records upon receipt by election supervisors. The bill also streamlines the financial impact assessment process by replacing the term "Financial Impact Estimating Conference" with "panel" and outlines new provisions for verifying petition forms. Additionally, it expands the definition of vote selling to include the submission of petition forms and imposes strict regulations on contributions from foreign nationals to political committees. Overall, the legislation seeks to improve the integrity and accessibility of the petition process in Florida.

Statutes affected:
H 21A Filed: 15.21, 16.061, 97.021, 99.092, 99.095, 99.097, 100.371, 101.161, 104.045, 106.08, 106.19, 212.055