The bill amends various sections of Florida Statutes to revise the petition process for candidates and initiatives, introducing significant changes to enhance transparency and integrity. It deletes the definition of "petition circulator" and mandates the use of a uniform petition form that requires specific voter information, including full name, residential address, and voter registration number. The bill also reduces the percentages used to calculate filing fees and party assessments for candidates and stipulates that supervisors of elections will only verify signatures if the correct petition form is utilized. Additionally, it establishes new requirements for initiative petition sponsors, including registration as political committees and submission of proposed amendment texts for approval.

Moreover, the bill introduces a structured verification process for signatures, requiring each petition form to be verified by the supervisor of elections within a specified timeline. It replaces the term "Financial Impact Estimating Conference" with "panel" and outlines the procedures for evaluating the financial implications of initiatives, ensuring that all meetings are open to the public. The legislation also emphasizes accessibility for voters with disabilities and includes provisions to prevent foreign influence in the electoral process by imposing strict penalties on foreign nationals attempting to influence citizen initiatives. Overall, the bill aims to streamline the petition process while ensuring compliance, transparency, and accountability in Florida's electoral system.

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