This bill amends various sections of Florida Statutes concerning the petition process for candidates and initiatives, introducing significant changes aimed at enhancing transparency and accountability. Key provisions include the establishment of a new panel to replace the Financial Impact Estimating Conference, which will analyze the financial impacts of proposed constitutional amendments. The bill also mandates that initiative petitions must be filed by February 1 of the election year, requires sponsors to register as political committees before circulating petitions, and specifies that petition forms must include detailed information such as the petition number, ballot title, and a notice regarding the public record status of the form. Additionally, the bill outlines new procedures for verifying signatures on initiative petitions, including the requirement for supervisors of elections to post verification costs online and provide updates on signature collection status. It also introduces penalties for violations related to petition forms and establishes a process for voters to challenge ballot position certificates. The legislation aims to streamline the petition process while ensuring compliance with new procedural requirements, ultimately enhancing the integrity of the electoral process in Florida.

Statutes affected:
S 18A Filed: 15.21, 16.061, 97.021, 99.092, 99.095, 99.097, 100.371, 101.161, 104.045, 104.186, 106.08, 106.19, 212.055