Senate Bill No. 1027 seeks to amend the initiative and referendum processes in Oklahoma by introducing several key changes aimed at enhancing clarity and integrity. The bill makes the language gender-neutral and establishes specific requirements for the gist of propositions, including mandatory statements on petitions. It requires the Secretary of State to ensure compliance with these new requirements and allows for the removal of non-compliant gists. Additionally, the bill sets qualifications for petition circulators, mandating that they be registered voters in Oklahoma and verify signatures through an affidavit. It also imposes limits on the number of signatures collected from a single county and prohibits compensation for circulators based on the number of signatures gathered, promoting transparency through weekly expenditure reports published on the Secretary of State's website.

Furthermore, the bill outlines procedures for the review and approval of ballot titles for measures proposed by the Legislature or through citizen initiatives. It mandates that the Secretary of State submit proposed ballot titles to the Attorney General for legal correctness, with a timeline for notification and compliance. The bill includes a severability clause to ensure that if any part is invalidated, the remaining sections remain effective. It also specifies that the new procedures apply to all initiative petitions for which circulation dates have not yet been set and includes an emergency clause for immediate effect upon passage and approval.

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