The bill amends existing laws regarding the requirements for petitions to initiate measures or constitutional amendments and to refer laws in South Dakota. It stipulates that petition sponsors must file their petitions in both physical and electronic formats with the Secretary of State at least one year before the next general election. The petitions must include the full text of the proposed measure or amendment, the date of the election, a title and explanation prepared by the attorney general, a fiscal note if applicable, a notarized affidavit from each sponsor, and a statement of organization. Additionally, the title must be printed on both sides of the petition sheet, with specific font size requirements, and circulators must provide a handout to signers that includes essential information about the petition and the circulator's status.

Furthermore, the bill establishes that petitions for initiated measures or amendments cannot be circulated more than twenty-four months before the designated election and must be submitted by the first Tuesday in May of the election year. For petitions to refer a law, the signatures must be filed within ninety days after the legislature adjourns. A sworn affidavit confirming the completeness and validity of the petition must be signed by at least two-thirds of the sponsors. The State Board of Elections is tasked with prescribing the form and size of the petitions and related documents.

Statutes affected:
Introduced, 01/23/2025: 2-1-1.1, 2-1-1.2, 2-1-3.1
Senate State Affairs Engrossed, 02/10/2025: 2-1-1.1, 2-1-1.2, 2-1-3.1
House State Affairs Engrossed, 03/03/2025: 2-1-1.1, 2-1-1.2, 2-1-3.1
Conference Committee Engrossed, 03/12/2025: 2-1-1.1, 2-1-1.2, 2-1-3.1
Enrolled, 03/13/2025: 2-1-1.1, 2-1-1.2, 2-1-3.1