This bill amends existing South Dakota law to establish that only individuals who are registered voters in the state may serve as petition sponsors for initiated amendments, initiated measures, or petitions to refer laws. The amendments to sections 2-1-1.1, 2-1-1.2, and 2-1-3.1 include new requirements for petition sponsors to file their petitions with the Secretary of State before circulation, including an electronic copy. The bill specifies that the petitions must contain the full text of the proposed amendment or measure, the date of the general election for submission, and a notarized affidavit signed by each petition sponsor.

Additionally, the bill mandates that each petition circulator provide a handout to individuals signing the petition, which includes essential information such as the title and explanation of the measure, fiscal notes, and contact details of the sponsors. The circulator must also indicate whether they are a volunteer or a paid circulator, along with the payment amount if applicable. The bill aims to enhance transparency and accountability in the petition process while ensuring that only registered voters can sponsor such initiatives.

Statutes affected:
Introduced, 01/27/2025: 2-1-1.1, 2-1-1.2, 2-1-3.1