The bill amends existing laws regarding the filing deadlines for petitions to initiate measures or constitutional amendments in South Dakota. Specifically, it changes the deadline for submitting signatures from the first Tuesday in May to the first Tuesday in February of a general election year. This adjustment applies to both initiated amendments and initiated measures, ensuring that petitions must be filed with the Secretary of State at least one year before the next general election, along with specific requirements such as the full text of the amendment or measure, a notarized affidavit from petition sponsors, and a statement of organization.

Additionally, the bill maintains the requirement for petition circulators to provide a handout to signers, which includes essential information such as the title and explanation of the measure or amendment, fiscal notes, and contact details for petition sponsors. The bill also stipulates that no signatures can be collected more than twenty-four months before the designated general election, and a sworn affidavit confirming the completeness and sufficiency of the petition must be submitted by at least two-thirds of the sponsors. Overall, these changes aim to streamline the petition process and ensure compliance with updated filing timelines.

Statutes affected:
Introduced, 01/30/2025: 2-1-1.1, 2-1-1.2