The proposed bill aims to prohibit the use of paid petition circulators in South Dakota. It amends existing laws regarding the filing and circulation of petitions for initiated amendments and measures, as well as petitions to refer laws. Key changes include the requirement that each petition circulator provide a handout to individuals signing the petition, which must now state that the circulator is not being compensated for their efforts. Additionally, the bill introduces a new section that explicitly prohibits compensating individuals for circulating petitions, declaring any petition circulated in violation of this provision to be void ab initio.

The bill also revises definitions related to petition circulators and sponsors, ensuring that only registered voters can sponsor petitions. It clarifies the responsibilities of petition circulators and sponsors, including the need for notarized affidavits and the approval of circulator handouts by the secretary of state. Overall, the legislation seeks to enhance transparency in the petition process by eliminating financial incentives for circulators and reinforcing the requirement for clear communication to potential signers.

Statutes affected:
Introduced, 01/16/2026: 2-1-1.1, 2-1-1.2, 2-1-1.3, 2-1-3.1, 12-1-3, 49-35-9