This bill addresses petition signature gathering and removal. This bill: - requires an individual who gathers a statement requesting removal of a petition signer's signature to be at least 18 years old; - requires a paid signature removal statement gatherer to: display a badge disclosing certain information while gathering the statement; andverify, on the statement, certain information about the individual who signs the statement; - requires a signature removal statement, if collected by a paid gatherer, to include a notice that removing the signer's signature may prevent the initiative or referendum from appearing on the ballot; - prohibits a person from paying a person to gather a signature removal statement unless the payment is based on an hourly rate; - prohibits a person from using an initiative or referendum petition signer's email address for any non-petition related purpose; - expands existing criminal penalties in relation to the initiative and referendum process by prohibiting an individual from making certain misrepresentations while the individual:gathers signatures for an initiative or referendum petition; orgathers statements requesting removal of signatures from an initiative or referendum petition; and - makes technical and conforming changes.

Statutes affected:
Introduced: 20A-1-1003, 20A-7-105, 20A-7-106, 20A-7-213, 20A-7-312, 20A-7-512, 20A-7-612