The proposed bill aims to enhance the integrity of Washington's initiative and referendum process by implementing new procedural safeguards. It introduces a requirement for individuals proposing initiatives to gather at least 1,000 signatures from legal voters before filing their measures with the Secretary of State. This measure is intended to ensure that only proposals with a minimum level of public support advance through the legislative process, thereby reducing the risk of fraud, voter confusion, and the burden on state resources caused by duplicative filings. Additionally, the bill prohibits compensation for signature gatherers based on the number of signatures collected, addressing concerns about incentivizing fraudulent practices in the signature-gathering process.

To enforce these provisions, the bill allows citizens to bring actions against violators, with potential civil penalties of up to $10,000 for each infraction. It also outlines the process for filing such actions, including the recovery of attorney fees for successful plaintiffs and penalties for frivolous lawsuits. The bill amends existing laws to incorporate these new requirements and penalties, reinforcing the state's commitment to maintaining a fair and transparent initiative and referendum process.

Statutes affected:
Original bill: 29A.72.010, 29A.72.020, 29A.72.030
Substitute bill: 29A.72.010, 29A.72.020, 29A.72.030