The proposed bill aims to enhance the integrity of Washington's initiative and referendum process by implementing stricter regulations on signature gathering and requiring a demonstration of public support before a ballot measure title is issued. Key provisions include the requirement for individuals proposing an initiative or referendum to gather at least 1,000 signatures from legal voters prior to filing with the Secretary of State. This measure is intended to reduce the burden on state resources caused by the filing of numerous low-support or duplicative initiatives. Additionally, the bill prohibits compensation for signature gatherers based on the number of signatures collected, addressing concerns about fraud and misconduct in the signature-gathering process.

To enforce these new regulations, the bill allows citizens to bring actions against violators, with potential civil penalties of up to $10,000 for each infraction. The legislation also amends existing laws to ensure that only proposals meeting the new signature requirement are accepted for filing. The Secretary of State is tasked with verifying the signatures before a proposed measure can proceed, thereby reinforcing the integrity of the initiative and referendum process in Washington. Overall, the bill seeks to safeguard the democratic process by ensuring that only initiatives with genuine public support are considered for the ballot.

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