Signed by Governor Ron DeSantis

Vote Smart's Synopsis:

Vote to concur with house amendments and pass a bill that increases ballot initiative requirements for signature collection.

Highlights:

• Requires petition sponsors for initiatives to comply with each of the following (Sec. 1):

• Provide a copy of the final resolution to the Office of Program Policy Analysis and Government Accountability, where it will undergo a performance audit; and

• File the initiative petition with the supervisor of elections for signature verification.

• Requires petition gatherers to submit to the Secretary of State an application for registration that includes the following (Sec. 3):

• The applicant’s name, permanent or temporary address, and date of birth;

• A Florida address at which the applicant will accept disputes concerning the petition process if they are not a resident of the state; and

• A statement of consent to the jurisdiction of the courts in resolving disputes concerning the petition process.

• Requires each petition to include a petition gatherer’s affidavit including their name, address, and a statement that they were present for the signing of the petition (Sec. 3). 

• Requires the division of elections to maintain a database containing the information of each petition gatherer (Sec. 3).  

• Specifies that each petition form must be delivered to the supervisor of elections within 30 days of the signing of the form, and provides the following penalties for noncompliance by the petition sponsor (Sec. 3):

• A $50 fine for each petition form received more than 30 days after it is signed;

• A $250 fine if the petition sponsor willfully holds a form more than 30 days;

• A $500 fine for each petition form that is not submitted; and

• A $1,000 fine if the petition sponsor willfully withholds a petition.

• Specifies that the Secretary of State may refer perceived violations of Section 3 to the Attorney General, who may institute a civil action, including injunction, a restraining order, or any other appropriate order (Sec. 3). 

• Increases the time that the Financial Impact Estimating Conference has to complete a financial impact statement from 45 to 75 days after receipt of a proposed initiative (Sec. 3).

• Requires any initiative that is estimated to increase costs, decrease revenues, or have any negative impact on the state or local economy to include a statement of the estimated effect on the ballot in bold font (Sec. 3). 

• Prohibits the compensation of petition gatherers based on the number of petition forms gathered (Sec. 4).

Full Bill Text

Vote Smart's Synopsis:

Vote to concur with senate amendments and pass a bill that increases ballot initiative requirements for signature collection.

Highlights:

• Requires petition sponsors for initiatives to comply with each of the following (Sec. 1):

• Provide a copy of the final resolution to the Office of Program Policy Analysis and Government Accountability, where it will undergo a performance audit; and

• File the initiative petition with the supervisor of elections for signature verification.

• Requires petition gatherers to submit to the Secretary of State an application for registration that includes the following (Sec. 3):

• The applicant’s name, permanent or temporary address, and date of birth;

• A Florida address at which the applicant will accept disputes concerning the petition process if they are not a resident of the state; and

• A statement of consent to the jurisdiction of the courts in resolving disputes concerning the petition process.

• Requires each petition to include a petition gatherer’s affidavit including their name, address, and a statement that they were present for the signing of the petition (Sec. 3). 

• Requires the division of elections to maintain a database containing the information of each petition gatherer (Sec. 3).  

• Specifies that each petition form must be delivered to the supervisor of elections within 30 days of the signing of the form, and provides the following penalties for noncompliance by the petition sponsor (Sec. 3):

• A $50 fine for each petition form received more than 30 days after it is signed;

• A $250 fine if the petition sponsor willfully holds a form more than 30 days;

• A $500 fine for each petition form that is not submitted; and

• A $1,000 fine if the petition sponsor willfully withholds a petition.

• Specifies that the Secretary of State may refer perceived violations of Section 3 to the Attorney General, who may institute a civil action, including injunction, a restraining order, or any other appropriate order (Sec. 3). 

• Increases the time that the Financial Impact Estimating Conference has to complete a financial impact statement from 45 to 75 days after receipt of a proposed initiative (Sec. 3).

• Requires any initiative that is estimated to increase costs, decrease revenues, or have any negative impact on the state or local economy to include a statement of the estimated effect on the ballot in bold font (Sec. 3). 

• Prohibits the compensation of petition gatherers based on the number of petition forms gathered (Sec. 4).

Full Bill Text