House adopts changes to initiative-petition rules; votes narrow circulator standards and timing

The Missouri House on March 19 adopted a House Committee Substitute that combines House Bills 575 and 551 and revises rules for initiative and referendum petitions, including how circulators are qualified and paid, who may challenge petitions in court and when sufficiency is determined.

The bill sponsor, the Gentleman from Franklin, a representative, said the measure standardizes the process so the Secretary of State’s office and courts can process petitions consistently and aligns circulator residency requirements with a cited Eighth Circuit precedent. He said the substitute also prohibits paying petition circulators on a per-signature basis and moves key sufficiency determinations earlier in the timeline so circulators and sponsors know sooner whether a petition will meet ballot requirements.

The House debated two floor amendments aimed at greater transparency and clearer warnings for circulators. The Gentleman…