House panel approves bill requiring short fiscal-impact statements on statewide ballot measures

A House committee voted to pass as amended legislation that would require the Division of Finance and Administration to prepare a short, plain-language fiscal impact statement for statewide ballot measures, including citizen initiatives and legislatively referred constitutional amendments.

Representative Ray, sponsor of House Bill 16 37, told the committee the measure would place a “short, succinct fiscal impact statement” on the ballot so voters know the likely costs of a proposal before they vote. “When someone brings you an idea for a bill, the first thing we ask is, ‘How much is this going to cost?’” Ray said. “Voters deserve that same information.”

Ray said the bill directs the Department of Finance and Administration to prepare an unbiased, good-faith estimate that generally must not exceed 100 words (200 words when the initiative creates a new source of revenue or changes a tax). Sponsors said the bill is modeled on laws in other states—Ray cited Wyoming, Montana, Utah and Oregon—and on practices that require a short, visible fiscal note on ballots or petition materials.

Supporters, including Representative Meeks, argued the change would provide voters essential information. Meeks said a recent proposal that carried a multi‑billion‑dollar estimate illustrated the problem: “If voters don't know the cost, they can't make an informed choice,” he said.

Opponents and cautious committee members raised technical concerns. Representative Collins asked how often and when the fiscal statement could be updated if economic conditions change between the time the statement is prepared and election day; Ray said the department could revise an estimate if circumstances changed but the bill gives the agency a firm deadline to provide the statement (the draft requires submission within a statutory window tied to the petition/ballot title process). Lawyer JP Tribble and attorney/advocate Dr. Gail Choate questioned whether complex fiscal effects can be reduced reliably to a 100‑word statement and whether the sponsor appeal process is practical; Tribble recommended posting fuller analyses online rather than locking a short estimate into the ballot itself.

Ray and other backers said the measure simply places a summarized fiscal estimate where voters will see it in the voting booth; other pro and con arguments will remain in the public campaign. After debate, the committee adopted an amendment and voted to pass the bill as amended.

The committee action was a voice vote; the chair announced “the ayes have it.” The measure now moves to the full House calendar.