House adopts change to independent candidate petition deadline, giving candidates 14 days after filing period ends to collect signatures

On the House floor, members adopted second‑reading amendment number 1 to House Bill 173, which revises the timing required for independent candidates to collect petition signatures. The amendment was moved by Representative Brown and discussed in the context of ensuring the statute matched legislators' intent and practical campaign realities.

Representative Brown said he had spoken with the bill sponsor and with a constituent who was concerned that independent candidates would be forced to —front load— signature collection before the primary and that the bill as drafted might require collecting signatures months earlier than necessary. The adopted amendment gives candidates 14 business days after the end of the filing period to gather the needed signatures, allowing them to file and then finish required petitions.

Representative Harrelson, the bill sponsor, explained that petitions exist because independent candidates do not run in a primary; the petition step narrows the general election field. Harrelson expressed support for the amendment and asked for a vote.

The House voice vote recorded the amendment as adopted; no roll‑call tally was recorded in the transcript. After adoption, House Bill 173 was ordered to be read a third time.

Ending: The amendment alters filing practice for independent candidates by allowing a short period after filing to complete petition requirements; the bill will proceed to third reading with the new timeline in place.