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Clarifying paid-canvasser rules sparks sustained committee debate; sponsor withdraws motion to pass
Summary
House Bill 17 14, intended to clarify what counts as compensation for petition signature gatherers, drew extended opposition from witnesses and senators concerned the language would turn ordinary volunteer support (food, water, travel) into reportable paid activity. The sponsor withdrew a motion to pass and will revise the draft.
Little Rock — A bill intended to clarify the legal line between volunteer and paid petition canvassers prompted lengthy testimony and a motion withdrawal in the State Agencies & Governmental Affairs Committee.
House Bill 17 14 would explicitly treat certain items — including payment for food, lodging, travel and reimbursement for expenses — as “items of value” that convert a signature gatherer from a volunteer to a paid canvasser under state law. Sponsor Senator Kim Hammer and supporters said the measure simply clarifies existing law, which already bars paid canvassers from operating under the same rules as volunteers.
Opponents, including Dr. Gail Choate (who…
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