House orders study of electronic signatures for ballot petitions, sends HB 119 to Senate

The House approved HB 119 on Feb. 22, a measure directing the lieutenant governor to study whether electronic signatures could be used for ballot-petition signature gathering. Representative Chavez-Houck, the sponsor, said the bill establishes a framework and an 18‑month timeline for the lieutenant governor’s office to consider technology options, security measures (including PINs tied to DMV records), and potential pilots such as Arizona’s project.

The sponsor emphasized that the study does not change existing petition certification thresholds (which require signatures from 26 of 29 counties) or alter the legal bar for bringing petitions forward. Representatives questioned whether the lieutenant governor had already issued recommendations; the sponsor said an initial interim committee review had occurred and that the bill would give the office clearer direction and a formal framework for deeper study.

Floor debate covered trade-offs between convenience and safeguards. Supporters argued the study could modernize access to the initiative process; critics warned against making signature gathering too easy and weakening procedural safeguards. The House approved HB 119, 44–30, and the bill will be transmitted to the Senate.