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Committee passes bill to require signatures from 50 counties for ballot initiatives; opponents call it unconstitutional

STATE AGENCIES & GOVT'L AFFAIRS-SENATE · February 16, 2023
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Summary

SB260 would raise the county‑signature minimum for citizen initiatives from 15 to 50 counties and increase the county share threshold; proponents said it reduces outside influence, while Common Ground and other witnesses argued the statutory changes conflict with Article 5 §1 and the 'unwarranted restrictions' clause.

Representative Kendon Underwood (House District 16) and Senate sponsors presented SB260 to raise the number of counties required to qualify a citizen‑initiated petition from the constitutional floor of 15 counties to a statutory minimum of 50 counties and to increase the fraction of designated electors required in each county. Proponents said the change would require broader geographic support and make it harder for well‑funded, out‑of‑state special…

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