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Committee adopts deadlines for petition submittals, passes SB 226 18–1
Summary
The committee chose a fixed-deadline approach over a rolling-submission model for petition submittals, adopting Amendment 2.2 and passing Senate Bill 226 as amended, 18–1. Sponsors and clerks said fixed deadlines reduce administrative burden and last-minute signature dumps.
House State Administration adopted Amendment 2.2 and passed Senate Bill 226 (Senator Cuff) as amended, 18–1. The bill addresses the timing for petition drop-off and signature submittals for initiated measures. Committee staff described two competing amendments: Amendment 2.1, requested by the Secretary of State, would maintain a rolling submission on four-week intervals; Amendment 2.2 would set two specific deadlines to prevent large end-of-cycle submissions.
Representative Feyant and Representative Rexton urged support for Amendment 2.2, saying it eases administrative burdens for county clerks and signature gatherers. Opponents of rolling submissions argued the last cycle’s large boxes of signatures overwhelmed election administrators and risked encouraging outside money to step in if grassroots volunteers are discouraged.
Vice Chair Quorum moved adoption of Amendment 2.2; the committee approved the amendment by voice vote, then approved SB 226 as amended on a roll-call vote, 18 ayes to 1 nay. A member volunteered to carry the bill to the floor. The committee record shows clerks and some opponents participated in drafting 2.2, according to Ms. Power.
