This bill:

• requires an individual who gathers a statement requesting removal of a petition signer's signature to be at least 18 years old;
• beginning on May 6, 2026, requires a paid signature removal statement gatherer to:
  • display a badge disclosing certain information while gathering the statement; and
  • verify, on the statement, certain information about the individual who signs the statement;
• beginning on May 6, 2026, requires a signature removal statement, if collected by a paid gatherer, to include a notice that removing the signer's signature may prevent the initiative or referendum from appearing on the ballot;
• prohibits a person from paying a person to gather a signature removal statement unless the payment is based on an hourly rate;
• prohibits a person from using an initiative or referendum petition signer's email address for any non-petition related purpose;
• prohibits a voter from submitting a signature removal statement by mail using prepaid postage;
• creates an exception to the prohibition described above if a signature removal statement submitted by mail using prepaid postage is postmarked on or before the effective date of this bill;
• provides that, in certain circumstances, a county clerk may not refuse to certify an initiative or referendum petition signature solely because the date written next to the signature contains a one-calendar-year error;
• expands existing criminal penalties in relation to the initiative and referendum process by prohibiting an individual from:
  • making certain misrepresentations while the individual gathers petition signatures or signature removal statements; or
  • providing or offering to provide money, prepaid postage, or any direct financial benefit to an individual to remove the individual's signature from a petition;
• includes a coordination clause creating an exception to the prohibition in H.B. 32, Signature Gathering and Verification Amendments, on certifying a petition signature dated after the submission deadline when the date qualifies for the one-calendar-year error provision created by this bill; and
• makes technical and conforming changes.