SB1329 - 452R - House Bill Summary

House of Representatives

SB 1329

referendum; required signatures

Sponsors: Senators Mitchell, Arzberger, Brown, et al.

X	Committee on Judiciary
	Committee on Public Institutions & Rural Affairs
	Committee on Counties & Municipalities
	Caucus and COW
	Third Read
	As Passed the House

SB 1329 allows cities and towns, upon approval, to create and utilize alternative means for computing the number of signatures necessary in the referendum petition process.

History

Currently in cities and towns, persons or organizations that wish to file a referendum petition against an ordinance, resolution or franchise must gather a number of valid voter signatures equal to ten percent of the whole number of vote cast in the last mayoral or council election. The rezoning of a parcel of property is also subject to these same requirements.

Provisions

· Specifies that cities and towns may not change the number of required signatures for an initiative or referendum after the required application has been filed with the elections officer.

· Allows cities and towns to choose one of the following as the basis by which the number of required signatures needed to place a referendum on the ballot is computed:

1. The number of persons who voted in the last election.

2. The number of qualified electors in the city or town at the time of the last election.

· Stipulates that before cities and towns use either alternative basis by which the number of required signatures needed to place a referendum on the ballot is computed at least one of the following must occur:

Ø For a charter city, a charter amendment is adopted by the qualified electors of the charter city that provides for the alternative basis.

Ø For a city or town other than a charter city, the city or town council that provides for the alternative basis adopts an ordinance to that effect.

Ø The qualified electors of the city or town that provides for the alternative basis approve an initiative measure to that effect.

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Ø 45th Legislature