AZ HB2647

Allows political committees to submit proposed initiative or referendum text to the legislative council director for review of drafting errors, conflicting provisions, and conflicts with state and federal law before filing petitions.

Legislative council staff must complete review within 30 days and may provide recommendations, which the proposing organization may accept, modify, or reject at its sole discretion.

Changes petition signature fraud statute to clarify that "collects for filing" rather than "submits" petition sheets constitutes fraud when sheets contain signatures of people who did not actually sign.

Adds protection for persons paid to collect signatures who report suspected fraudulent collection to filing officer and refuse to file suspect signatures.

Increases penalty to class 4 felony and imposes 5-year prohibition from participating in elections, initiatives, referendums, or recalls for persons convicted of a pattern of petition signature fraud (employing subcontractors with five or more fraud convictions in an election cycle).

Requires secretary of state to maintain and publish a list of persons barred from participating in campaigns due to petition signature fraud convictions.

Clarifies ballot measure numbering and requires that measure numbers and yes/no language be posted on secretary of state's website before official ballots and publicity pamphlets are printed.