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GA HB1279
Bill
Status
Introduced
2/15/2024
Primary Sponsor
Shea Roberts
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AI Summary
- Establishes procedures for citizens to propose statutory changes and constitutional amendments through direct initiative petitions and referendums, allowing qualified measures to be placed on the general election ballot
- Creates a 12-member Direct Initiative and Referendum Committee (6 senators and 6 representatives, split equally between majority and minority leadership picks) to review and approve petition forms, with the Secretary of State serving as a backstop if the committee deadlocks or rejects a petition
- Requires petition sponsors to pay a $1,000 filing fee, collect the constitutionally required number of signatures within one year, hold public hearings in every congressional district after reaching 50% of required signatures, and use only registered Georgia electors with no fraud-related misdemeanors or felony history as circulators
- Classifies petition sponsors as campaign committees subject to full financial reporting and disclosure requirements, prohibits the use of public funds to advocate for or against ballot questions, and imposes felony penalties (1–10 years imprisonment and/or up to $100,000 fine) for impeding the signature verification process or intimidating persons involved
- Takes effect January 1, 2025, contingent on ratification of a corresponding amendment to the Georgia Constitution authorizing direct initiative and referendum processes; automatically repeals if the amendment is not ratified
Legislative Description
Representative Democracy Enforcement Act; enact
Last Action
House Second Readers
2/20/2024
Committee Referrals
Governmental Affairs2/16/2024
Full Bill Text
No bill text available