SCS SB 2 Summary

• Increases penalties for initiative petition signature fraud from class A misdemeanor (up to 1 year jail, $10,000 fine) to class D felony (up to 5 years, $1,000-$25,000 fine)

• Maintains class A misdemeanor penalties for referendum petition signature fraud (up to 1 year jail, $10,000 fine)

• Prohibits persons convicted of forgery offenses from serving as petition circulators; requires circulators to be at least 18 years old and registered with the secretary of state

• Establishes new crime of "petition signature fraud" covering fraudulent signature submission, use of fraudulent means to obtain signatures, and knowingly paying for signatures

• Creates requirement for joint committee on legislative research to hold public hearing within 30 days of petition certification and post hearing summary on secretary of state's website

• Changes timeline for secretary of state to approve/reject petition forms from 30 days to 15 days after submission

• Allows initiative petition withdrawal at any time with written notice to secretary of state; requires certification of official ballot title to be vacated within 3 days