MS HB559

Allows petitions proposing initiative measures to be signed using electronic or digital signatures, rather than only handwritten signatures.

Requires the Secretary of State to establish requirements and standards for how electronic or digital signatures may be used on initiative petitions.

Prohibits the person circulating the petition from using electronic or digital signatures to sign their own name on each page of the petition, which must remain a handwritten signature per the state constitution.

Amends the petition form language to indicate that signers may have "authorized" an electronic or digital signature in addition to personally signing.

Takes effect July 1, 2014.