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WA SB5973
Bill
Status
1/12/2026
Primary Sponsor
Javier Valdez
Click for details
AI Summary
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Prohibits paying signature gatherers based on the number of signatures collected for initiative or referendum petitions, citing documented fraud cases in Washington from 2008-2013 involving forged signatures and fabricated petition sheets
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Requires sponsors to collect at least 1,000 voter signatures before filing a proposed initiative or referendum with the secretary of state, addressing concerns about duplicative filings (e.g., 64 measures filed by one person in 2023, 18 identical versions of one measure in 2024)
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Authorizes private citizens to bring civil actions against measure sponsors or signature-gathering entities that violate the per-signature compensation ban, with penalties up to $10,000 per violation and attorney fee recovery for prevailing plaintiffs
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Amends RCW 29A.72.010, 29A.72.020, and 29A.72.030 to integrate the new 1,000-signature threshold into the existing initiative and referendum filing process, requiring secretary of state verification before ballot title drafting begins
Legislative Description
Protecting the integrity of the state initiative and referendum process by requiring a demonstration of support before issuance of a ballot measure title and authorizing citizen actions for certain signature gatherer compensation violations.
Last Action
Senate Rules "X" file.
2/26/2026