"An Act relating to initiative, referendum, and recall petitions; and providing for an effective date. "

Using his experience from this past summer, Representative Jay Ramras has introduced legislation to reform the initiative, referendum, and recall process. House Bill 438 adds language to existing statutes, which would tighten the requirements for circulators, ensuring that they not be registered to vote in any other states. HB 438 will put into law that petition circulators can only be paid those monies authorized under statute, and that circulators cannot "double dip" at the trough by also collecting administrative fees.

Having spent a lot of time working on the 90 Day Legislative Session Initiative, including working with circulators, the Division of Elections, and the citizens of Alaska, Representative Ramras found that the newly instigated statues remain vague on specific issues that are addressed in this bill.

HB 438 will establish penalties for both sponsors who pay circulators and circulators who receive compensation, which are not permitted under statute. Optional training offered by the Division of Elections will become mandatory for sponsors. Sponsors will then become responsible for instructing their circulators as to the law. Sponsors will also be allowed to submit up to 2000 signatures for pre-qualification prior to filing the petition, which will help assure that rural Alaska is as relevant to the process as urban Alaska.

HB 438 will also serve to amend the recall process; by stating that a recall petition cannot be filed within 270 days from the termination date of the official's term of office. Additionally, a sponsor may file the petition only if signed by qualified voters equal in number to 30 percent of those who voted in the previous general election in the official's district.

This bill will serve as an excellent vehicle to improve the petition process in Alaska.

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