H-3980

AN ACT Relating to initiatives and referendums; amending RCW 29.81.010; adding a new section to chapter 29.79 RCW; and adding a new section to chapter 42.17 RCW.

BE IT ENACTED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF WASHINGTON:

NEW SECTION. Sec. 1. A new section is added to chapter 29.79 RCW to read as follows:

When a state initiative campaign uses paid signature gatherers to collect signatures for a petition that proposes a measure for submission to the people under RCW 29.79.100 or a petition that orders an act or parts of acts passed by the legislature be referred to the people under RCW 29.79.110, the petition shall contain the following statement:

IN ACCORDANCE WITH STATE LAW NOTIFICATION REQUIREMENTS, THIS CAMPAIGN IS USING OR HAS USED PAID STAFF TO COLLECT SIGNATURES ON BEHALF OF THIS INITIATIVE.

The statement shall be the same type size as the language of the petition, it shall be in capital letters, and it shall be placed above the language of the petition.

NEW SECTION. Sec. 2. A new section is added to chapter 42.17 RCW to read as follows:

When a ballot proposition uses or has used paid signature gatherers to collect signatures, the ballot proposition shall contain the following statement:

IN ACCORDANCE WITH STATE LAW NOTIFICATION REQUIREMENTS, THIS CAMPAIGN IS USING OR HAS USED PAID STAFF TO COLLECT SIGNATURES ON BEHALF OF THIS INITIATIVE.

(1) In print advertising, including but not limited to, mailings, newspaper advertisements, and billboards, the statement shall be placed, in a minimum twelve point type size, directly above or below the identification of the sponsor required by RCW 42.17.510.

(2) In radio and television advertising, the statement shall be included after the identification of the sponsor required by RCW 42.17.510.

Sec. 3. RCW 29.81.010 and 1984 c 54 s 4 are each amended to read as follows:

The voters' pamphlet shall contain as to each state measure to be voted upon, the following in the order set forth in this section:

(1) Upon the top portion of the first two opposing pages relating to the measure and not exceeding one-third of the total printing area shall appear:

(a) The legal identification of the measure by serial designation and number;

(b) The official ballot title of the measure;

(d) A brief statement explaining the effect of the proposed measure should it be approved into law;

(e) The total number of votes cast for and against the measure in both the state senate and house of representatives if the measure has been passed by the legislature;

(f) A heavy double ruled line across both pages to clearly set apart the above items from the remaining text.

(2) Upon the lower portion of the left page of the two facing pages shall appear an argument advocating the voters' approval of the measure together with any rebuttal statement of the opposing argument as provided in RCW 29.81.030, 29.81.040, or 29.81.050.

(3) Upon the lower portion of the right hand page of the two facing pages shall appear an argument advocating the voters' rejection of the measure together with any rebuttal statement of the opposing argument as provided in RCW 29.81.030, 29.81.040, or 29.81.050.

(4) Following each argument or rebuttal statement each member of the committee advocating for or against a measure shall be listed by name and address to the end that the public shall be fully apprised of the advocate's identity. Also, following each argument or rebuttal statement, the secretary of state shall list, at the option of the committee that submitted the argument or statement, a telephone number that citizens may call in order to obtain information on the ballot measure.

(5) When a measure that uses or has used paid signature gatherers to collect signatures is contained in the voters' pamphlet, the following statement shall be included in twelve-point type:

IN ACCORDANCE WITH STATE LAW NOTIFICATION REQUIREMENTS, THIS CAMPAIGN IS USING OR HAS USED PAID STAFF TO COLLECT SIGNATURES ON BEHALF OF THIS INITIATIVE.

(6) At the conclusion of the pamphlet the full text of each of the measures shall appear. The text of the proposed constitutional amendments shall be set forth in the form provided for in RCW 29.81.080.