S-0250.1 _______________________________________________
SENATE BILL 5014
_______________________________________________
State of Washington 53rd Legislature 1993 Regular Session
By Senators Nelson and West
Read first time 01/11/93. Referred to Committee on Government Operations.
AN ACT Relating to solicitation of signatures on initiative and referendum petitions; amending RCW 29.79.490; adding a new section to chapter 29.79 RCW; creating a new section; prescribing penalties; and declaring an emergency.
BE IT ENACTED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF WASHINGTON:
NEW SECTION. Sec. 1. The legislature recognizes that soliciting signatures on an initiative or referendum petition is a constitutionally protected activity and that paying a salary to an individual for soliciting petition signatures may not be prohibited. However, the legislature declares that there is a strong state interest in assuring that there is no fraud practiced in obtaining signatures on initiative and referendum petitions and that compensation paid and received for soliciting petition signatures that is based in whole or in part on the number of signatures collected creates an incentive to misrepresent the content or purpose of the petition.
NEW SECTION. Sec. 2. A new section is added to chapter 29.79 RCW to read as follows:
Paying or receiving compensation for soliciting signatures on an initiative or referendum petition is a gross misdemeanor punishable under chapter 9A.20 RCW if any of that compensation is based on the number of signatures collected in the course of or as a result of that solicitation.
Sec. 3. RCW 29.79.490 and 1975-'76 2nd ex.s. c 112 s 2 are each amended to read as follows:
Every person ((shall be)) is
guilty of a gross misdemeanor who:
(1) For any consideration or gratuity or promise thereof, signs or declines to sign any initiative or referendum petition; or
(2) ((Advertises in any manner that for or
without consideration, he will solicit or procure signatures upon or influence
or attempt to influence persons to sign or not to sign, to vote or not to vote
upon an initiative or referendum petition, or to vote for or against any
initiative or referendum; or
(3) For any consideration or gratuity or
promise thereof solicits or procures signatures upon an initiative or
referendum petition; or
(4)))
Gives or offers any consideration or gratuity to any person to induce him to
sign or not to sign((, or to solicit or procure signatures upon an
initiative or referendum petition,)) or to vote for or against any
initiative or referendum measure; or
(((5))) (3) Interferes with or
attempts to interfere with the right of any voter to sign or not to sign an
initiative or referendum petition or with the right to vote for or against an
initiative or referendum measure by threats, intimidation, or any other corrupt
means or practice((; or
(6) Receives, handles, distributes, pays out,
or gives away, directly or indirectly, money or any other thing of value
contributed by or received from any person, firm, association, or corporation
whose residence or principal office is, or the majority of whose members or
stockholders have their residence outside, the state of Washington, for any
service rendered for the purpose of aiding in procuring signatures upon any
initiative or referendum petition or for the purpose of aiding in the adoption
or rejection of any initiative or referendum measure: PROVIDED, That this
subsection shall not apply to or prohibit any activity which is properly
reported in accordance with the applicable provisions of chapter 42.17 RCW)).
NEW SECTION. Sec. 4. This act is necessary for the immediate preservation of the public peace, health, or safety, or support of the state government and its existing public institutions, and shall take effect immediately.
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