| Washington State House of Representatives Office of Program Research |
BILL ANALYSIS |
| State Government & Tribal Affairs Committee | |
HB 2019
This analysis was prepared by non-partisan legislative staff for the use of legislative members in
their deliberations. This analysis is not a part of the legislation nor does it constitute a
statement of legislative intent.
Brief Description: Requiring signature gatherers of ballot measure petitions to sign petition declarations under oath.
Sponsors: Representatives McDermott, Ormsby, Appleton, Miloscia, Hunt, Kessler, Hasegawa and Kenney.
Brief Summary of Bill |
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Hearing Date: 2/9/07
Staff: Colleen Kerr (786-7168).
Background:
In 2005, the Legislature passed law requiring a declaration be printed on the back of initiative
and referendum petitions. The declaration states:
I, . . . . . . . . . . . ., swear or affirm under penalty of law that I circulated this sheet of the
foregoing petition, and that, to the best of my knowledge, every person who signed this sheet
of the foregoing petition knowingly and without any compensation or promise of
compensation willingly signed his or her true name and that the information provided
therewith is true and correct. I further acknowledge that under chapter 29A.84 RCW, forgery
of signatures on this petition constitutes a class C felony, and that offering any consideration
or gratuity to any person to induce them to sign a petition is a gross misdemeanor, such
violations being punishable by fine or imprisonment or both.
In 2006, upon request, the Attorney General published an opinion stating that the law as passed
does not require a signature gatherer to actually sign the petition.
Summary of Bill:
Lines for signature, date, name, and address are added to the declaration printed on the back of
the petition. Language is added that signing the declaration constitutes an oath and subjects the
signatory to the penalty of law. Failure to sign the declaration is grounds for the Secretary of
State to refuse to file the declaration.
Appropriation: None.
Fiscal Note: Requested on February 8, 2007.
Effective Date: The bill contains an emergency clause and takes effect immediately.