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The Spokesman-Review Newspaper
Spokane, Washington  Est. May 19, 1883

Key Provisions Cut From Initiative Bill

From Staff And Wire Reports

Legislation designed to change the initiative process is headed to a final vote in the House, but without two of its major provisions.

The House voted Monday to amend the legislation to remove a requirement that initiative drives must last no more than 12 months, and that sponsors must turn in at least 25 percent of the required signatures within six months.

The amended legislation would give initiative backers 18 months to collect signatures, and require each printed petition to declare whether it is being circulated by a paid staffer or a volunteer.

Democrats were defeated in an effort to remove the bill’s main remaining provision, that initiatives must get signatures from at least half of the counties. “That would make it extremely difficult to get initiatives qualified for the ballot without turning to paid signature gatherers,” said Rep. Margaret Henbest, D-Boise.

Rep. Mark Stubbs, R-Twin Falls, countered, “It requires the signature gatherers to go out in the counties and contact all the counties.”

, DataTimes