HB 1509: Initiative review committees

Summary

• $ Requires the Secretary of State to create an initiative fiscal review committee for each initiative qualifying to the ballot. The committee prepares an advisory report on the fiscal impacts of the initiative measure that only includes information, findings, and opinions agreed to by all members.
• $ Requires the Secretary of State to create an initiative legal review committee for each initiative qualifying to the ballot. The committee prepares an advisory report on the legality of the initiative that only includes information, findings, and opinions agreed to by all members.
• $ Requires the initiative legal review committee to prepare a statement of its opinion whether the initiative is constitutional, not constitutional, or whether it is not clear if the initiative is constitutional. This statement is included in the state voters' pamphlet.
• $ Allows anyone dissatisfied with the legal review committee's opinion to appeal directly to the state Supreme Court for its expedited review of the constitutionality of the measure. The decision of the court is final and conclusive.

From the House Bill Analysis (HB 1509), written by the Legislature's nonpartisan staff. Read the full report ↗