BILL · 2005–06 SESSION · LATEST VERSION EHB 2478

HB 2478: Ballot measures

Clarifying laws on ballot measures.

Summary

Changes the number of days in which to appeal an explanatory statement on a constitutional amendment from 10 days to five days, excluding Saturdays, Sundays, and legal holidays;
Changes the number of days in which to appeal the Secretary of State's decision not to file an initiative or referendum petition from 10 days to five days;
Requires recall petitions to contain the same circulator declaration that appears on initiative and referendum petitions; and
Creates the penalty of gross misdemeanor for circulation of a ballot measure petition supporting a measure different from the actual measure attached to the petition.

From the House Bill Report (HB 2478), written by the Legislature's nonpartisan staff. Read the full report ↗

Did not pass Did not pass · passed House, stalled in Senate

AN ACT Relating to ballot measures;

Passed February 8, 2006

Version voted on: EHB 2478

89 Yea 6 Nay 0 Absent 3 Excused

Party	Yea	Nay	Absent	Excused
Democrat	54	0	0	2
Republican	35	6	0	1

How each member voted

Mar 8, 2006By resolution, returned to House Rules Committee for third reading. (EHB 2478)
Feb 20, 2006Passed to Rules Committee for second reading. (EHB 2478)
Feb 20, 2006Minority; without recommendation. (EHB 2478)
Feb 20, 2006Minority; do not pass. (EHB 2478)
Feb 20, 2006GO - Majority; do pass. (EHB 2478)
Feb 10, 2006First reading, referred to Government Operations & Elections. (EHB 2478)
Feb 8, 2006Third reading, passed; yeas, 89; nays, 6; absent, 0; excused, 3. (EHB 2478)
Feb 8, 2006Rules suspended. Placed on Third Reading. (EHB 2478)
Feb 8, 2006Floor amendment(s) adopted. (EHB 2478)
Jan 26, 2006Placed on second reading by Rules Committee. (EHB 2478)
Jan 24, 2006Passed to Rules Committee for second reading. (EHB 2478)
Jan 20, 2006Minority; without recommendation. (EHB 2478)
Jan 20, 2006SGOA - Majority; do pass. (EHB 2478)
Jan 20, 2006SGOA - Executive action taken by committee. (EHB 2478)
Jan 9, 2006First reading, referred to State Government Operations & Accountability. (EHB 2478)
Jan 6, 2006Prefiled for introduction. (EHB 2478)

Bill numbers restart every two years, so the same number is a different bill in each session.

HB 2478 (2025–26) Wage enforcement discretion · Did not pass · stalled on the House floor
HB 2478 (2023–24) Postconviction review · Did not pass · died in committee
HB 2478 (2019–20) Sports wagering · Did not pass · died in committee
HB 2478 (2017–18) Write-in voting · Did not pass · died in committee
HB 2478 (2015–16) Pollinator forage preserv. · Enacted · Chapter 44, Laws of 2016
HB 2478 (2013–14) Water pollution control · Did not pass · died in committee
HB 2478 (2011–12) Higher ed student auditing · Did not pass · died in committee
HB 2478 (2009–10) Health care providers · Did not pass · died in committee