Referendum measures; authorize general laws and constitutional amendments to be initiated through public petition process

HB 14 proposes adding a citizen initiative process to Alabama's constitution, allowing voters to directly propose new general laws or constitutional amendments. To qualify, citizens must first gather 1,000 verified signatures (with a $1,000 refundable fee), then collect signatures equaling 7% of the previous gubernatorial election votes (with minimum district representation) within two years. The proposal would be published online for 90 days, reviewed by the Legislature during its regular session, and treated like any other bill - though it would not require the Governor's signature. This process would apply to both general laws and constitutional amendments, subject to the same legal constraints as legislative proposals.