Initiative and referendum; filing and signature gathering of petitions; increasing time limit for filing objection; emergency.

This bill modifies Oklahoma's laws regarding the process for citizens to propose new laws or constitutional amendments through initiative petitions or to challenge existing laws via referendum petitions. It requires proponents to file a $1,000 fee with the Secretary of State, which can be reimbursed if the petition qualifies for the ballot, and mandates that individuals gathering signatures undergo a criminal history investigation. The legislation also extends the time limit for filing legal objections to the constitutionality of a petition from ten to ninety days and sets specific deadlines for signature gathering, ranging from fifteen to thirty days for initiatives and ninety days for referendums. Additionally, it outlines procedures for petition withdrawal and requires the Secretary of State to report signature counts to the Supreme Court for final determination.