Initiative and referendum; establishing requirements for gist of proposition; establishing requirements for collection of signatures; requiring certain disclosures. Emergency.
SB 1027 modifies Oklahoma's initiative process by shortening the deadline for collecting signatures from 90 to 10 days. It also changes signature verification timelines from 90 to 180 days and requires new disclosures for initiative petitions. The bill directly affects citizens and organizations seeking to place measures on the ballot through citizen initiatives. These changes streamline the signature-gathering process while adding specific disclosure requirements.
Bill statussignedall 5 stages cleared
Introduction
Feb 2025
Committee Review
May 2025
Senate Passage
May 2025
House Passage
May 2025
Signed into Law
May 2025
Introduced Feb 3, 2025Signed May 27, 2025
Maddy AI version diff · 11 comparisons
What changed between versions
Floor (House)→Floor (Senate)·1 edit
MINOR
The bill was revised from the House version to the Senate version, primarily updating the legislative metadata and sponsor lists. The substantive text of the act remains identical, detailing requirements for initiative and referendum petitions, including the need for a 'gist' statement, fiscal impact disclosures, and affidavit verification by circulators.
TECHNICAL
Updated the header to reflect the Senate Floor Version and changed the session description to 'Committee Substitute' with updated sponsor names and dates.
The bill was converted from a Senate draft to a House floor version, incorporating committee amendments that significantly tighten regulations on initiative and referendum petitions. Key changes include adding a mandatory 'Warning' statement on signature sheets to deter fraud, requiring petition circulators to be registered voters who verify signatures via notarized affidavit, and establishing strict guidelines for the 'gist' of the proposition to prevent deceptive language.
Scope change
The bill's scope expanded to include specific procedural requirements for petition circulation and signature verification that were not present in the original Senate version.
REQUIREMENT
Added a mandatory 'Warning' statement on signature sheets informing the public that signing with a false name or multiple times is a felony.
Established detailed rules for the 'gist' of the proposition, requiring it to be simple, non-deceptive, and include fiscal impact information.
Required the Secretary of State to affirm that the proposition's gist complies with legal requirements before it is accepted.
ELIGIBILITY
Required that all petition circulators must be registered voters in Oklahoma.
ENFORCEMENT
Mandated that circulators must verify signatures by executing a notarized affidavit confirming the signer's identity and legal voting status.
The bill was amended to replace the original Floor Substitute with a new version introduced by Senator Kirt. The most significant substantive change involves shortening the deadline for filing petitions from 90 days to 10 days, while simultaneously extending the deadline for collecting signatures from 90 days to 180 days. Other changes include removing specific language regarding the Secretary of State's duties to publish notices and allowing citizens to file protests, as well as deleting a section on financial disclosures and compensation requirements.
Scope change
The bill's scope regarding petition timelines has been significantly altered to create a much shorter window for initial filing but a longer window for gathering signatures.
TIMELINE
Reduced the deadline for filing an initiative or referendum petition with the Secretary of State from 90 days to 10 days.
Extended the deadline for circulating and collecting signatures on a petition from 90 days to 180 days.
REQUIREMENT
Deleted requirements for the Secretary of State to publish notices about petition filings and the ability for citizens to file protests regarding constitutionality.
Removed a section requiring reports on contributions, compensation, and expenditures related to petition circulation.
TECHNICAL
Removed specific language regarding the Secretary of State's duty to verify signatures and the format of the circulator's affidavit.
The bill was changed from a 'Committee Substitute' to a 'Floor Substitute,' indicating it has been revised by the full legislature. Key substantive changes include updating the warning text on petitions to specify that signing with a false name or voting twice is a felony for 'legal voters of this state,' and significantly expanding the circulator's affidavit to require verification of the signer's county of residence and date of birth. Additionally, the bill now explicitly states that petitions and signatures are public records under the Oklahoma Open Records Act.
REQUIREMENT
Updated the legal warning on petitions to clarify that signing with a false name or voting twice is a felony specifically for 'legal voters of this state.'
Added a requirement that petitions and all signatures are public records subject to the Oklahoma Open Records Act.
Expanded the circulator's affidavit to require verification of the signer's county of residence and date of birth, replacing previous vague language about voter registration records.
Added a requirement for the Secretary of State to establish specific procedures for removing signatures that violate petition requirements.
House Committee Substitute for Senate Bill→Committee Substitute·4 edits
MODERATE
This bill amends Oklahoma's initiative and referendum laws to modernize petition requirements, clarify circulator qualifications, and establish new procedures for handling protests against petitions. Key changes include updating the affidavit form to require circulators to be 'qualified electors' rather than just 'registered voters,' adding a requirement for a fiscal impact statement on the ballot title, and creating a formal process for the Supreme Court to review protests regarding petition sufficiency.
Scope change
The bill expands the scope of the initiative and referendum process by adding specific requirements for fiscal impact disclosures and establishing a new judicial review mechanism for petition protests.
ELIGIBILITY
Changed the qualification for petition circulators from 'registered voter' to 'qualified elector,' broadening who can circulate petitions.
REQUIREMENT
Added a requirement that ballot titles must include a statement indicating whether the measure has a fiscal impact on the state and the potential funding source.
ENFORCEMENT
Established a new process where the Supreme Court must schedule a hearing to review protests filed against the constitutionality or sufficiency of a petition.
TECHNICAL
Updated the affidavit form used by circulators to reflect the new 'qualified elector' language and adjusted the page numbering and formatting.
The bill was completely rewritten by the House Committee, replacing the original text with a new version that adds a separate, standalone ballot title requirement. This change ensures the official summary of a measure is distinct from the petition itself, likely to improve clarity and reduce confusion for voters. The new text also updates formatting references and adds a requirement for noncodification.
Scope change
The bill's scope was significantly altered by replacing the entire measure with a new version that introduces a specific procedural requirement for filing a separate ballot title before circulating a petition.
REQUIREMENT
Added a mandatory requirement for proponents to file a separate ballot title that is not printed on the petition itself.
Added a provision for noncodification, requiring the bill to be excluded from the official code until a specific date.
TECHNICAL
Updated page numbers, request numbers, and committee headers to reflect the House Committee Substitute version.
The bill was reclassified from an 'Oversight' bill to a 'Policy' bill, indicating a shift in its legislative focus from monitoring existing laws to creating new rules. The primary substantive change is a technical update to the bill's reference number, changing it from 13496 to 13420, while the core text regarding initiative and referendum procedures remains unchanged.
Scope change
The bill's scope remains focused on initiative and referendum procedures, but its classification changed from Oversight to Policy.
TECHNICAL
The bill title and header were changed from 'PROPOSED OVERSIGHT COMMITTEE SUBSTITUTE' to 'PROPOSED POLICY COMMITTEE SUBSTITUTE'.
The bill's unique reference number was updated from Req. No. 13496 to Req. No. 13420.
The date and time stamp was updated from April 14, 2025, to April 7, 2025.
The committee substitute completely rewrites the bill, removing the original list of Senate and House sponsors and replacing the legislative text with a new version. The substantive policy content regarding initiative and referendum procedures appears to remain largely identical to the original enrolled bill, with no significant changes to eligibility, funding, or requirements.
Scope change
The bill's scope and applicability remain unchanged; the text describes the same initiative and referendum processes under 34 O.S. 2021.
TECHNICAL
Removed the original list of Senate and House sponsors and bill metadata.
Added new header information indicating this is a 'Proposed Oversight Committee Substitute' from the House of Representatives.
Replaced the original legislative text with a re-typed version that includes page numbers and line numbers, but the actual legal provisions regarding petitions and signatures appear unchanged.
The bill was finalized as an enrolled version, adding new sponsors and changing the legal status from 'engrossed' to 'enrolled'. Substantively, the bill modifies the petition circulation process by requiring circulators to be registered voters rather than just qualified electors, changes the protest filing deadline to 90 days, and adds a requirement for the Secretary of State to affirm that the petition's summary (gist) meets legal standards before it is accepted.
Scope change
The bill's scope expanded to include provisions for the Secretary of State to affirm the validity of the petition's summary and to establish procedures for removing invalid signatures, in addition to updating the protest timeline and circulator eligibility.
ELIGIBILITY
Changed the requirement for petition circulators from being a 'qualified elector' to being a 'registered voter'.
TIMELINE
Updated the deadline for citizens to file a protest regarding the constitutionality of a petition from an unspecified timeframe to exactly 90 days after publication.
REQUIREMENT
Added a new requirement for the Secretary of State to affirm that the petition's summary (gist) conforms to legal standards and to remove any summaries that violate these rules.
Added a requirement for the Secretary of State to establish specific procedures for removing signatures from petitions that violate the law.
TECHNICAL
Updated the list of bill sponsors to reflect the final enrolled version, which includes additional names not present in the earlier engrossed draft.
Amended And Engrossed→Engrossed·3 edits·May 21, 2025
MINOR
The bill was renumbered from a House Amendment to the original Senate Bill, and the text was updated to reflect the final version. The most significant substantive change is the replacement of the requirement that petition circulators be 'registered voters' with a new requirement that they be 'qualified electors,' which broadens the pool of eligible people who can collect signatures. Additionally, the bill now explicitly requires proponents to file a separate ballot title with the Secretary of State before circulating the petition.
Scope change
The bill's scope regarding who can circulate signatures was expanded by changing the eligibility criteria from 'registered voters' to 'qualified electors.'
ELIGIBILITY
Changed the requirement for petition circulators from being a 'registered voter' to being a 'qualified elector,' allowing more individuals to collect signatures.
REQUIREMENT
Added a new requirement that proponents must file a separate ballot title with the Secretary of State before the petition is circulated or signed.
TECHNICAL
Updated the document header to reflect that this is the 'Engrossed Senate Bill' rather than a House Amendment, and adjusted page numbering.
Introduced→Amended And Engrossed·6 edits·May 21, 2025
MODERATE
The bill was amended to significantly expand its scope from a single section to multiple sections covering initiative and referendum processes. Key changes include adding a requirement that anyone circulating a petition must be a registered voter, establishing new rules for the 'gist' of a proposition to ensure clarity and neutrality, and mandating that petition signatures serve as an attestation of the signer's identity and legal status.
Scope change
The bill's scope expanded from amending only Section 3 of the Oklahoma Statutes to also amending Sections 6 and 8, adding new requirements for petition circulation and ballot titles.
ELIGIBILITY
Added a requirement that any person circulating a petition must be a registered voter of the state.
REQUIREMENT
Established specific content requirements for the 'gist' of a proposition, including basic language, avoidance of jargon, and fiscal impact disclosures.
Required a statement on petitions informing the public that they are subject to the Oklahoma Open Records Act.
Added requirements for the Secretary of State to affirm that gists conform to statutory standards.
ENFORCEMENT
Authorized the Secretary of State to remove gists that violate the new clarity and neutrality requirements.
DEFINITION
Updated the definition of a 'pamphlet' and the warning statement regarding felony penalties for false signatures.
Floor votes · Senate Mar 18, 2025 · House May 7, 2025
How they voted
37–8
Passed · 4 other
Total votes 49
Mar 18, 2025
D
Democratic9
1 Yea8 Nay
88% Nay
R
Republican40
36 Yea4
90% Yea
Your representatives
Vote distribution
All YeaAll NayMixedNo data
70–22
Passed · 7 other
Total votes 99
May 7, 2025
D
Democratic18
17 Nay1
94% Nay
R
Republican81
70 Yea5 Nay6
86% Yea
Your representatives
Vote distribution
All YeaAll NayMixedNo data
Full legislative history
Actions timeline
Total actions
44
Key actions
10
Committee
7
Amendments
1
May 27, 2025
Signed into law
Approved by Governor 05/23/2025
upper
May 21, 2025
Executive-Receipt
Sent to Governor
upper
May 21, 2025
Other
Signed, returned to Senate
lower
May 21, 2025
Other
Enrolled, to House
upper
May 21, 2025
Other
Coauthored by Senator Burns
upper
May 21, 2025
Committee
Referred for enrollment
upper
May 21, 2025
Upper · Passed
Measure and Emergency passed: Ayes: 39 Nays: 7
upper
May 21, 2025
Upper · Passed
HAs adopted
upper
May 13, 2025
Other
Coauthored by Senator Bergstrom
upper
May 8, 2025
Other
HAs read
upper
May 8, 2025
Lower · Passed
Engrossed, signed, to Senate
lower
May 7, 2025
Committee
Referred for engrossment
lower
May 7, 2025
Lower · Passed
Third Reading, Measure and Emergency passed: Ayes: 69 Nays: 23; Ayes: 70 Nays: 21
lower
May 7, 2025
Other
Coauthored by Representative(s) Moore, Townley, Duel, Turner, Burns, Maynard
lower
May 7, 2025
Other
General Order
lower
Apr 16, 2025
Other
Coauthored by Representative(s) Adams, Steagall
lower
Apr 16, 2025
Lower · Passed
CR; Do Pass, amended by committee substitute Government Oversight Committee
lower
Apr 9, 2025
Other
Coauthored by Senator(s) Stewart, Pederson
lower
Apr 9, 2025
Other
Coauthored by Representative(s) West (Kevin)
lower
Apr 9, 2025
Lower · Passed
Policy recommendation to the Government Oversight committee; Do Pass, amended by committee substitute Elections and Ethics
lower
Apr 1, 2025
Committee
Referred to Elections and Ethics
lower
Apr 1, 2025
Reading-2
Second Reading referred to Government Oversight
lower
Mar 24, 2025
Introduced
First Reading
lower
Mar 24, 2025
Upper · Passed
Engrossed to House
upper
Mar 18, 2025
Committee
Referred for engrossment
upper
Mar 18, 2025
Upper · Passed
Measure and Emergency passed: Ayes: 36 Nays: 8
upper
Mar 18, 2025
Introduced
General Order, Amended by Floor Substitute
upper
Mar 17, 2025
Other
Coauthored by Senator Gillespie
upper
Mar 12, 2025
Other
Coauthored by Senator Alvord
upper
Mar 11, 2025
Other
Coauthored by Senator Prieto
upper
Mar 11, 2025
Other
Coauthored by Senator Hamilton
upper
Mar 6, 2025
Other
Coauthored by Senator Hines
upper
Mar 6, 2025
Other
Coauthored by Senator Grellner
upper
Mar 6, 2025
Other
Coauthored by Senator Deevers
upper
Mar 6, 2025
Other
Placed on General Order
upper
Mar 5, 2025
Other
Coauthored by Senator McIntosh
upper
Mar 4, 2025
Other
Coauthored by Senator Jett
upper
Mar 4, 2025
Other
Coauthored by Representative Hilbert (principal House author)
upper
Mar 4, 2025
Upper · Passed
Reported Do Pass, amended by committee substitute Judiciary committee; CR filed
upper
Feb 4, 2025
Other
Coauthored by Senator Paxton
upper
Feb 4, 2025
Other
Remove as author Senator Paxton; authored by Senator Bullard
