The Missouri House has approved legislation aimed at increasing the transparency of initiative petitions that bypass the Legislature to put proposed laws or constitutional amendments on statewide ballots.
Sponsors of the petitions must gather signatures from registered voters for their proposal to qualify for the ballot.
Under the House legislation, the secretary of state's office would offer a public comment period after a proposal is submitted. For those proposals that actually qualify for the ballot, the Joint Committee on Legislative Research would hold a public hearing.
The bill would also make it a misdemeanor to intimidate or obstruct someone who is trying to sign an initiative petition.
The House approved the measure Thursday on a vote of 151-3. It now moves to the state Senate.
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