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Bill adding hurdles for constitutional amendments advances after fierce debate

Florida's Legislature is considering changes to the ballot initiative process, making it harder and costlier for citizens to amend the constitution due to HB 1205, which requires a $1 million bond and tighter deadlines for petitions.
Rep. Jenna Persons-Mulicka filed the bill to address alleged fraud in response to failed amendments on abortion and marijuana, stating it aims to protect the integrity of the petition process.
Critics, including community activists, argue that the bill would restrict citizens' ability to propose constitutional changes while favoring well-funded special interest groups.
Opponents contend that the bill will further alienate citizens and limit grassroots involvement in the initiative process.

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Marijuana Moment

+2 Reposted by 2 other sources

Florida Lawmakers Approve Bill Making It Harder To Put Initiatives On Ballot As Marijuana Legalization Campaign Pursues 2026 Effort

Florida Republican lawmakers are working to impose significant restrictions on the ability to put initiatives on the ballot—a plan that could impair efforts to let voters decide on marijuana legalization next year. Gov. Ron DeSantis (R)—who strongly advocated against a 2024 legalization proposal that ultimately failed to achieve a steep 60 percent vote threshold—pitched the idea to lawmakers, calling for changes to the petition gathering process…

5 days ago

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Tallahassee Reports

Lawmakers Back Restrictions on Ballot Initiatives

By Jim Turner, The News Service of Florida TALLAHASSEE — After fierce — and expensive — political battles last year about abortion rights and recreational marijuana, Florida lawmakers Thursday began moving forward with a proposal that would place additional restrictions on the ballot-initiative process. Gov. Ron DeSantis has made the issue a priority after he led efforts that in November defeated initiatives aimed at enshrining abortion rights i…

Florida bill to change petition process decried as aiding special interests

Changing the ballot initiative process is one of Gov. Ron DeSantis' priorities this session.

6 days ago·Tampa, United States

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Sun-Sentinel

Florida lawmakers back bill to make it harder to get initiatives on ballot

TALLAHASSEE — After fierce — and expensive — political battles last year about abortion rights and recreational marijuana, Florida lawmakers Thursday began moving forward with a proposal that would place additional restrictions on the ballot-initiative process. Gov. Ron DeSantis has made the issue a priority after he led efforts that in November defeated initiatives aimed at enshrining abortion rights in the state Constitution and allowing recre…

6 days ago·Deerfield Beach, United States

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Florida Phoenix

Proposal to make vast changes to ballot petition process draws huge opposition — but still advances

Anti-abortion and pro-abortion people rally outside of the Florida Supreme Court on Feb. 7, 2024, after the oral argument on the proposed amendment to enshrine abortion-rights in the Florida Constitution. (Photo by Jackie Llanos/Florida Phoenix) A bill that would radically change Florida’s citizen-led constitutional amendment process received its first hearing in the Legislature on Thursday, where dozens of Floridians warned it would deal a majo…

6 days ago

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