Panel adopts amendment and advances bill tightening rules, penalties for paid canvassers

Senator Davis described an amendment to Senate Bill 614 that creates two principal changes: it makes it a class D felony for a canvasser to falsely verify or submit signatures they did not witness, and it places a burden on a sponsor to demonstrate a paid canvasser does not have a disqualifying conviction. The amendment also requires U.S. and Arkansas residency for paid canvassers, prohibits paying canvassers on a per-signature basis, and aligns sections of the bill with precedents the sponsor said have survived judicial review.

"This bill deals with paid canvassers in a way that is meant to protect the integrity of our ballot initiative process," Senator Davis told the committee. She said the changes aim to guard against fraud, require residency, and ensure the canvassing process will withstand legal challenges.

The committee voted to adopt the amendment and then passed Senate Bill 614 as amended.