Bill banning per-signature payment for initiative campaigns advances

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Arguing the process is considered by some to be “rife with fraud,” Republican lawmakers advanced legislation imposing a new hurdle in the ability of citizen groups to propose their own laws.

HB2404, approved Thursday by the Senate Judiciary Committee on a party-line vote, would make it illegal to pay initiative petition circulators based on the number of signatures they gather. Rep. Vince Leach, R-Tucson, who is carrying the bill for business interests, told members of the Senate Judiciary Committee that Arizonans have “lost confidence” in the process.

“I’m wondering where you got that belief from and if you have some sort of way to back that up,” responded Sen. Martin Quezada, D-Glendale. Leach said he got it from the Yellow Sheet Report, a political tip sheet and sister publication of the Arizona Capitol Times.

The legislation Leach is advancing is the top priority of the Arizona Chamber of Commerce and Industry, which has made “reform” of the initiative process its top legislative priority in the wake of voter approval of increasing the minimum wage.

The organization even brought out attorney Brett Johnson to argue to lawmakers why the measure makes sense.