(SD Broadcasters Association) A House committee advanced a bill Monday that would ban paying people to collect signatures for ballot petitions in South Dakota.
Supporters say it would restore grassroots control, while opponents argue it violates free-speech protections.
The House State Affairs Committee voted 9–4 to advance House Bill 1087, which would prohibit compensation for petition circulators and void any petition found in violation.
Supporters say money has distorted the initiative process.
Citizen activist Tonchi Weaver from Rapid City.
“If you have more money than me, then your speech is bigger than my speech, and the only way to make this an even playing field is to take the money out of it.”
Opponents say the bill repeats a legal fight already lost in court.
Republican Rep. Greg Jamison from Sioux Falls.
“I’m just not excited about just throwing it against the wall again to see if it sticks.”
The bill now heads to the House floor, where lawmakers will decide whether to move forward despite warnings of a likely court challenge.
