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SB5850 • 2026
Establishing protections for citizens participating in the initiative and referendum process.
This bill passed both chambers and reached final enrollment, even if later executive action is not shown here.
Using official source text because the generated explanation was unavailable or could not be confirmed against the official bill text.
Signature gathering
First reading, referred to State Government, Tribal Affairs & Elections.
Signature gathering
AN ACT Relating to establishing protections for citizens 1 participating in the initiative and referendum process; amending RCW 2 29A.84.250; adding a new section to chapter 29A.84 RCW; and 3 prescribing penalties. 4 BE IT ENACTED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF WASHINGTON:5 Sec. 1. RCW 29A.84.250 and 2024 c 164 s 508 are each amended to 6 read as follows: 7 ((Every person is guilty of a gross misdemeanor who:))8 (1) A person is guilty of unlawful interference with the 9 initiative and referendum process if the person:10 (a) For any consideration or gratuity or promise thereof, signs 11 or declines to sign any initiative or referendum petition; or12 (((2))) (b) Provides or receives consideration for soliciting or 13 procuring signatures on an initiative or referendum petition if any 14 part of the consideration is based upon the number of signatures 15 solicited or procured, or offers to provide or agrees to receive such 16 consideration any of which is based on the number of signatures 17 solicited or procured; or 18 (((3))) (c) Gives or offers any consideration or gratuity to any 19 person to induce him or her to sign or not to sign or to vote for or 20 against any initiative or referendum measure; or 21 S-3433.1 SENATE BILL 5850 State of Washington 69th Legislature 2026 Regular Session By Senators J. Wilson, Wagoner, Holy, McCune, Christian, Schoesler, Torres, Goehner, Harris, Short, Braun, Warnick, Muzzall, Dozier, Fortunato, and Frame Prefiled 12/08/25. Read first time 01/12/26. Referred to Committee on State Government, Tribal Affairs & Elections. p. 1 SB 5850 (((4))) (d) Interferes with or attempts to interfere with the 1 right of any voter to sign or not to sign an initiative or referendum 2 petition or with the right to vote for or against an initiative or 3 referendum measure by threats, harassment, intimidation, defacing a 4 physical initiative or referendum petition, or any other corrupt 5 means or practice; or 6 (((5))) (e) Publicly protests another person collecting 7 signatures for or signing any initiative or referendum petition 8 within 25 feet of the person collecting signatures or the person 9 signing or attempting to sign any initiative or referendum petition; 10 or11 (f) Receives, handles, distributes, pays out, or gives away, 12 directly or indirectly, money or any other thing of value contributed 13 by or received from any person, firm, association, or corporation 14 whose residence or principal office is, or the majority of whose 15 members or stockholders have their residence outside, the state of 16 Washington, for any service rendered for the purpose of aiding in 17 procuring signatures upon any initiative or referendum petition or 18 for the purpose of aiding in the adoption or rejection of any 19 initiative or referendum measure. This subsection does not apply to 20 or prohibit any activity that is properly reported in accordance with 21 the applicable provisions of Title 29B RCW. 22 (2)(a) Except as provided in (b) of this subsection, a person who 23 unlawfully interferes with the initiative and referendum process is 24 guilty of a gross misdemeanor. A gross misdemeanor under this section 25 is punishable to the same extent as a gross misdemeanor that is 26 punishable under RCW 9A.20.021. 27 (b) A person who unlawfully interferes with the initiative and 28 referendum process is guilty of a class C felony if the person has 29 previously been convicted in this state of unlawful interference with 30 the initiative and referendum process. A class C felony under this 31 section is punishable to the same extent as a class C felony that is 32 punishable under RCW 9A.20.021.33 NEW SECTION. Sec. 2. A new section is added to chapter 29A.84 34 RCW to read as follows: 35 A person who receives possession of a signed initiative or 36 referendum petition with the intent to destroy or alter the signed 37 initiative or referendum petition, prevent its delivery to a proper 38 p. 2 SB 5850 official, or deliver it to a person other than a proper official is 1 guilty of a class C felony, punishable under RCW 9A.20.021.2 --- END --- p. 3 SB 5850