Governor DeSantis Signs SB 7016 into Law
On May 2, 2025, Governor Ron DeSantis signed SB 7016, introducing substantial changes to Florida’s citizen initiative process. The new law implements stricter regulations, including:
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Felony Charges for Unregistered Petition Circulators: Individuals collecting more than 25 signatures without registering may face felony charges.
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Restrictions on Who Can Collect Signatures: Noncitizens, non-residents, and individuals with un-restored felony convictions are prohibited from participating in signature gathering.
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Mandatory Disclosure of Personal Information: Petition signers must provide sensitive personal details, such as driver’s license or Social Security numbers, which will become public records.
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Shortened Deadlines and Increased Penalties: The law tightens deadlines for submitting petitions and imposes stiffer fines for non-compliance.
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Ban on Public Funding for Political Ads: Use of public funds for political advertisements regarding constitutional amendments is now prohibited.