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to him, the concern is that if a petition is amended once it is already signed, what notice is going to be given to those who have already signed it as to the changes. They may have a difference of opinion as to whether or not they would still want to remain a signer to that petition. That is the concern. The proposed solution would be to remove the word "amend" from certain sections, or to limit amending the petition prior to submission for signatures. So the committee can change the petition or amend it prior to submission for signatures, but not after. So once somebody has signed, you cannot change the petition. From a due process standpoint, I think that makes sense that somebody is not going to sign something that later changes without them knowing. Is there any discussion? MR. SHUMWAY: What was the proposed language? CHR. HAITSUKA: There are two sections affected by this. Section 15 -3, the last sentence says, "The committee shall have the power to amend or withdraw the petition as provided for in this charter." As was pointed out, the word "petition" in the definition section means the signed petition. So the withdrawal part is okay, so the recommendation here would be to take out the words "amend" and "or." So it will state, "The committee shall have the power to withdraw the petition as provided in this charter." And then a new sentence would be added which states, "A petition form may be amended by the committee prior to the circulation of the petition form for signature." So that would limit amending the form. Is there any discussion? Ms. Jarman. MS. JARMAN: Should we ask Ms. Wilkins? CHR. HAITSUKA: Ms. Wilkins. MS. WILKINS: We are a bit confused as to where we are, I'm afraid, because we are not sure what you are talking about. MS. HECHT: Are you talking about 15 -4(1)? CHR. HAITSUKA: We are on 15 -3, the last sentence. MS. HECHT: So, you are saying to delete, "to amend." Are you saying that the last sentence in 15 -3 would read, "The committee shall have the power to withdraw the petition as provided in this charter," but not "to amend ?" CHR. HAITSUKA: That is correct. And we would suggest adding an additional sentence there that says, "A petition form may be amended by the committee prior to the circulation of the petition form for signature." MS. HECHT: Okay, that sounds fine. Thank you. CHR. HAITSUKA: The counterpart to this would be 15 -4(1). In that section it say, "If a majority of the committee does not choose to amend a petition or collect additional signatures, the clerk shall present the certificate to the county council at the first council 31