The Division of Elections is aware of the rulemaking procedures prescribed by Section 120.54, Florida Statutes. That process requires advance notice to the general public of intended rules and the opportunity to submit comments on the intended rule, prior to the agency’s adoption of the rule. The time period for general rulemaking takes at least 60 days and the July 1, 2008 effective date of the amended statute will prevent the timely amendment and adoption of a rule needed to amend the method used by the supervisors of elections and the Secretary of State to record and verify the signatures on constitutional amendment initiative petitions. This emergency rule will permit the Secretary of State to make the most accurate determination whether the requisite number of signatures has been obtained. This emergency rule incorporates newly enacted amendments to Section 100.371, Florida Statutes, and represents a return to the way in which the Secretary of State determined by rule prior to January 2007 if the requisite number of signatures on initiatives has been obtained for ballot position. The Department of State will undergo the normal rulemaking process for this rule in the near future.