LANSING, Mich. (AP) — Organizers of a ballot drive to overhaul Michigan's lobbying rules say they will begin gathering signatures right away after clearing a procedural step.

The Board of State Canvassers on Wednesday approved a summary of the proposed constitutional amendment to appear on the heading of a petition sponsored by the Coalition to Close Lansing Loopholes. The panel also OK'd the petition form.

The proposal would ban free food and drink for state elected officials, require former lawmakers to wait two years to become lobbyists and overhaul a system that tracks lobbying. The effort is being spearheaded by Progress Michigan, a liberal advocacy organization.

The ballot committee has until early July to submit 425,000 valid voter signatures to qualify for the November ballot.