H.B. 144

             1     

ELECTIONS COMPLAINTS AMENDMENTS

             2     
2014 GENERAL SESSION

             3     
STATE OF UTAH

             4     
Chief Sponsor: Rebecca Chavez-Houck

             5     
Senate Sponsor: ____________

             6     
             7      LONG TITLE
             8      General Description:
             9          This bill amends provisions of the Election Code relating to elections complaints and
             10      creates the Utah Elections Board.
             11      Highlighted Provisions:
             12          This bill:
             13          .    defines terms;
             14          .    creates the Utah Elections Board (board) and describes the membership, powers,
             15      and duties of the board;
             16          .    establishes a procedure for review of an elections complaint, filed by registered
             17      voter via a verified petition, that includes an initial review by the lieutenant
             18      governor or another reviewing official and, for potentially significant violations, a
             19      review and hearing by the board;
             20          .    provides for the appointment of special counsel and the grant of use immunity;
             21          .    grants subpoena power to the board and provides for enforcement of the board's
             22      subpoenas;
             23          .    describes penalties that may be imposed by a reviewing official or the board;
             24          .    subject to veto by the lieutenant governor, grants the board authority, under certain
             25      circumstances, to issue an order declaring the election of a candidate void, ousting
             26      or excluding a candidate from office, and declaring an office vacant;
             27          .    provides for the appeal of an order described in the preceding paragraph;


             28          .    classifies records;
             29          .    provides for closed meetings under certain circumstances;
             30          .    provides a transitions clause; and
             31          .    makes technical changes.
             32      Money Appropriated in this Bill:
             33          None
             34      Other Special Clauses:
             35          This bill takes effect on July 1, 2014.
             36      Utah Code Sections Affected:
             37      ENACTS:
             38           20A-1a-101 , Utah Code Annotated 1953
             39           20A-1a-102 , Utah Code Annotated 1953
             40           20A-1a-201 , Utah Code Annotated 1953
             41           20A-1a-202 , Utah Code Annotated 1953
             42           20A-1a-203 , Utah Code Annotated 1953
             43           20A-1a-301 , Utah Code Annotated 1953
             44           20A-1a-302 , Utah Code Annotated 1953
             45           20A-1a-303 , Utah Code Annotated 1953
             46           20A-1a-304 , Utah Code Annotated 1953
             47           20A-1a-401 , Utah Code Annotated 1953
             48           20A-1a-402 , Utah Code Annotated 1953
             49           20A-1a-501 , Utah Code Annotated 1953
             50           20A-1a-502 , Utah Code Annotated 1953
             51           20A-1a-503 , Utah Code Annotated 1953
             52           20A-1a-601 , Utah Code Annotated 1953
             53           20A-1a-602 , Utah Code Annotated 1953
             54           67-1a-15 , Utah Code Annotated 1953
             55      REPEALS:
             56           20A-1-703 , as last amended by Laws of Utah 2013, Chapter 174 and last amended by
             57      Coordination Clause, Laws of Utah 2013, Chapter 174
             58           20A-1-704 , as enacted by Laws of Utah 1993, Chapter 1


             59           20A-1-706 , as last amended by Laws of Utah 2013, Chapter 174
             60           20A-1-707 , as enacted by Laws of Utah 2013, Chapter 174
             61     
             62      Be it enacted by the Legislature of the state of Utah:
             63          Section 1. Section 20A-1a-101 is enacted to read:
             64     
CHAPTER 1a. ELECTION COMPLAINTS

             65     
Part 1. General Provisions

             66          20A-1a-101. Title.
             67          (1) This chapter is known as "Election Complaints."
             68          (2) This part is known as "General Provisions."
             69          Section 2. Section 20A-1a-102 is enacted to read:
             70          20A-1a-102. Definitions.
             71          As used in this chapter:
             72          (1) "Board" means the Utah Elections Board, created in Section 67-1a-15 .
             73          (2) "Reviewing official" means:
             74          (a) except as provided in Subsection (2)(b), the lieutenant governor or a designee of the
             75      lieutenant governor who is employed by the Office of the Lieutenant Governor; or
             76          (b) if the verified petition alleges a violation of a provision of this title by the governor
             77      or the lieutenant governor, any of the following who do not have a conflict of interest in
             78      relation to the matters alleged in the verified petition, in the following order of precedence:
             79          (A) the attorney general, or a designee of the attorney general who is employed by the
             80      Office of the Attorney General;
             81          (B) the state auditor, or a designee of the state auditor who is employed by the Office
             82      of the State Auditor; or
             83          (C) the state treasurer, or a designee of the state treasurer who is employed by the
             84      Office of the State Treasurer.
             85          (3) "Significant violation" means:
             86          (a) a violation that, if known by voters before the election, may have resulted in a
             87      candidate, other than the candidate certified as having won the election, winning the election;
             88      or
             89          (b) a violation that, had the violation not occurred, may have resulted in a candidate,


             90      other than the candidate certified as having won the election, winning the election.
             91          (4) "Verified petition" means a verified petition, described in Section 20A-1a-202 ,
             92      filed by a registered voter alleging a violation of a provision of this title.
             93          Section 3. Section 20A-1a-201 is enacted to read:
             94     
Part 2. Verified Petition

             95          20A-1a-201. Title.
             96          This part is known as "Verified Petition."
             97          Section 4. Section 20A-1a-202 is enacted to read:
             98          20A-1a-202. Verified petition alleging violation -- Review and determination by
             99      reviewing official -- Forwarding petition to board for review.
             100          (1) A registered voter may file a verified petition alleging a violation of any provision
             101      of this title, if:
             102          (a) the registered voter has information relating to the alleged violation; and
             103          (b) the allegation is against a candidate for whom the registered voter has the right to
             104      vote, a personal campaign committee of that candidate, or a member of a personal campaign
             105      committee of that candidate.
             106          (2) The registered voter described in Subsection (1) shall file the verified petition with
             107      the Office of the Lieutenant Governor.
             108          (3) The lieutenant governor shall post a link on the home page of the lieutenant
             109      governor's website to a page containing instructions on how and where to file a verified
             110      petition.
             111          (4) (a) Within five calendar days after the day on which an individual files a verified
             112      petition, the reviewing official shall:
             113          (i) review the verified petition to determine whether the verified petition is filed in
             114      accordance with the requirements of this section; and
             115          (ii) (A) if the reviewing official determines that the verified petition does not comply
             116      with the requirements of this section, reject the petition and inform the individual who signed
             117      the petition, in writing, of the reason for the reviewing official's determination; or
             118          (B) if the reviewing official determines that the verified petition is filed in accordance
             119      with the requirements of this section, inform the individual who signed the petition, in writing,
             120      that the reviewing official has accepted the petition.


             121          (b) An individual may correct and refile a verified petition that is rejected under
             122      Subsection (4)(a)(ii)(A).
             123          (5) Within five calendar days after the day on which the reviewing official accepts a
             124      verified petition under Subsection (4)(a)(ii)(B), the reviewing official shall determine whether
             125      it is more likely than not that the violations alleged in the verified petition, if true, would
             126      constitute a significant violation.
             127          (6) (a) If the reviewing official determines that it is unlikely that the violations
             128      contained in a verified petition, if true, would constitute a significant violation, the reviewing
             129      official shall investigate and, after giving the candidate notice and an opportunity to be heard,
             130      determine whether the allegations are true.
             131          (b) If, after making the determination described in Subsection (6)(a), the reviewing
             132      official determines that any of the violations alleged in the verified petition are true, the
             133      reviewing official shall:
             134          (i) take any authorized action that the reviewing official determines is appropriate,
             135      including:
             136          (A) requiring a candidate to file a missing report or to correct an erroneous or
             137      incomplete report;
             138          (B) imposing any civil penalties authorized by this title; or
             139          (C) referring the matter to law enforcement for investigation and potential criminal
             140      prosecution; and
             141          (ii) inform the individual who filed the verified petition, in writing, of the
             142      determination made by the reviewing official, the grounds for the determination, and the action
             143      that the reviewing official decides to take.
             144          (c) If, after making the determination described in Subsection (6)(a), the reviewing
             145      official determines that none of the violations alleged in the verified petition are true, the
             146      reviewing official shall:
             147          (i) dismiss the petition; and
             148          (ii) inform the individual who filed the verified petition, in writing, that the reviewing
             149      official has determined that none of the violations alleged in the verified petition are true, of
             150      the grounds for the determination, and that the petition is dismissed.
             151          (7) If the reviewing official determines that it is more likely than not that the violations


             152      contained in a verified petition, if true, would constitute a significant violation, the reviewing
             153      official shall:
             154          (a) forward to each member of the board:
             155          (i) a copy of the verified petition;
             156          (ii) a copy or description of the evidence gathered in relation to the petition;
             157          (iii) a statement that the reviewing official has determined that it is more likely than not
             158      that the violations contained in the verified petition, if true, would constitute a significant
             159      violation; and
             160          (iv) a description of the grounds for the determination described in Subsection
             161      (7)(a)(iii); and
             162          (b) inform the individual who filed the verified petition, in writing, of:
             163          (i) the determination made by the reviewing official; and
             164          (ii) that the verified petition has been forwarded to the board for review.
             165          (8) (a) A reviewing official may seek an advisory opinion from the board before
             166      making any of the determinations that the reviewing official is required to make under this
             167      section.
             168          (b) The reviewing official may extend the deadlines for an action that the reviewing
             169      official is required to take under this section, for up to an additional 10 calendar days, in order
             170      for the reviewing official to seek an advisory opinion from the board.
             171          Section 5. Section 20A-1a-203 is enacted to read:
             172          20A-1a-203. Initial review of verified petition by board -- Action by the board --
             173      Additional investigation -- Additional allegations.
             174          (1) Upon receipt of the information described in Subsection 20A-1a-202 (7)(a), the
             175      board shall meet to discuss the verified petition and the evidence provided in relation to the
             176      verified petition.
             177          (2) At the meeting described in Subsection (1), the board shall determine whether
             178      additional evidence is needed to determine whether the allegations in the verified petition:
             179          (a) are true; or
             180          (b) if true, would constitute a significant violation.
             181          (3) If the board determines that additional evidence is needed, the board may:
             182          (a) instruct staff to the board to gather the additional evidence;


             183          (b) obtain special counsel in accordance with Section 20A-1a-302 ; or
             184          (c) obtain evidence by subpoena under Section 20A-1a-303 .
             185          (4) If the board determines that, even if the allegations in the verified petition are true,
             186      the violations alleged in the verified petition do not constitute a significant violation, the board
             187      shall return the verified petition to the reviewing official to take action in accordance with
             188      Subsections 20A-1a-202 (6)(b) and (c).
             189          (5) If, at any point in the review process, the board determines that any of the
             190      allegations in the verified petition are untrue, the board shall:
             191          (a) dismiss the allegations that the board finds to be untrue; and
             192          (b) inform the individual who filed the verified petition, in writing:
             193          (i) of the allegations found by the board to be untrue; and
             194          (ii) of the grounds for the board's finding.
             195          (6) The board may on its own initiative, upon motion of the reviewing official, or upon
             196      motion of special counsel appointed under Section 20A-1a-302 , file and consider additional
             197      allegations of a violation of this title by a person against whom an allegation is made in a
             198      verified petition, if the board determines that filing and considering the allegations:
             199          (a) are in the public interest; and
             200          (b) do not violate the due process rights of a person against whom the additional
             201      allegation is made.
             202          (7) Additional allegations described in Subsection (6) are not required to be supported
             203      by a verified petition.
             204          Section 6. Section 20A-1a-301 is enacted to read:
             205     
Part 3. Powers of the Board

             206          20A-1a-301. Title.
             207          This part is known as "Powers of the Board."
             208          Section 7. Section 20A-1a-302 is enacted to read:
             209          20A-1a-302. Special counsel.
             210          If the board determines that special counsel is needed to address allegations raised in a
             211      petition or allegations added under Subsection 20A-1a-203 (6), the reviewing official may:
             212          (1) request the attorney general to appoint special counsel from within the Office of the
             213      Attorney General; or


             214          (2) if the attorney general has a conflict of interest in relation to the allegations, appoint
             215      a private attorney as special counsel.
             216          Section 8. Section 20A-1a-303 is enacted to read:
             217          20A-1a-303. Subpoena power -- Enforcement.
             218          (1) The board may authorize the chair of the board or the reviewing official to issue a
             219      subpoena on behalf of the board.
             220          (2) Each subpoena issued on behalf of the board shall include:
             221          (a) the name of the board;
             222          (b) the signature of the issuer; and
             223          (c) a command to the person to whom the subpoena is addressed to:
             224          (i) appear and testify at the time and place specified in the subpoena; or
             225          (ii) produce accounts, books, papers, documents, electronically stored information, or
             226      tangible things designated in the subpoena.
             227          (3) A subpoena described in this section may be served:
             228          (a) within the state by the sheriff of the county where service is made, by the sheriff's
             229      deputy, or by any other person 18 years old or older who is not a member of the board, the
             230      reviewing official, or staff to the board or the reviewing official;
             231          (b) in another state or United States territory, by the sheriff of the county where the
             232      service is made, or by the sheriff's deputy, a United States marshal, or a United States marshal's
             233      deputy;
             234          (c) in a foreign country:
             235          (i) by following the procedures prescribed by the law of the foreign country;
             236          (ii) upon an individual personally, by any person 18 years old or older who is not a
             237      member of the board, the reviewing official, or staff to the board or the reviewing official; or
             238          (iii) upon a corporation, partnership, or association, or a managing or general agent of
             239      the corporation, partnership, or association, by any person 18 years old or older who is not a
             240      member of the board, the reviewing official, or staff to the board or the reviewing official; or
             241          (d) by any form of mail requiring a signed receipt, to be addressed and dispatched by
             242      the board to the party to be served.
             243          (4) (a) When the subject of a subpoena issued under this section disobeys or fails to
             244      comply with the subpoena, or if a person appears pursuant to a subpoena and refuses to testify


             245      to a matter upon which the person may be lawfully interrogated, that person is in contempt of
             246      the board and the board or special counsel may:
             247          (i) file a motion for an order to compel obedience to the subpoena with the district
             248      court;
             249          (ii) file, with the district court, a motion for an order to show cause why the penalties
             250      established in Title 78B, Chapter 6, Part 3, Contempt, should not be imposed upon the person
             251      named in the subpoena for contempt of the board; or
             252          (iii) pursue other remedies against persons in contempt of the board.
             253          (b) (i) Upon receipt of a motion under this Subsection (4), the court shall expedite the
             254      hearing and decision on the motion.
             255          (ii) A court may:
             256          (A) order the person named in the subpoena to comply with the subpoena; and
             257          (B) impose any penalties authorized by Title 78B, Chapter 6, Part 3, Contempt, upon
             258      the person named in the subpoena for contempt of the board.
             259          (5) (a) If a subpoena issued under this section requires the production of accounts,
             260      books, papers, documents, electronically stored information, or tangible things, the person to
             261      whom the subpoena is directed may petition a district court to quash or modify the subpoena at
             262      or before the time specified in the subpoena for compliance.
             263          (b) The board or special counsel may respond to a motion to quash or modify the
             264      subpoena by pursuing any remedy authorized by Subsection (4).
             265          (c) If the court finds that a subpoena requiring the production of accounts, books,
             266      papers, documents, electronically stored information, or tangible things is unreasonable or
             267      oppressive, the court may quash or modify the subpoena.
             268          (6) Nothing in this section prevents the board from seeking an extraordinary writ to
             269      remedy contempt of the board.
             270          (7) Any party aggrieved by a decision of a court under this section may appeal that
             271      action directly to the Utah Supreme Court.
             272          (8) Except for state officers and employees, witnesses appearing pursuant to a
             273      subpoena issued under this section shall receive witness fees and mileage as provided by law
             274      for attendance before the district courts of this state.
             275          Section 9. Section 20A-1a-304 is enacted to read:


             276          20A-1a-304. Use immunity.
             277          In the event a witness asserts a privilege against self-incrimination, the board or special
             278      counsel may request a person described in Subsections 77-22b-1 (1)(a)(i) through (iii) to
             279      compel testimony and the production of evidence from the witness pursuant to Title 77,
             280      Chapter 22b, Grants of Immunity.
             281          Section 10. Section 20A-1a-401 is enacted to read:
             282     
Part 4. Hearing and Action by Board

             283          20A-1a-401. Title.
             284          This part is known as "Hearing and Action by Board."
             285          Section 11. Section 20A-1a-402 is enacted to read:
             286          20A-1a-402. Hearings and other action by board -- Findings of fact and
             287      conclusions of law -- Order -- Action regarding legislative candidates -- Appeal.
             288          (1) The board shall hold a hearing if, after the initial review of the verified petition
             289      under Section 20A-1a-203 , there remains at least one alleged violation in the verified petition
             290      that is not dismissed and that the board determines, if true, would constitute a significant
             291      violation.
             292          (2) The board shall ensure that, at the hearing:
             293          (a) all evidence upon which the board is relying is presented; and
             294          (b) each person against whom a remaining allegation is made has notice and an
             295      opportunity to be heard.
             296          (3) After the hearing, the board shall issue findings of fact and conclusions of law, in
             297      writing, indicating:
             298          (a) whether the remaining allegations are true;
             299          (b) whether the allegations found to be true, if any, constitute a significant violation;
             300      and
             301          (c) stating the evidence and conclusions upon which the determinations described in
             302      Subsections (3)(a) and (b) are based.
             303          (4) If, after the hearing, the board determines that any of the remaining allegations is
             304      true, but does not constitute a significant violation, the board shall return the verified petition to
             305      the reviewing official to take action in accordance with Subsections 20A-1a-202 (6)(b) and (c).
             306          (5) (a) Except as provided in Subsection (7), if, after the hearing, the board determines


             307      that any of the remaining allegations is true and constitutes a significant violation, the board
             308      shall enter a contingent order:
             309          (i) declaring void the election of the candidate to the applicable office;
             310          (ii) ousting or excluding the candidate from the applicable office; and
             311          (iii) declaring the office vacant.
             312          (b) On the day on which the board issues a contingent order described in Subsection
             313      (5)(a), the board shall provide to the lieutenant governor:
             314          (i) a copy of the contingent order;
             315          (ii) a written statement informing the lieutenant governor of the board's findings and
             316      the grounds for the board's findings; and
             317          (iii) copies of the evidence upon which the board's findings are based.
             318          (c) Within 15 days after the day on which the lieutenant governor receives the
             319      information and evidence described in Subsection (5)(b), the lieutenant governor shall:
             320          (i) review the information and evidence to determine whether the lieutenant governor
             321      agrees with the findings and order; and
             322          (ii) (A) sign the order;
             323          (B) veto the order; or
             324          (C) take no action.
             325          (d) (i) If the lieutenant governor signs the order, as described in Subsection
             326      (5)(c)(ii)(A), the order is no longer contingent and is final, subject to appeal under Subsection
             327      (8), at the time the lieutenant governor signs the order.
             328          (ii) If the lieutenant governor vetoes the order, as described in Subsection (5)(c)(ii)(B),
             329      the order is not in effect and the lieutenant governor may take action in relation to the matter, in
             330      accordance with Subsections 20A-1-202 (6)(b) and (c).
             331          (iii) If the lieutenant governor takes no action, as described in Subsection (5)(c)(ii)(C),
             332      the order is no longer contingent and is final, subject to appeal under Subsection (8), 16 days
             333      after the day on which the lieutenant governor receives the information and evidence described
             334      in Subsection (5)(b).
             335          (6) A vacancy created by an order described in Subsection (5) shall be filled as
             336      provided in Chapter 1, General Provisions.
             337          (7) As it relates to a candidate for either house of the Legislature, if the board finds that


             338      the candidate, the candidate's personal campaign committee, or a member of the candidate's
             339      personal campaign committee has committed a significant violation of any provision of this
             340      title, the board shall, without entering an order, forward the findings of fact and conclusions of
             341      law described in Subsection (3) to the reviewing official and to the house of the Legislature to
             342      which the candidate stood for election.
             343          (8) A candidate against whom an adverse order is entered under Subsection (5) may,
             344      after the order becomes final, appeal the order to the Utah Court of Appeals.
             345          (9) Any action under this part may not be construed to affect or bar in any way a
             346      criminal prosecution of any candidate or other person.
             347          Section 12. Section 20A-1a-501 is enacted to read:
             348     
Part 5. Records and Meetings

             349          20A-1a-501. Title.
             350          This part is known as "Records and Meetings."
             351          Section 13. Section 20A-1a-502 is enacted to read:
             352          20A-1a-502. Records.
             353          (1) The following records received by, or generated by or for, a special investigative
             354      committee are protected records, for purposes of Title 63G, Chapter 2, Government Records
             355      Access and Management Act, until the reviewing official and board conclude their business or
             356      determine to remove the protected record classification described in this section:
             357          (a) records of a witness interview;
             358          (b) records containing the mental impressions of board members, the reviewing
             359      official, or staff to the board or the reviewing official;
             360          (c) records containing information on investigative strategy;
             361          (d) records, the disclosure of which would interfere with the effectiveness of the
             362      investigation;
             363          (e) a copy or description of evidence described in Subsection 20A-1a-202 (7)(a)(ii);
             364          (f) a description described in Subsection 20A-1a-202 (7)(a)(iv);
             365          (g) a written description described in Subsection 20A-1a-402 (5)(b)(ii); and
             366          (h) the copies of evidence described in Subsection 20A-1a-402 (5)(b)(iii).
             367          (2) The following records are public records for purposes of Title 63G, Chapter 2,
             368      Government Records Access and Management Act:


             369          (a) a verified petition;
             370          (b) a written document described in:
             371          (i) Subsection 20A-1a-202 (4)(a)(ii)(A);
             372          (ii) Subsection 20A-1a-202 (4)(a)(ii)(B);
             373          (iii) Subsection 20A-1a-202 (6)(b)(ii);
             374          (iv) Subsection 20A-1a-202 (6)(c)(ii);
             375          (v) Subsection 20A-1a-202 (7)(b);
             376          (vi) Subsection 20A-1a-203 (5)(b); and
             377          (vii) Subsection 20A-1a-402 (3);
             378          (c) additional allegations described in Subsection 20A-1a-203 (6); and
             379          (d) an order or veto described in Subsection 20A-1a-402 (5).
             380          Section 14. Section 20A-1a-503 is enacted to read:
             381          20A-1a-503. Closed meetings.
             382          Notwithstanding the provisions of Subsections 52-4-204 (2) and 52-4-205 (1), the board
             383      may hold a closed meeting if a majority of the members present votes to close the meeting for
             384      the purpose of:
             385          (1) seeking or obtaining legal advice;
             386          (2) discussing matters of strategy relating to an investigation, if discussing the matters
             387      in public would interfere with the effectiveness of the investigation; or
             388          (3) questioning a witness, if questioning the witness in public would interfere with a
             389      criminal investigation.
             390          Section 15. Section 20A-1a-601 is enacted to read:
             391     
Part 6. Miscellaneous Provisions

             392          20A-1a-601. Title.
             393          This part is known as "Miscellaneous Provisions."
             394          Section 16. Section 20A-1a-602 is enacted to read:
             395          20A-1a-602. Transitions clause.
             396          An elections complaint petition that is filed or pending under Title 20A, Chapter 1, Part
             397      7, Prosecuting and Adjudicating Election Offenses, before July 1, 2014:
             398          (1) is not subject to this chapter; and
             399          (2) shall be subject to the provisions of Title 20A, Chapter 1, Part 7, Prosecuting and


             400      Adjudicating Election Offenses, as they existed on June 30, 2014.
             401          Section 17. Section 67-1a-15 is enacted to read:
             402          67-1a-15. Utah Elections Board -- Membership -- Staffing -- Duties.
             403          (1) As used in this section, "board" means the Utah Elections Board, created in this
             404      section.
             405          (2) There is created, within the Office of the Lieutenant Governor, the Utah Elections
             406      Board.
             407          (3) The board is composed of three retired judges, no more than two of whom may be
             408      from the same political party, appointed by the governor with the advice and consent of the
             409      Senate.
             410          (4) Members of the board shall serve a term of six years, except that in order to provide
             411      for staggered terms, the governor shall appoint the first members of the board as follows:
             412          (a) one member to serve an initial term of two years;
             413          (b) one member to serve an initial term of four years; and
             414          (c) one member to serve an initial term of six years.
             415          (5) A member of the board may not serve more than two consecutive terms.
             416          (6) When a vacancy occurs on the board before the end of a member's term, the
             417      governor shall appoint a replacement, with the advice and consent of the Senate, to serve the
             418      remainder of the member's term. If the remainder of the term is longer than six months, that
             419      member may only serve one more consecutive term.
             420          (7) (a) Except as provided in Subsection (7)(b), the governor may only remove a
             421      member of the board for cause.
             422          (b) During a period of time when there is a pending verified petition against the
             423      governor or the lieutenant governor:
             424          (i) the governor may not remove a member of the board; and
             425          (ii) any of the following, who does not have a verified petition pending him or her, may
             426      remove a member of the board for cause:
             427          (A) the attorney general;
             428          (B) the state auditor; or
             429          (C) the state treasurer.
             430          (8) A member of the board may not receive compensation or benefits for the member's


             431      service, but may receive per diem and travel expenses in accordance with:
             432          (a) Section 63A-3-106 ;
             433          (b) Section 63A-3-107 ; and
             434          (c) rules made by the Division of Finance pursuant to Sections 63A-3-106 and
             435      63A-3-107 .
             436          (9) Two members of the board constitutes a quorum, and a vote by two members of the
             437      board constitutes the action of the board.
             438          (10) The board shall appoint one of its members to serve a one-year term as chair of the
             439      board.
             440          (11) The lieutenant governor's office shall provide staff services to the board, except
             441      that, if an elections complaint is filed against the governor or the lieutenant governor, the
             442      attorney general's office shall provide staff support to the board in relation to that elections
             443      complaint.
             444          (12) The board shall:
             445          (a) administer and resolve elections complaints in accordance with Title 20A, Chapter
             446      1a, Election Complaints; and
             447          (b) recommend statutory changes and rule changes relating to the provisions of Title
             448      20A, Chapter 1a, Election Complaints.
             449          Section 18. Repealer.
             450          This bill repeals:
             451          Section 20A-1-703 , Proceedings by registered voter.
             452          Section 20A-1-704 , Judgment and findings -- Appeal -- Criminal prosecution not
             453      affected by judgment.
             454          Section 20A-1-706 , Special counsel on appeal.
             455          Section 20A-1-707 , Transition clause.
             456          Section 19. Effective date.
             457          This bill takes effect on July 1, 2014.





Legislative Review Note
    as of 11-15-13 9:15 AM


Office of Legislative Research and General Counsel


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