S.B. 11

             1     

ELECTION OFFENSE AMENDMENTS

             2     
2014 GENERAL SESSION

             3     
STATE OF UTAH

             4     
Chief Sponsor: Margaret Dayton

             5     
House Sponsor: Brian S. King

             6     
             7      LONG TITLE
             8      Committee Note:
             9          The Government Operations Interim Committee recommended this bill.
             10      General Description:
             11          This bill recodifies and amends portions of Title 20A, Chapter 1, Part 7, Prosecuting
             12      and Adjudicating Election Offenses.
             13      Highlighted Provisions:
             14          This bill:
             15          .    defines terms;
             16          .    recodifies and amends the portion of Title 20A, Chapter 1, Part 7, Prosecuting and
             17      Adjudicating Election Offenses, relating to civil proceedings and investigations of
             18      election offenses;
             19          .    establishes procedures and requirements for a registered voter to file a verified
             20      petition alleging a violation of the Election Code;
             21          .    provides that the lieutenant governor (or another person in the event of a conflict)
             22      shall review the petition to determine whether a special investigation is necessary;
             23          .    provides for the appointment of special counsel if a special investigation is
             24      necessary;
             25          .    describes the duties of special counsel;
             26          .    provides for the filing of a civil action by special counsel;
             27          .    describes the remedies that a court shall order, or other action that a court shall take,


             28      if a court finds that a significant violation of the Election Code occurred;
             29          .    provides for costs and attorney fees;
             30          .    provides for compensation of special counsel; and
             31          .    makes technical changes.
             32      Money Appropriated in this Bill:
             33          None
             34      Other Special Clauses:
             35          None
             36      Utah Code Sections Affected:
             37      ENACTS:
             38           20A-1-801 , Utah Code Annotated 1953
             39           20A-1-802 , Utah Code Annotated 1953
             40           20A-1-803 , Utah Code Annotated 1953
             41           20A-1-805 , Utah Code Annotated 1953
             42           20A-1-806 , Utah Code Annotated 1953
             43      RENUMBERS AND AMENDS:
             44           20A-1-804 , (Renumbered from 20A-1-704, as enacted by Laws of Utah 1993, Chapter
             45      1)
             46           20A-1-807 , (Renumbered from 20A-1-706, as last amended by Laws of Utah 2013,
             47      Chapter 174)
             48           20A-1-808 , (Renumbered from 20A-1-707, as enacted by Laws of Utah 2013, Chapter
             49      174)
             50      REPEALS:
             51           20A-1-703 , as last amended by Laws of Utah 2013, Chapter 174 and last amended by
             52      Coordination Clause, Laws of Utah 2013, Chapter 174
             53     
             54      Be it enacted by the Legislature of the state of Utah:
             55          Section 1. Section 20A-1-801 is enacted to read:
             56     
Part 8. Civil Action for Election Code Violation

             57          20A-1-801. Title.
             58          This part is known as "Civil Action for Election Code Violation."


             59          Section 2. Section 20A-1-802 is enacted to read:
             60          20A-1-802. Definitions.
             61          As used in this part:
             62          (1) "Bad faith" means that a person files a petition described in Subsection
             63      20A-1-803 (1):
             64          (a) under circumstances where a reasonable person would not believe that the
             65      allegations are true; or
             66          (b) (i) within 60 days before an election that the candidate to which the petition relates
             67      will appear on the ballot; and
             68          (ii) under circumstances where a reasonable person would not believe that the
             69      allegations constitute a significant violation of a provision of this title.
             70          (2) "Defendant" means each person against whom an allegation is made in the verified
             71      petition described in Subsection 20A-1-803 (1).
             72          (3) "Receiving official" means:
             73          (a) the lieutenant governor, unless the verified petition described in Section 20A-1-803
             74      alleges a violation by the governor, the lieutenant governor, or an employee of the Lieutenant
             75      Governor's Office; or
             76          (b) the attorney general, if the verified petition described in Section 20A-1-803 alleges
             77      a violation by the governor, the lieutenant governor, or an employee of the Lieutenant
             78      Governor's Office.
             79          (4) "Reviewing official" means:
             80          (a) except as provided in Subsection (4)(b), the receiving official; or
             81          (b) the reviewing official appointed under Subsection 20A-1-803 (3)(a), if the receiving
             82      official appoints another individual as the reviewing official under Subsection
             83      20A-1-803 (3)(a).
             84          (5) "Significant violation" means:
             85          (a) a violation that, if known by voters before the election, may have resulted in a
             86      candidate, other than the candidate certified as having won the election, winning the election;
             87      or
             88          (b) a violation that, had the violation not occurred, may have resulted in a candidate,
             89      other than the candidate certified as having won the election, winning the election.


             90          Section 3. Section 20A-1-803 is enacted to read:
             91          20A-1-803. Verified petition by registered voter -- Receiving and reviewing
             92      official -- Special investigation -- Special counsel - Civil action.
             93          (1) A registered voter may file a verified petition alleging a violation of any provision
             94      of this title, if the registered voter:
             95          (a) has information relating to the alleged violation;
             96          (b) the allegation is against a candidate for whom the registered voter had the right to
             97      vote, a personal campaign committee of that candidate, or a member of a personal campaign
             98      committee of that candidate.
             99          (2) The registered voter described in Subsection (1) shall file the verified petition with
             100      the receiving official.
             101          (3) If the receiving official determines, in writing, that the receiving official has a
             102      conflict of interest in relation to taking an action required in this part, the receiving official
             103      shall:
             104          (a) designate as the reviewing official an individual who does not have a conflict of
             105      interest, in the following order of precedence:
             106          (i) the attorney general;
             107          (ii) the state auditor;
             108          (iii) the state treasurer; or
             109          (iv) the governor; and
             110          (b) forward the petition to the reviewing official for further action.
             111          (4) (a) The reviewing official shall gather information and determine whether, in the
             112      discretion of the reviewing official, a special investigation is necessary.
             113          (b) In making the determination described in Subsection (4)(a), the reviewing official
             114      may consider the following:
             115          (i) whether, based on the information available to the reviewing official, the reviewing
             116      official is able to determine that a violation did not occur;
             117          (ii) the seriousness of the alleged violation;
             118          (iii) whether the alleged violation was intentional or accidental;
             119          (iv) whether the alleged violation could be resolved informally;
             120          (v) whether the petition is frivolous or filed for the purpose of harassment;


             121          (vi) whether the alleged violation should be addressed in, or is being adequately
             122      addressed in, another forum, including a criminal investigation or proceeding;
             123          (vii) whether additional investigation, as part of a civil proceeding in relation to the
             124      opinion, is desirable;
             125          (viii) the likelihood that an action, based on the allegations, is likely to be successful;
             126      or
             127          (ix) other criteria relevant to making the determination.
             128          (5) If the reviewing official determines that a special investigation is necessary, the
             129      reviewing official shall:
             130          (a) except as provided in Subsection (5)(b), refer the information to the attorney
             131      general, who shall appoint special counsel; or
             132          (b) if the verified petition alleges that the attorney general violated a provision of this
             133      title, or if the reviewing official determines that the Office of the Attorney General has a
             134      conflict of interest in relation to the verified petition, appoint a person who is not an employee
             135      of the Office of the Attorney General as special counsel, in accordance with Title 63G, Chapter
             136      6a, Utah Procurement Code.
             137          (6) The special counsel:
             138          (a) shall review the petition and any evidence relative to determining whether a
             139      defendant committed a violation of a provision of this title;
             140          (b) may interview individuals or gather additional evidence relative to determining
             141      whether a defendant committed a violation of a provision of this title;
             142          (c) shall advise the reviewing official whether, in the opinion of the special counsel,
             143      sufficient evidence exists to establish that a defendant committed a significant violation of a
             144      provision of this title; and
             145          (d) shall, within three days after the day on which the special counsel complies with
             146      Subsection (6)(c), prepare and provide to the reviewing official a document that:
             147          (i) states whether, in the opinion of the special counsel, sufficient evidence exists to
             148      establish that a defendant committed at least one significant violation of a provision of this
             149      title; and
             150          (ii) if the special counsel is of the opinion that sufficient evidence exists to establish
             151      that a defendant committed at least one significant violation of a provision of this title:


             152          (A) states the name of each defendant for which, in the opinion of the special counsel,
             153      sufficient evidence exists to establish that the defendant committed at least one significant
             154      violation of a provision of this title;
             155          (B) states each provision of this title for which, in the opinion of the special counsel,
             156      sufficient evidence exists to establish that the defendant violated; and
             157          (C) may not include a description of the evidence supporting the opinion of the special
             158      counsel.
             159          (7) The reviewing official shall:
             160          (a) within three days after the day on which the reviewing official receives the
             161      document described in Subsection (6)(d), post a conspicuous link to the document on the home
             162      page of the reviewing official's website; and
             163          (b) within seven days after the day on which the special counsel complies with
             164      Subsection (6)(c):
             165          (i) determine whether, in the opinion of the reviewing official, sufficient evidence
             166      exists to establish that a defendant committed a significant violation of a provision of this title;
             167      and
             168          (ii) if the reviewing official is of the opinion that sufficient evidence exists to establish
             169      that a defendant committed at least one significant violation of a provision of this title, direct
             170      the special counsel to file a civil action and serve summons in accordance with the Utah Rules
             171      of Civil Procedure:
             172          (A) against each defendant for whom the reviewing official determines that sufficient
             173      evidence exists that the defendant committed a significant violation of this title; and
             174          (B) that includes each significant violation for which the reviewing official determines
             175      that sufficient evidence exists.
             176          (8) (a) The purpose of the civil action described in Subsection (7)(b)(ii) is to determine
             177      whether a defendant committed a significant violation of a provision of this title.
             178          (b) For a civil action described in Subsection (7)(b)(ii), the complaint may include an
             179      allegation of any violation of a provision of this title by a defendant, regardless of whether the
             180      violation is alleged in the petition.
             181          (c) The special counsel may amend the complaint at any time after the complaint is
             182      filed, including by adding allegations to the complaint or amending allegations already made in


             183      the complaint, if the court determines that the amendment will not violate the due process
             184      rights of the defendant against whom the added or amended allegation is made.
             185          (9) (a) An action brought under this section shall:
             186          (i) be heard without a jury, with the court determining all issues of fact and issues of
             187      law; and
             188          (ii) have precedence over any other civil actions.
             189          (b) The court shall schedule discovery and hearings, and shall otherwise conduct
             190      proceedings relating to an action brought under this section, in an expedited manner while
             191      preserving the rights of the parties and the integrity of the proceedings.
             192          Section 4. Section 20A-1-804 , which is renumbered from Section 20A-1-704 is
             193      renumbered and amended to read:
             194           [20A-1-704].     20A-1-804. Judgment and findings -- Appeal -- Criminal
             195      prosecution not affected by judgment.
             196          (1) (a) [If] Except as provided in Subsection (2), if the court finds that the candidate
             197      whose right to [any] office is being [investigated, or that the candidate] challenged, the
             198      candidate's personal campaign committee, or [any] a member of the candidate's personal
             199      campaign committee has [violated any provision of this title in the conduct of the campaign for
             200      nomination or election, and if the candidate is not one mentioned in Subsection (2)] committed
             201      a significant violation of any provision of this title, the judge shall enter an order:
             202          (i) declaring void the election of the candidate to that office;
             203          (ii) ousting and excluding the candidate from office; and
             204          (iii) declaring the office vacant.
             205          (b) [The] A vacancy created by [that order] an order described in Subsection (1)(a)
             206      shall be filled as provided in this chapter.
             207          (2) (a) [If a proceeding has been brought to investigate the right of] As it relates to a
             208      candidate for either house of the Legislature, [and the] if the court finds that the candidate, the
             209      candidate's personal campaign committee, or [any] a member of the candidate's personal
             210      campaign committee has [violated] committed a significant violation of any provision of this
             211      title [in the conduct of the campaign for nomination or election], the court shall:
             212          (i) prepare and sign written findings of fact and conclusions of law relating to the
             213      violation; and


             214          (ii) without issuing an order, transmit those findings and conclusions to the [lieutenant
             215      governor] reviewing official.
             216          (b) The [lieutenant governor] reviewing official shall transmit the judge's findings and
             217      conclusions to the house of the Legislature for which the person is a candidate.
             218          (3) (a) A party may appeal the determination of the court in the same manner as
             219      appeals may be taken in civil actions.
             220          (b) A judge may not issue an injunction suspending or staying the proceeding unless:
             221          (i) application is made to the court or to the presiding judge of the court;
             222          (ii) all parties receive notice of the application and the time for the hearing; and
             223          (iii) the judge conducts a hearing.
             224          (4) Any judgment or findings and conclusions issued as provided in this section may
             225      not be construed to bar or affect in any way any criminal prosecution of any candidate or other
             226      person.
             227          Section 5. Section 20A-1-805 is enacted to read:
             228          20A-1-805. Costs and attorney fees -- Other actions or remedies not foreclosed --
             229      Grant of immunity.
             230          (1) If judgment is in favor of the plaintiff in a civil action brought under this part, the
             231      special counsel may petition the judge to recover the reviewing official's taxable costs and
             232      attorney fees against the person whose right to the office is contested.
             233          (2) The judge may not award costs or attorney fees to the defendant, unless it appears
             234      that the petitioner filed the petition in bad faith.
             235          (3) Nothing in this section may be construed to prohibit any other civil or criminal
             236      actions or remedies against alleged violators.
             237          (4) In the event a witness asserts a privilege against self-incrimination, the special
             238      counsel may request a person described in Subsections 77-22b-1 (1)(a)(i) through (iii) to
             239      compel testimony and the production of evidence from the witness pursuant to Title 77,
             240      Chapter 22b, Grants of Immunity.
             241          Section 6. Section 20A-1-806 is enacted to read:
             242          20A-1-806. Special counsel on appeal.
             243          If either party appeals the judgment of the trial court, the reviewing official shall
             244      appoint a person to appear as special counsel in the appellate court in the matter.


             245          Section 7. Section 20A-1-807 , which is renumbered from Section 20A-1-706 is
             246      renumbered and amended to read:
             247           [20A-1-706].     20A-1-807. Compensation of special counsel.
             248          [(1) If either party appeals the judgment of the trial court, the district judge, the
             249      attorney general, or the lieutenant governor who appointed special counsel for the trial court
             250      shall authorize that counsel, or some other person, to appear as special counsel in the appellate
             251      court in the matter.]
             252          [(2) (a)] (1) The special counsel authorized by this chapter shall receive [a] reasonable
             253      compensation for [his] the special counsel's services.
             254          [(b)] (2) The compensation shall be audited by the [lieutenant governor] reviewing
             255      official and paid out of the state treasury upon [a voucher and upon] the written statement of
             256      the [officer appointing the counsel] reviewing official that:
             257          [(i)] (a) the appointment has been made;
             258          [(ii)] (b) the person appointed has faithfully performed the duties [imposed upon him]
             259      of special counsel; and
             260          [(iii) that] (c) the special counsel's bill is accurate and correct.
             261          [(c)] (3) Compensation for special counsel shall be audited and paid in the same
             262      manner as other claims against the state are audited and paid.
             263          Section 8. Section 20A-1-808 , which is renumbered from Section 20A-1-707 is
             264      renumbered and amended to read:
             265           [20A-1-707].     20A-1-808. Transition clause.
             266          Any petition that is filed or pending under this part on or after March 1, 2013, shall be
             267      subject to the provisions of this part, including any amendments to this part made by Senate
             268      Bill 289, passed in the 2013 General Session.
             269          Section 9. Repealer.
             270          This bill repeals:
             271          Section 20A-1-703 , Proceedings by registered voter.





Legislative Review Note
    as of 11-20-13 2:29 PM


Office of Legislative Research and General Counsel


[Bill Documents][Bills Directory]