| Members Present: Sen. Daniel W. Thatcher, Chair Sen. Ronald M. Winterton, Co-Chair Rep. Calvin R. Musselman, Chair Sen. David G. Buxton Sen. Don L. Ipson Sen. Jen Plumb Rep. Bridger Bolinder Rep. Scott H. Chew Rep. Kay J. Christofferson Rep. Stephanie Gricius Rep. Michael J. Petersen | Rep. Thomas W. Peterson Rep. Val L. Peterson Rep. Douglas R. Welton Members Absent: Rep. Sahara Hayes Rep. Andrew Stoddard Staff Present: Lisa Sorensen, Policy Analyst Michael Cipriano, Associate General Counsel Thomas R. Vaughn, Managing Associate General Counsel Tracey Fredman, Administrative Assistant |
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Note: A copy of related materials and an audio recording of the meeting can be found at www.le.utah.gov.
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| 1.Committee Business |
| Chair Musselman called the meeting to order at 8:01 a.m. |
| 2.Post-Election Audit Study |
| 2a - Audit Study Final Report |
| 2b - Driver License Division Report, HB 448 |
| Thomas Vaughn, Managing Associate General Counsel, introduced the issue. |
| Shelly Jackson, Deputy Director of Elections, Office of the Lieutenant Governor, reported on a post-election audit study provided to the Office of the Lieutenant Governor. |
| Dr. Damon Cann, Professor, Political Science, Utah State University, and Dr. Quin Monson, Professor, Political Science, Brigham Young University, discussed the methods studied to improve post-election audits, offered recommendations for post-election audit requirements, and responded to committee members' questions. |
| MOTION:Sen. Thatcher moved to approve the minutes of the October 11, 2023, meeting.The motion passed with a vote of 9-0-7. | |||
| Yeas - 9 | Nays- 0 | Abs- 7 | |
| Sen. D. Buxton Rep. S. Chew Rep. K. Christofferson Rep. S. Gricius Rep. C. Musselman Rep. M. Petersen Rep. T. Peterson Sen. D. Thatcher Sen. R. Winterton | Rep. B. Bolinder Rep. S. Hayes Sen. D. Ipson Rep. V. Peterson Sen. J. Plumb Rep. A. Stoddard Rep. D. Welton |
| 3.Draft Legislation "Election Revisions" |
| 3a - 2024 General Session draft legislation, Election Revisions, v2 |
| Michael Cipriano, Associate General Counsel, Office of Legislative Research and General Counsel, introduced 2024 General Session draft legislation, "Election Revisions," which would modify provisions of the Election Code. |
| Brody Bailey, Elections Coordinator, Office of the Lieutenant Governor, highlighted the provisions of the draft legislation. |
| Public comment was heard regarding the draft legislation from the following individuals: |
| Christy Henshaw, Chair, Utah County Republican Party; |
| Roy Piskadlo, Election Certification Matters; |
| Steve Aste, Election Certification Matters; |
| David Burton; and |
| Darilyn Bomilee. |
| MOTION:Sen. Thatcher moved to recommend 2024 General Session draft legislation, "Election Revisions," as a committee bill. The motion failed with a vote of 4-8-4. | |||
| Yeas - 4 | Nays- 8 | Abs- 4 | |
| Rep. K. Christofferson Rep. C. Musselman Sen. D. Thatcher Sen. R. Winterton | Rep. B. Bolinder Sen. D. Buxton Rep. S. Chew Rep. S. Gricius Sen. D. Ipson Rep. M. Petersen Rep. T. Peterson Sen. J. Plumb | Rep. S. Hayes Rep. V. Peterson Rep. A. Stoddard Rep. D. Welton |
| 4.Draft Legislation "Criminal Threat or Interference Amendments" |
| 4a - 2024 General Session draft legislation, Criminal Threat or Interference Amendments, v2.pdf |
| Thomas Vaughn, Managing Associate General Counsel, reviewed provisions of 2024 General Session draft legislation, "Criminal Threat or Interference Amendments," which would modify provisions related to criminal offenses conducted against a public servant, party official, or voter. |
| Public comment was heard regarding the draft legislation from the following individuals: |
| Shelly Jackson, Deputy Director of Elections, Office of the Lieutenant Governor; and |
| David Burton. |
| Committee discussion followed on a technical error within the bill. |
| MOTION:Sen. Thatcher moved to amend the bill by replacing "public servant" on line 167 with "party official."The motion passed with a vote of 11-0-5. | |||
| Yeas - 11 | Nays- 0 | Abs- 5 | |
| Rep. B. Bolinder Sen. D. Buxton Rep. S. Chew Rep. K. Christofferson Rep. S. Gricius Sen. D. Ipson Rep. C. Musselman Rep. M. Petersen Sen. J. Plumb Sen. D. Thatcher Sen. R. Winterton | Rep. S. Hayes Rep. T. Peterson Rep. V. Peterson Rep. A. Stoddard Rep. D. Welton |
| Will Carlson, Chief Policy Advisor, Salt Lake County District Attorney's Office, discussed constitutional free speech issues under the proposed legislation. |
| MOTION:Rep. Christofferson moved to recommend as amended 2024 General Session draft legislation, "Criminal Threat or Interference Amendments," as a committee bill.The motion passed with a vote of 11-0-5. | |||
| Yeas - 11 | Nays- 0 | Abs- 5 | |
| Rep. B. Bolinder Sen. D. Buxton Rep. S. Chew Rep. K. Christofferson Rep. S. Gricius Rep. C. Musselman Rep. M. Petersen Sen. J. Plumb Sen. D. Thatcher Rep. D. Welton Sen. R. Winterton | Rep. S. Hayes Sen. D. Ipson Rep. T. Peterson Rep. V. Peterson Rep. A. Stoddard |
| Sen. Thatcher assumed the chair. |
| 5.Draft Legislation "Electronic Notarization Amendments" |
| 5a - 2024 General Session draft legislation, Electronic Notarization Amendments, v5 |
| Rep. Musselman reviewed the provisions of 2024 General Session draft legislation, "Electronic Notarization Amendments," which would modify provisions related to electronic notarizations. |
| MOTION:Rep. Musselman moved to recommend 2024 General Session draft legislation, "Electronic Notarization Amendments," as a committee bill.The motion passed with a vote of 12-0-4. | |||
| Yeas - 12 | Nays- 0 | Abs- 4 | |
| Rep. B. Bolinder Sen. D. Buxton Rep. S. Chew Rep. K. Christofferson Rep. S. Gricius Sen. D. Ipson Rep. C. Musselman Rep. M. Petersen Sen. J. Plumb Sen. D. Thatcher Rep. D. Welton Sen. R. Winterton | Rep. S. Hayes Rep. T. Peterson Rep. V. Peterson Rep. A. Stoddard |
| 6.Draft Legislation "State Boards and Commissions Amendments" |
| 6a - 2024 General Session draft legislation, State Boards and Commissions Amendments, v3 |
| Lisa Sorensen, Policy Analyst, Office of Legislative Research and General Counsel, reviewed the provisions of 2024 General Session draft legislation, "State Boards and Commissions Amendments," which would establish sunset provisions for certain boards and commissions. |
| MOTION:Rep. Musselman moved to recommend 2024 General Session draft legislation, "State Boards and Commissions Amendments," as a committee bill.The motion passed with a vote of 12-0-4. | |||
| Yeas - 12 | Nays- 0 | Abs- 4 | |
| Rep. B. Bolinder Sen. D. Buxton Rep. S. Chew Rep. K. Christofferson Rep. S. Gricius Sen. D. Ipson Rep. C. Musselman Rep. M. Petersen Sen. J. Plumb Sen. D. Thatcher Rep. D. Welton Sen. R. Winterton | Rep. S. Hayes Rep. T. Peterson Rep. V. Peterson Rep. A. Stoddard |
| Rep. Musselman resumed the chair. |
| 7.Draft Legislation "Division of Human Resource Management Amendments" |
| 7a - 2024 General Session draft legislation, Division of Human Resource Management Amendments, v2 |
| Rep. Gricius reviewed the provisions of 2024 General Session draft legislation, "Division of Human Resource Management Amendments," which would modify provisions of the Utah State Personnel Management Act. |
| MOTION:Rep. Gricius moved to recommend 2024 General Session draft legislation, "Division of Human Resource Management Amendments," as a committee bill.The motion passed with a vote of 12-0-4. | |||
| Yeas - 12 | Nays- 0 | Abs- 4 | |
| Rep. B. Bolinder Sen. D. Buxton Rep. S. Chew Rep. K. Christofferson Rep. S. Gricius Sen. D. Ipson Rep. C. Musselman Rep. M. Petersen Sen. J. Plumb Sen. D. Thatcher Rep. D. Welton Sen. R. Winterton | Rep. S. Hayes Rep. T. Peterson Rep. V. Peterson Rep. A. Stoddard |
| 8.Draft Legislation "Paid Leave Modifications" |
| 8a - 2024 General Session draft legislation, Paid Leave Modifications, v2 |
| Michael Cipriano, Associate General Counsel, Office of Legislative Research and General Counsel, introduced the draft legislation to be discussed. |
| Rep. Gricius outlined the provisions of 2024 General Session draft legislation, Paid Leave Modifications," which would address paid leave for certain state employees. |
| MOTION:Rep. Gricius moved to recommend 2024 General Session draft legislation, Paid Leave Modifications," as a committee bill.The motion passed with a vote of 12-0-4. | |||
| Yeas - 12 | Nays- 0 | Abs- 4 | |
| Rep. B. Bolinder Sen. D. Buxton Rep. S. Chew Rep. K. Christofferson Rep. S. Gricius Sen. D. Ipson Rep. C. Musselman Rep. M. Petersen Sen. J. Plumb Sen. D. Thatcher Rep. D. Welton Sen. R. Winterton | Rep. S. Hayes Rep. T. Peterson Rep. V. Peterson Rep. A. Stoddard |
| 9.Draft Legislation "Department of Government Operations Amendments" |
| 9a - 2024 General Session draft legislation, Department of Government Operations Divisions, v2 |
| Lisa Sorensen, Policy Analyst, Office of Legislative Research and General Counsel, introduced the draft legislation to be discussed. |
| Rep. Gricius discussed the provisions of 2024 General Session draft legislation, "Department of Government Operations Amendments." |
| MOTION:Rep. Gricius moved to recommend 2024 General Session draft legislation, "Department of Government Operations Amendments," as a committee bill.The motion passed with a vote of 12-0-4. | |||
| Yeas - 12 | Nays- 0 | Abs- 4 | |
| Rep. B. Bolinder Sen. D. Buxton Rep. S. Chew Rep. K. Christofferson Rep. S. Gricius Sen. D. Ipson Rep. C. Musselman Rep. M. Petersen Sen. J. Plumb Sen. D. Thatcher Rep. D. Welton Sen. R. Winterton | Rep. S. Hayes Rep. T. Peterson Rep. V. Peterson Rep. A. Stoddard |
| 10.Draft Legislation "Initiatives and Referenda Amendments" |
| 10a - 2024 General Session draft legislation, Initiatives and Referenda Amendments, Option A |
| 10b - 2024 General Session draft legislation, Initiatives and Referenda Amendments, Option B |
| Thomas Vaughn, Managing Associate General Counsel, reviewed provisions of 2024 General Session draft legislation, "Initiatives and Referenda Amendments," Options A and B, for the committee's consideration. The legislation would amend provisions relating to collecting signatures for, or removing signatures from, an initiative petition or a referendum petition. |
| Rep. Jennifer Daily-Provost and Brody Bailey, Elections Coordinator, Office of the Lieutenant Governor, discussed the legislation and responded to committee members' questions. |
| Public comment was heard regarding the draft legislation from the following individuals: |
| Brian McKenzie, Davis County Clerk; and |
| Tracie Halvorsen. |
| MOTION:Rep. Gricius moved to recommend 2024 General Session draft legislation, "Initiatives and Referenda Amendments," Option A, as a committee bill.The motion passed with a vote of 12-0-4. | |||
| Yeas - 12 | Nays- 0 | Abs- 4 | |
| Sen. D. Buxton Rep. S. Chew Rep. K. Christofferson Rep. S. Gricius Sen. D. Ipson Rep. C. Musselman Rep. M. Petersen Rep. T. Peterson Sen. J. Plumb Sen. D. Thatcher Rep. D. Welton Sen. R. Winterton | Rep. B. Bolinder Rep. S. Hayes Rep. V. Peterson Rep. A. Stoddard |
| 11.Draft Legislation "Tourism Fund Amendments" |
| This agenda item was not discussed. |
| 12.Required Reports |
| Lisa Sorensen, Policy Analyst, Office of Legislative Research and General Counsel, noted that required reports have been uploaded to the committee's webpage. |
| 13.Other Items/Adjourn |
| MOTION:Rep. Michael Petersen moved to adjourn the meeting.The motion passed with a vote of 14-0-2. | |||
| Yeas - 14 | Nays- 0 | Abs- 2 | |
| Rep. B. Bolinder Sen. D. Buxton Rep. S. Chew Rep. K. Christofferson Rep. S. Gricius Sen. D. Ipson Rep. C. Musselman Rep. M. Petersen Rep. T. Peterson Rep. V. Peterson Sen. J. Plumb Sen. D. Thatcher Rep. D. Welton Sen. R. Winterton | Rep. S. Hayes Rep. A. Stoddard |
| Chair Musselman adjourned the meeting at 10:05 a.m. |