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H.B. 142

This document includes House Floor Amendments incorporated into the bill on Thu, Feb 17, 2005 at 1:15 PM by chopkin. --> This document includes Senate 2nd Reading Floor Amendments incorporated into the bill on Wed, Mar 2, 2005 at 4:55 PM by rday. -->              1     

ISSUES SUBMITTED TO VOTERS

             2     
2005 GENERAL SESSION

             3     
STATE OF UTAH

             4     
Sponsor: Gregory H. Hughes

             5      Michael T. Morley              6     
             7      LONG TITLE
             8      General Description:
             9          This bill modifies statewide and local initiative requirements and other ballot measures
             10      initiated by citizen petition by requiring fiscal impact estimates and by authorizing the
             11      repeal or amendment of laws when final estimated costs exceed initial cost estimates by
             12      a certain amount.
             13      Highlighted Provisions:
             14          This bill:
             14a          H. .    establishes uniform standards for determining whether a signer's signature on a
             14b      local initiative petition is valid or not;
             14c          .    provides for placement of birth date information on initiative petitions; .H
             15          .    requires that statewide initiative petitions approved for signature circulation receive
             16      an initial fiscal impact review by the Governor's Office of Planning and Budget;
             17          .    requires that local initiative petitions S. [ and fluoride petitions ] .S approved for
             17a      signature
             18      circulation receive an initial fiscal impact review by the local budget officer;
             19          .    establishes a procedure for judicial review of contested initial fiscal impact
             20      statements;
             21          .    requires that the initial fiscal impact estimate be shown on each petition signature
             22      sheet;
             23          .    clarifies that public meetings on statewide initiative petitions be held only after
             24      issuance of the initial fiscal impact estimate;
             25      S. [     .    requires that petitions for adding fluorine to public water supplies comply with the
             26      procedures and requirements for local initiatives;
] .S

             27          .    requires that voter information pamphlets include the initial fiscal impact estimate


             28      issued for each statewide or local initiative;
             29          .    requires that the initial fiscal impact estimate appear on the ballot for all statewide
             30      and local initiatives;
             31          .    requires that a final fiscal impact statement be issued by the Governor's Office of
             32      Planning and Budget, or by the local budget officer for local initiatives S. [ or for
             33      petitions to add or remove fluorine
] .S
, for each initiative that is approved by the voters; S. and .S
             34          .    when the final fiscal impact statement for a statewide or local initiative exceeds the
             35      initial fiscal impact estimate by S. [ 15% ] 25% .S or more, authorizes the Legislature, or the
             36      local legislative body in the case of a local initiative, to repeal the law, amend the
             37      law, or inform the voters that they may bring a new initiative to repeal the law
             38      enacted by passage of the initiative S. [ ; and
             39          .    when there is a petition to obtain voter approval to add fluorine to a water system,
             40      and the final cost estimate for adding fluorine exceeds the initial fiscal impact
             41      estimate by 15% or more, authorizes the governing body having jurisdiction over
             42      the water system to cease efforts to add fluorine to the water, to submit the matter
             43      for a new vote, or to inform the voters that they may bring a new petition to repeal
             44      the decision to add fluorine to the water
] .S
.
             45      Monies Appropriated in this Bill:
             46          None
             47      Other Special Clauses:
             48          None
             49      Utah Code Sections Affected:
             50      AMENDS:
             51      S. [     19-4-111, as last amended by Chapter 185, Laws of Utah 2003
             52          19-4-111.1, as enacted by Chapter 16, Laws of Utah 2002
             53          19-4-111.2, as enacted by Chapter 15, Laws of Utah 2002
] .S

             54          20A-7-101, as last amended by Chapters 21 and 272, Laws of Utah 1994
             55          20A-7-203, as last amended by Chapter 90, Laws of Utah 2004
             56          20A-7-204.1, as enacted by Chapter 304, Laws of Utah 2003
             57          20A-7-209, as last amended by Chapters 57, 65 and 169, Laws of Utah 2001
             58          20A-7-402, as last amended by Chapter 272, Laws of Utah 1994


             59          20A-7-503, as last amended by Chapter 3, Laws of Utah 2000
             59a          H. 20A-7-506, as last amended by Chapter 3, laws of Utah 2000 .H
             60          20A-7-702, as last amended by Chapter 90, Laws of Utah 2004
             61      ENACTS:
             62          20A-7-202.5, Utah Code Annotated 1953
             63          20A-7-214, Utah Code Annotated 1953
             64          20A-7-502.5, Utah Code Annotated 1953
             64a          H. 20A-7-506.3, Utah Code Annotated 1953 .H
             65          20A-7-513, Utah Code Annotated 1953
             66     
             67      Be it enacted by the Legislature of the state of Utah:
             68           S. [ Section 1. Section 19-4-111 is amended to read:
             69          19-4-111. Fluorine added to or removed from water -- Election required.
             70          (1) As used in this section:
             71          (a) "Budget officer" means:
             72          (i) in the case of a county water system, the person designated as budget officer in
             73      Section 17-19-19 ;
             74          (ii) in the case of a city water system, the person designated as budget officer in
             75      Subsection 10-6-106 (5);
             76          (iii) in the case of a town water system, the town council; or
             77          (iv) in the case of a special district water system, the person designated as budget
             78      officer in Section 17A-1-404 .
             79          (b) "Final fiscal impact statement" means a financial statement prepared after voters
             80      approve a petition for adding or removing fluorine that contains the information required by
             81      Subsection 20A-7-502.5 (2).
             82          (c) "Governing body" means:
             83          (i) the county legislative body, for county water systems;
             84          (ii) the municipal legislative body, for municipal water systems; or
             85          (iii) the special district board, for special district water systems.
             86          (d) "Initial fiscal impact estimate" means a financial statement prepared according to
             87      the terms of Section 20A-7-502.5 after the filing of an application for a petition to add or
             88      remove fluorine.
             89          (e) "Removal" means ceasing to add fluorine to a public water supply after the addition
] .S


             90      S. [ was previously approved by the voters of a political subdivision.
             91          [(1)] (2) (a) Except as provided in Subsection 19-4-104 (1)(a)(i), public water supplies,
             92      whether state, county, municipal, or district, may not have fluorine or any of its derivatives or
             93      compounds added to or removed from them without the approval of a majority of voters in an
             94      election in the area affected.
             95          (b) An election shall be held:
             96          (i) upon the filing of [an initiative] a petition requesting the action [in accordance with
             97      state law governing initiative petitions] that complies with the procedures, requirements, and
             98      ballot qualification requirements of Title 20A, Chapter 7, Part 5, Local Initiatives - Procedures;
             99          (ii) in the case of a municipal, special district, or county water system which is
             100      functionally separate from any other water system, upon the passage of a resolution by the
             101      [legislative body or special district board] governing body representing the affected voters,
             102      submitting the question to the affected voters at a municipal general election; or
             103          (iii) in a county of the first or second class, upon the passage of a resolution by the
             104      county legislative body to [place an opinion question relating] submit to the voters the question
             105      of whether to add fluorine to all public water systems within the county, except as provided in
             106      Subsection [(2)] (3), on the ballot at a general election.
             107          [(2)] (3) If a majority of voters on [an opinion] the question submitted under authority
             108      of Subsection [(1)] (2)(b)(iii) approve the addition of fluorine to or the removal of fluorine
             109      from the public water supplies within the county, the local health departments shall require the
             110      addition of fluorine to or the removal of fluorine from all public water supplies within that
             111      county other than those systems:
             112          (a) that are functionally separate from any other public water systems in that county;
             113      and
             114          (b) where a majority of the voters served by the public water system voted against the
             115      addition or removal of fluorine on the [opinion] question submitted under the authority of
             116      Subsection [(1)] (2)(b)(iii).
             117          (4) (a) If the voters vote to add fluorine to one or more water systems pursuant to a
             118      petition requesting the ballot issue, the governing body shall:
             119          (i) within ten days of the date of the election, direct the budget officer to prepare a final
             120      fiscal impact statement for the cost of adding fluorine using current financial information and
] .S


             121      S. [ containing the information required by Section 20A-7-502.5 ; and
             122          (ii) no later than 180 days after the date of the election, review the final fiscal impact
             123      statement.
             124          (b) If the final fiscal impact statement's estimate of the cost of adding fluorine to a
             125      water system exceeds the cost attributed to that water system in the initial fiscal impact
             126      estimate by 15% or more, the governing body may, by a majority vote in a public meeting:
             127          (i) direct that all efforts to add fluorine to the water system be ceased immediately
             128      because of the added cost;
             129          (ii) direct that the question of whether or not to add fluorine to the water system be
             130      submitted to the voters for a new vote because of the increased cost; or
             131          (iii) inform the voters that they may file an initiative petition to repeal the decision to
             132      add fluorine to the water system.
             133          [(3)] (5) Nothing contained in this section prohibits the addition of chlorine or other
             134      water purifying agents.
             135          [(4)] (6) Any political subdivision [which, prior to November 2, 1976,] that decided to
             136      and was adding fluorine or any of its derivatives or compounds to the drinking water before
             137      December 31, 2004, is considered to have complied with [Subsection (1)] Subsections (2) and
             138      (4).
             139          [(5) In] (7) Notwithstanding Subsection (4)(b), in an election held pursuant to
             140      [Subsections (1)] Subsection (2)(b)(i), (ii), or (iii), where a majority of the voters approve the
             141      addition to or removal of fluorine from the public water supplies, no election to consider
             142      removing fluorine from or adding fluorine to the public water supplies shall be held for a
             143      period of four years from the date of approval by the majority of voters beginning with
             144      elections held in November 2000.
             145          [(6) For purposes of this section, "removal" means ceasing to add fluorine to a public
             146      water supply, the addition having been previously approved by the voters of a political
             147      subdivision.]
             148          Section 2.
Section 19-4-111.1 is amended to read:
             149          19-4-111.1. Provision of fluoridated water -- Request of resident.
             150          A public water system in a county of the first or second class whose entire water
             151      inventory is fluoridated may supply water to a residence or business in a municipality that is
] .S


             152      S. [ located in two counties, one that has approved fluoridation and one that has not approved
             153      fluoridation in accordance with [Subsection ] Section 19-4-111 [(1)] if:
             154          (1) the owner requests that the public water system supply water to the residence or
             155      business;
             156          (2) no reasonable alternative water supply exists; and
             157          (3) the owner's request can be fulfilled without affecting other residences or businesses
             158      in the municipality or county that has not approved fluoridation.
             159          Section 3.
Section 19-4-111.2 is amended to read:
             160          19-4-111.2. Provision of fluoridated water -- Emergency circumstances.
             161          (1) A public water system that is simultaneously supplying water to a municipality or
             162      county that approved fluoridation in accordance with Section 19-4-111 and a municipality or
             163      county that has not approved fluoridation may provide water from its fluoridated inventory to a
             164      municipality or county that has not approved fluoridation if:
             165          (a) as a result of a short-term emergency, the only water available is from the public
             166      water system's fluoridated inventory;
             167          (b) the public water system ceases providing fluoridated water to the municipality or
             168      county that has not approved fluoridation in accordance with [Subsection ] Section
             169      19-4-111 [(1)] in a time consistent with repair times following best industrial practice; and
             170          (c) where feasible provide prompt notice to the affected area.
             171          (2) (a) A resident of an affected area that does not wish to receive fluoridated water
             172      during an emergency may contact the public water system to have delivery of fluoridated water
             173      to their residence or business terminated.
             174          (b) The resident shall determine when to resume delivery of water and shall contact the
             175      public water system to have delivery of water resumed.
] .S
             176          Section S. [ 4 ] 1 .S . Section 20A-7-101 is amended to read:
             177           20A-7-101. Definitions.
             178          As used in this chapter:
             179          (1) "Budget officer" means:
             180          (a) for counties, the person designated as budget officer in Section 17-19-19 ;
             181          (b) for cities, the person designated as budget officer in Subsection 10-6-106 (5); or
             182          (c) for towns, the town council.


             183          [(1)] (2) "Certified" means that the county clerk has acknowledged a signature as being
             184      the signature of a registered voter.
             185          [(2)] (3) "Circulation" means the process of submitting an initiative or referendum
             186      petition to legal voters for their signature.
             187          (4) "Final fiscal impact statement" means a financial statement prepared after voters
             188      approve an initiative that contains the information required by Subsection 20A-7-202.5 (2) or
             189      20A-7-502.5 (2).
             190          (5) "Initial fiscal impact estimate" means a financial statement prepared according to
             191      the terms of Section 20A-7-202.5 or 20A-7-502.5 after the filing of an application for an
             192      initiative petition.
             193          [(3)] (6) "Initiative" means a new law proposed for adoption by the public as provided
             194      in this chapter.
             195          [(4)] (7) "Initiative packet" means a copy of the initiative petition, a copy of the
             196      proposed law, and the signature sheets, all of which have been bound together as a unit.
             197          [(5)] (8) "Legal signatures" means the number of signatures of legal voters that:
             198          (a) meet the numerical requirements of this chapter; and
             199          (b) have been certified and verified as provided in this chapter.
             200          [(6)] (9) "Legal voter" means a person who:
             201          (a) is registered to vote; or
             202          (b) becomes registered to vote before the county clerk certifies the signatures on an
             203      initiative or referendum petition.
             204          [(7)] (10) (a) "Local law" includes an ordinance, resolution, master plan, and any
             205      comprehensive zoning regulations adopted by ordinance or resolution.
             206          (b) "Local law" does not include individual property zoning decisions.
             207          [(8)] (11) "Local attorney" means the county attorney, city attorney, or town attorney in
             208      whose jurisdiction a local initiative or referendum petition is circulated.
             209          [(9)] (12) "Local clerk" means the county clerk, city recorder, or town clerk in whose
             210      jurisdiction a local initiative or referendum petition is circulated.
             211          [(10)] (13) "Local legislative body" means the legislative body of a county, city, or
             212      town.
             213          [(11)] (14) "Measure" means an initiative or referendum.


             214          [(12)] (15) "Referendum" means a law passed by the Legislature or by a local
             215      legislative body that is being submitted to the voters for their approval or rejection.
             216          [(13)] (16) "Referendum packet" means a copy of the referendum petition, a copy of
             217      the law being submitted to the voters for their approval or rejection, and the signature sheets,
             218      all of which have been bound together as a unit.
             219          [(14)] (17) "Signature sheets" means sheets in the form required by this chapter that are
             220      used to collect signatures in support of an initiative or referendum.
             221          [(15)] (18) "Sponsors" means the legal voters who support the initiative or referendum
             222      and who sign the application for petition copies.
             223          [(16)] (19) "Sufficient" means that the signatures submitted in support of an initiative
             224      or referendum petition have been certified and verified as required by this chapter.
             225          [(17)] (20) "Verified" means acknowledged by the person circulating the petition as
             226      required in Sections 20A-7-205 and 20A-7-305 .
             227          Section 5. Section 20A-7-202.5 is enacted to read:
             228          20A-7-202.5. Initial fiscal impact estimate -- Preparation of estimate -- Challenge
             229      to estimate.
             230          (1) Within three working days of receipt of an application for an initiative petition, the
             231      lieutenant governor shall submit a copy of the application to the Governor's Office of Planning
             232      and Budget.
             233          (2) (a) The Governor's Office of Planning and Budget shall prepare an unbiased, good
             234      faith estimate of the fiscal impact of the law proposed by the initiative that contains:
             235          (i) a dollar amount representing the total estimated fiscal impact of the proposed law;
             236          (ii) if the proposed law would increase or decrease taxes, a dollar amount representing
             237      the total estimated increase or decrease for each type of tax affected under the proposed law
             238      and a dollar amount representing the total estimated increase or decrease in taxes under the
             239      proposed law;
             240          (iii) if the proposed law would result in the issuance or a change in the status of bonds,
             241      notes, or other debt instruments, a dollar amount representing the total estimated increase or
             242      decrease in public debt under the proposed law;
             243          (iv) a listing of all sources of funding for the estimated costs associated with the
             244      proposed law showing each source of funding and the percentage of total funding provided


             245      from each source;
             246          (v) a dollar amount representing the estimated costs or savings, if any, to state and
             247      local government entities under the proposed law; and
             248          (vi) a concise explanation, not exceeding 100 words, of the above information and of
             249      the estimated fiscal impact, if any, under the proposed law.
             250          (b) (i) If the proposed law is estimated to have no fiscal impact, the Governor's Office
             251      of Planning and Budget shall include a summary statement in the initial fiscal impact statement
             252      in substantially the following form:
             253          "The Governor's Office of Planning and Budget estimates that the law proposed by this
             254      initiative would have no significant fiscal impact and would not result in either an increase or
             255      decrease in taxes or debt."
             256          (ii) If the proposed law is estimated to have a fiscal impact, the Governor's Office of
             257      Planning and Budget shall include a summary statement in the initial fiscal impact estimate in
             258      substantially the following form:
             259          "The Governor's Office of Planning and Budget estimates that the law proposed by this
             260      initiative would result in a total fiscal expense/savings of $______, which includes a (type of
             261      tax or taxes) tax increase/decrease of $______ and a $______ increase/decrease in state debt."
             262          (iii) If the estimated fiscal impact of the proposed law is highly variable or is otherwise
             263      difficult to reasonably express in a summary statement, the Governor's Office of Planning and
             264      Budget may include in the summary statement a brief explanation that identifies those factors
             265      affecting the variability or difficulty of the estimate.
             266          (3) Within 25 calendar days from the date that the lieutenant governor delivers a copy
             267      of the application, the Governor's Office of Planning and Budget shall:
             268          (a) deliver a copy of the initial fiscal impact estimate to the lieutenant governor's
             269      office; and
             270          (b) mail a copy of the initial fiscal impact estimate to the first five sponsors named in
             271      the initiative application.
             272          (4) (a) (i) Three or more of the sponsors of the petition may, within 20 calendar days of
             273      the date of delivery of the initial fiscal impact estimate to the lieutenant governor's office, file a
             274      petition with the Supreme Court, alleging that the initial fiscal impact estimate, taken as a
             275      whole, is an inaccurate estimate of the fiscal impact of the initiative.


             276          (ii) After receipt of the appeal, the Supreme Court shall direct the lieutenant governor
             277      to send notice of the petition to:
             278          (A) any person or group that has filed an argument with the lieutenant governor's office
             279      for or against the measure that is the subject of the challenge; and
             280          (B) any political issues committee established under Section 20A-11-801 that has filed
             281      written or electronic notice with the lieutenant governor that identifies the name, mailing or
             282      email address, and telephone number of the person designated to receive notice about any
             283      issues relating to the initiative.
             284          (b) (i) There is a presumption that the initial fiscal impact estimate prepared by the
             285      Governor's Office of Planning and Budget is based upon reasonable assumptions, uses
             286      reasonable data, and applies accepted analytical methods to present the estimated fiscal impact
             287      of the initiative.
             288          (ii) The Supreme Court may not revise the contents of, or direct the revision of, the
             289      initial fiscal impact estimate unless the plaintiffs rebut the presumption by clear and convincing
             290      evidence that establishes that the initial fiscal estimate, taken as a whole, is an inaccurate
             291      statement of the estimated fiscal impact of the initiative.
             292          (c) The Supreme Court shall, within 30 calendar days of the date that the appeal is
             293      filed, certify to the lieutenant governor a fiscal impact estimate for the measure that meets the
             294      requirements of this section.
             295          Section 6. Section 20A-7-203 is amended to read:
             296           20A-7-203. Form of initiative petition and signature sheets.
             297          (1) (a) Each proposed initiative petition shall be printed in substantially the following
             298      form:
             299          "INITIATIVE PETITION To the Honorable ____, Lieutenant Governor:
             300          We, the undersigned citizens of Utah, respectfully demand that the following proposed
             301      law be submitted to the legal voters/Legislature of Utah for their/its approval or rejection at the
             302      regular general election/session to be held/ beginning on _________(month\day\year);
             303          Each signer says:
             304          I have personally signed this petition;
             305          I am registered to vote in Utah or intend to become registered to vote in Utah before the
             306      certification of the petition names by the county clerk; and


             307          My residence and post office address are written correctly after my name.
             308          NOTICE TO SIGNERS:
             309          Public hearings to discuss this petition were held at: (list dates and locations of public
             310      hearings.)"
             311          (b) The sponsors of an initiative shall attach a copy of the proposed law to each
             312      initiative petition.
             313          (2) Each signature sheet shall:
             314          (a) be printed on sheets of paper 8-1/2 inches long and 11 inches wide;
             315          (b) be ruled with a horizontal line 3/4 inch from the top, with the space above that line
             316      blank for the purpose of binding;
             317          (c) contain the title of the initiative printed below the horizontal line;
             318          (d) contain the initial fiscal impact estimate's summary statement issued by the
             319      Governor's Office of Planning and Budget according to Subsection 20A-7-202.5 (2)(b), printed
             320      or typed in not less than 12-point, bold type, at the top of each signature sheet under the title of
             321      the initiative;
             322          [(d)] (e) contain the word "Warning" printed or typed at the top of each signature sheet
             323      under the [title of the initiative] initial fiscal impact estimate's summary statement;
             324          [(e)] (f) contain, to the right of the word "Warning," the following statement printed or
             325      typed in not less than eight-point, single leaded type:
             326          "It is a class A misdemeanor for anyone to sign any initiative petition with any other
             327      name than his own, or knowingly to sign his name more than once for the same measure, or to
             328      sign an initiative petition when he knows he is not a registered voter and knows that he does
             329      not intend to become registered to vote before the certification of the petition names by the
             330      county clerk."; and
             331          [(f)] (g) be vertically divided into columns as follows:
             332          (i) the first column shall appear at the extreme left of the sheet, be 5/8 inch wide, be
             333      headed with "For Office Use Only," and be subdivided with a light vertical line down the
             334      middle with the left subdivision entitled "Registered" and the right subdivision left untitled;
             335          (ii) the next column shall be three inches wide, headed "Registered Voter's Printed
             336      Name (must be legible to be counted)";
             337          (iii) the next column shall be three inches wide, headed "Signature of Registered


             338      Voter"; and
             339          (iv) the final column shall be 4-3/8 inches wide, headed "Street Address, City, Zip
             340      Code".
             341          (3) The final page of each initiative packet shall contain the following printed or typed
             342      statement:
             343          "Verification
             344          State of Utah, County of ____
             345          I, _______________, of ____, hereby state that:
             346          I am a resident of Utah and am at least 18 years old;
             347          All the names that appear in this packet were signed by persons who professed to be the
             348      persons whose names appear in it, and each of them signed his name on it in my presence;
             349          I believe that each has printed and signed his name and written his post office address
             350      and residence correctly, and that each signer is registered to vote in Utah or intends to become
             351      registered to vote before the certification of the petition names by the county clerk.
             352          I have not paid or given anything of value to any person who signed this petition to
             353      encourage that person to sign it.    
             354      ________________________________________________________________________
             355          (Name) (Residence Address) (Date)"
             356          (4) The forms prescribed in this section are not mandatory, and, if substantially
             357      followed, the initiative petitions are sufficient, notwithstanding clerical and merely technical
             358      errors.
             359          Section 7. Section 20A-7-204.1 is amended to read:
             360           20A-7-204.1. Public hearings to be held before initiative petitions are circulated.
             361          (1) (a) [Before] After issuance of the initial fiscal impact estimate by the Governor's
             362      Office of Planning and Budget and before circulating initiative petitions for signature
             363      statewide, sponsors of the initiative petition shall hold at least seven public hearings throughout
             364      Utah as follows:
             365          (i) one in the Bear River region -- Box Elder, Cache, or Rich County;
             366          (ii) one in the Southwest region -- Beaver, Garfield, Iron, Kane, or Washington
             367      County;
             368          (iii) one in the Mountain region -- Summit, Utah, or Wasatch County;


             369          (iv) one in the Central region -- Juab, Millard, Piute, Sanpete, Sevier, or Wayne
             370      County;
             371          (v) one in the Southeast region -- Carbon, Emery, Grand, or San Juan County;
             372          (vi) one in the Uintah Basin region -- Daggett, Duchesne, or Uintah County; and
             373          (vii) one in the Wasatch Front region -- Davis, Morgan, Salt Lake, Tooele, or Weber
             374      County.
             375          (b) Of the seven meetings, at least two of the meetings must be held in a first or second
             376      class county, but not in the same county.
             377          (2) At least three calendar days before the date of the public hearing, the sponsors
             378      shall:
             379          (a) provide written notice of the public hearing to:
             380          (i) the lieutenant governor for posting on the state's website; and
             381          (ii) each state senator, state representative, and county commission or county council
             382      member who is elected in whole or in part from the region where the public hearing will be
             383      held; and
             384          (b) publish written notice of the public hearing detailing its time, date, and location in
             385      at least one newspaper of general circulation in each county in the region where the public
             386      hearing will be held.
             387          (3) (a) During the public hearing, the sponsors shall either:
             388          (i) video tape or audio tape the public hearing and, when the hearing is complete,
             389      deposit the complete audio or video tape of the meeting with the lieutenant governor; or
             390          (ii) take comprehensive minutes of the public hearing, detailing the names and titles of
             391      each speaker and summarizing each speaker's comments.
             392          (b) The lieutenant governor shall make copies of the tapes or minutes available to the
             393      public.
             394          Section 8. Section 20A-7-209 is amended to read:
             395           20A-7-209. Ballot title -- Duties of lieutenant governor and Office of Legislative
             396      Research and General Counsel.
             397          (1) By July 6 before the regular general election, the lieutenant governor shall deliver a
             398      copy of all of the proposed laws that have qualified for the ballot to the Office of Legislative
             399      Research and General Counsel.


             400          (2) (a) The Office of Legislative Research and General Counsel shall:
             401          (i) entitle each state initiative that has qualified for the ballot "Citizen's State Initiative
             402      Number __" and give it a number;
             403          (ii) prepare an impartial ballot title for each initiative summarizing the contents of the
             404      measure; and
             405          (iii) return each petition and ballot title to the lieutenant governor by July 20.
             406          (b) The ballot title may be distinct from the title of the proposed law attached to the
             407      initiative petition, and shall be not more than 100 words.
             408          [(c) The ballot title and the number of the measure as determined by the Office of
             409      Legislative Research and General Counsel shall be printed on the official ballot.]
             410          (c) For each state initiative, the official ballot shall show:
             411          (i) the number of the initiative as determined by the Office of Legislative Research and
             412      General Counsel;
             413          (ii) the ballot title as determined by the Office of Legislative Research and General
             414      Counsel; and
             415          (iii) the initial fiscal impact estimate prepared under Section 20A-7-202.5 .
             416          (3) By July 21, the lieutenant governor shall mail a copy of the ballot title to any
             417      sponsor of the petition.
             418          (4) (a) (i) At least three of the sponsors of the petition may, by July 30, challenge the
             419      wording of the ballot title prepared by the Office of Legislative Research and General Counsel
             420      to the Supreme Court.
             421          (ii) After receipt of the appeal, the Supreme Court shall direct the lieutenant governor
             422      to send notice of the appeal to:
             423          (A) any person or group that has filed an argument for or against the measure that is the
             424      subject of the challenge; or
             425          (B) any political issues committee established under Section 20A-11-801 that has filed
             426      written or electronic notice with the lieutenant governor that identifies the name, mailing or
             427      email address, and telephone number of the person designated to receive notice about any
             428      issues relating to the initiative.
             429          (b) (i) There is a presumption that the ballot title prepared by the Office of Legislative
             430      Research and General Counsel is an impartial summary of the contents of the initiative.


             431          (ii) The Supreme Court may not revise the wording of the ballot title unless the
             432      plaintiffs rebut the presumption by clearly and convincingly establishing that the ballot title is
             433      patently false or biased.
             434          (c) The Supreme Court shall:
             435          (i) examine the ballot title;
             436          (ii) hear arguments; and
             437          (iii) by August 10, certify to the lieutenant governor a ballot title for the measure that
             438      meets the requirements of this section.
             439          (d) By September 1, the lieutenant governor shall certify the title verified by the
             440      Supreme Court to the county clerks to be printed on the official ballot.
             441          Section 9. Section 20A-7-214 is enacted to read:
             442          20A-7-214. Fiscal review -- Repeal, amendment, or resubmission.
             443          (1) No later 60 days after the date of an election in which the voters approve an
             444      initiative petition, the Governor's Office of Planning and Budget shall:
             445          (a) for each initiative approved by the voters, prepare a final fiscal impact statement,
             446      using current financial information and containing the information required by Subsection
             447      20A-7-202.5 (2); and
             448          (b) deliver a copy of the final fiscal impact statement to:
             449          (i) the president of the Senate;
             450          (ii) the minority leader of the Senate;
             451          (iii) the speaker of the House or Representatives;
             452          (iv) the minority leader of the House of Representatives; and
             453          (v) the first five sponsors listed on the initiative application.
             454          (2) If the final fiscal impact statement exceeds the initial fiscal impact estimate by
             454a      S. [ 15% ] 25% .S
             455      or more, the Legislature shall review the final fiscal impact statement and may, in any
             456      legislative session following the election in which the voters approved the initiative petition:
             457          (a) repeal the law established by passage of the initiative;
             458          (b) amend the law established by passage of the initiative; or
             459          (c) pass a joint or concurrent resolution informing the voters that they may file an
             460      initiative petition to repeal the law enacted by the passage of the initiative.
             461          Section 10. Section 20A-7-402 is amended to read:


             462           20A-7-402. Local voter information pamphlet -- Contents -- Limitations --
             463      Preparation -- Statement on front cover.
             464          (1) The county or municipality that is the subject of an initiative or referenda shall
             465      prepare a local voter information pamphlet that meets the requirements of this part.
             466          (2) (a) The arguments for and against initiatives and referenda shall conform to the
             467      requirements of this section.
             468          [(b)] (i) Persons wishing to prepare arguments for and against initiatives and referenda
             469      shall file a request with the local legislative body at least 45 days before the election at which
             470      the proposed measure is to be voted upon.
             471          [(c)] (ii) If more than one person or group requests the opportunity to prepare
             472      arguments for or against any measure, the governing body shall make the final designation
             473      according to the following criteria:
             474          [(i)] (A) sponsors have priority in making the argument for a measure; and
             475          [(ii)] (B) members of the local legislative body have priority over others.
             476          [(d)] (iii) The arguments in favor of the measure shall be prepared by the sponsors,
             477      whether of the local legislative body or of a voter or voter group, but not more than five names
             478      shall appear as sponsors.
             479          [(e)] (iv) The arguments against the measure shall be prepared by opponents from
             480      among the local legislative body, if any, or from among voters requesting permission of the
             481      local legislative body to prepare these arguments.
             482          [(f)] (v) The arguments may not exceed 500 words in length.
             483          [(g)] (vi) The arguments supporting and opposing any county or municipal measure
             484      shall be filed with the local clerk not less than 30 days before the election at which they are to
             485      be voted upon.
             486          (b) The local voter information pamphlet shall include a copy of the initial fiscal
             487      impact estimate prepared for each initiative under Section 20A-7-502.5 .
             488          (3) (a) In preparing the local voter information pamphlet, the local legislative body
             489      shall:
             490          (i) ensure that the arguments are printed on the same sheet of paper upon which the
             491      proposed measure is also printed;
             492          (ii) ensure that the following statement is printed on the front cover or the heading of


             493      the first page of the printed arguments:
             494          "The arguments for or against the proposed measure(s) are the opinions of the authors.";
             495          (iii) pay for the printing and binding of the local voter information pamphlet; and
             496          (iv) ensure that the local clerk distributes the pamphlets either by mail or carrier not
             497      less than eight days before the election at which the measures are to be voted upon.
             498          (b) (i) If the proposed measure exceeds 500 words in length, the local legislative body
             499      may direct the local clerk to summarize the measure in 500 words or less.
             500          (ii) The summary shall state where a complete copy of the measure is available for
             501      public review.
             502          Section 11. Section 20A-7-502.5 is enacted to read:
             503          20A-7-502.5. Initial fiscal impact estimate -- Preparation of estimate -- Challenge
             504      to estimate.
             505          (1) Within three working days of receipt of an application for an initiative petition, the
             506      local clerk shall submit a copy of the application to the budget officer.
             507          (2) (a) The budget officer shall prepare an unbiased, good faith estimate of the fiscal
             508      impact of the law proposed by the initiative that contains:
             509          (i) a dollar amount representing the total estimated fiscal impact of the proposed law;
             510          (ii) if the proposed law would increase or decrease taxes, a dollar amount representing
             511      the total estimated increase or decrease for each type of tax affected under the proposed law
             512      and a dollar amount representing the total estimated increase or decrease in taxes under the
             513      proposed law;
             514          (iii) if the proposed law would result in the issuance or a change in the status of bonds,
             515      notes, or other debt instruments, a dollar amount representing the total estimated increase or
             516      decrease in public debt under the proposed law;
             517          (iv) a listing of all sources of funding for the estimated costs associated with the
             518      proposed law showing each source of funding and the percentage of total funding provided
             519      from each source;
             520          (v) a dollar amount representing the estimated costs or savings, if any, to state and
             521      local government entities under the proposed law; and
             522          (vi) a concise explanation, not exceeding 100 words, of the above information and of
             523      the estimated fiscal impact, if any, under the proposed law.


             524          (b) (i) If the proposed law is estimated to have no fiscal impact, the local budget officer
             525      shall include a summary statement in the initial fiscal impact statement in substantially the
             526      following form:
             527          "The (title of the local budget officer) estimates that the law proposed by this initiative
             528      would have no significant fiscal impact and would not result in either an increase or decrease in
             529      taxes or debt."
             530          (ii) If the proposed law is estimated to have a fiscal impact, the local budget officer
             531      shall include a summary statement in the initial fiscal impact estimate in substantially the
             532      following form:
             533          "The (title of the local budget officer) estimates that the law proposed by this initiative
             534      would result in a total fiscal expense/savings of $______, which includes a (type of tax or
             535      taxes) tax increase/decrease of $______ and a $______ increase/decrease in public debt."
             536          (iii) If the estimated fiscal impact of the proposed law is highly variable or is otherwise
             537      difficult to reasonably express in a summary statement, the local budget officer may include in
             538      the summary statement a brief explanation that identifies those factors affecting the variability
             539      or difficulty of the estimate.
             540          (3) Within 25 calendar days from the date that the local clerk delivers a copy of the
             541      application, the budget officer shall:
             542          (a) deliver a copy of the initial fiscal impact estimate to the local clerk's office; and
             543          (b) mail a copy of the initial fiscal impact estimate to the first five sponsors named in
             544      the application.
             545          (4) (a) Three or more of the sponsors of the petition may, within 20 calendar days of
             546      the date of delivery to the initial fiscal impact estimate to the local clerk's office, file a petition
             547      with the Supreme Court, alleging that the initial fiscal impact estimate, taken as a whole, is an
             548      inaccurate estimate of the fiscal impact of the initiative.
             549          (b) (i) There is a presumption that the initial fiscal impact estimate prepared by the
             550      budget officer is based upon reasonable assumptions, uses reasonable data, and applies
             551      accepted analytical methods to present the estimated fiscal impact of the initiative.
             552          (ii) The Supreme Court may not revise the contents of, or direct the revision of, the
             553      initial fiscal impact estimate unless the plaintiffs rebut the presumption by clear and convincing
             554      evidence that establishes that the fiscal estimate, taken as a whole, is an inaccurate statement of


             555      the estimated fiscal impact of the initiative.
             556          (c) The Supreme Court shall, within 30 calendar days of the date that the appeal is
             557      filed, certify to the local clerk an initial fiscal impact estimate for the measure that meets the
             558      requirements of this section.
             559          Section 12. Section 20A-7-503 is amended to read:
             560           20A-7-503. Form of initiative petitions and signature sheets.
             561          (1) (a) Each proposed initiative petition shall be printed in substantially the following
             562      form:
             563          "INITIATIVE PETITION To the Honorable ____, County Clerk/City Recorder/Town
             564      Clerk:
             565          We, the undersigned citizens of Utah, respectfully demand that the following proposed
             566      law be submitted to: the legislative body for its approval or rejection at its next meeting; and
             567      the legal voters of the county/city/town, if the legislative body rejects the proposed law or takes
             568      no action on it.
             569          Each signer says:
             570          I have personally signed this petition;
             571          I am registered to vote in Utah or intend to become registered to vote in Utah before the
             572      certification of the petition names by the county clerk; and
             573          My residence and post office address are written correctly after my name."
             574          (b) The sponsors of an initiative shall attach a copy of the proposed law to each
             575      initiative petition.
             576          (2) Each signature sheet shall:
             577          (a) be printed on sheets of paper 8-1/2 inches long and 11 inches wide;
             578          (b) be ruled with a horizontal line 3/4 inch from the top, with the space above that line
             579      blank for the purpose of binding;
             580          (c) contain the title of the initiative printed below the horizontal line;
             581          (d) contain the initial fiscal impact estimate's summary statement issued by the budget
             582      officer according to Subsection 20A-7-502.5 (2)(b) printed or typed in not less than 12-point,
             583      bold type, at the top of each signature sheet under the title of the initiative;
             584          [(d)] (e) contain the word "Warning" printed or typed at the top of each signature sheet
             585      under the [title of the initiative] initial fiscal impact estimate's summary statement;


             586          [(e)] (f) contain, to the right of the word "Warning," the following statement printed or
             587      typed in not less than eight-point, single leaded type:
             588          "It is a class A misdemeanor for anyone to sign any initiative petition with any other
             589      name than his own, or knowingly to sign his name more than once for the same measure, or to
             590      sign an initiative petition when he knows he is not a registered voter and knows that he does
             591      not intend to become registered to vote before the certification of the petition names by the
             592      county clerk.";
             593          [(f)] (g) contain horizontally ruled lines, 3/8 inch apart under the "Warning" statement
             594      required by this section;
             595          [(g)] (h) be vertically divided into columns as follows:
             596          (i) the first column shall appear at the extreme left of the sheet, be 5/8 inch wide, be
             597      headed with "For Office Use Only", and be subdivided with a light vertical line down the
             598      middle with the left subdivision entitled "Registered" and the right subdivision left untitled;
             599          (ii) the next column shall be H. [ three ] 2-1/2 .H inches wide, headed "Registered
             599a      Voter's Printed
             600      Name (must be legible to be counted)";
             601          (iii) the next column shall be H. [ three ] 2-1/2 .H inches wide, headed "Signature of
             601a      Registered
             602      Voter"; H. [ and ]
             602a          (iv) the next column shall be one inch wide, headed "Birth Date"; and
             603           [ (iv) ] (v) .H the final column shall be 4-3/8 inches wide, headed "Street Address, City, Zip
             604      Code"; and
             605          [(h)] (i) contain the following statement, printed or typed upon the back of each sheet:
             606          "Verification
             607          State of Utah, County of ____
             608          I, _______________, of ____, hereby state that:
             609          I am a resident of Utah and am at least 18 years old;
             610          All the names that appear on this sheet were signed by persons who professed to be the
             611      persons whose names appear in it, and each of them signed his name on it in my presence;
             612          I believe that each has printed and signed his name and written his post office address
             613      and residence correctly, and that each signer is registered to vote in Utah or intends to become
             614      registered to vote before the certification of the petition names by the county clerk.
             615          _____________________________"
             616          (3) The forms prescribed in this section are not mandatory, and, if substantially


             617      followed, the initiative petitions are sufficient, notwithstanding clerical and merely technical
             618      errors.
             618a          H. Section 13. Section 20A-7-506 is amended to read:
             618b               20A-7-506.   Submitting the initiative petition -- Certification of signatures by the    
             618c      county clerks -- Transfer to local clerk.
             618d              (1) No later than 120 days before any regular general election, for county initiatives, or
             618e          municipal general election, for municipal initiatives, the sponsors shall deliver each signed and
             618f          verified initiative packet to the county clerk of the county in which the packet was circulated.
             618g              (2) No later than 90 days before any general election, the county clerk shall:
             618h              (a) check the names of all persons completing the verification on the back of each signature
             618i      sheet to determine whether or not those persons are residents of Utah and are at least 18 years old; and
             618j              (b) submit the name of each of those persons who is not a Utah resident or who is not at
             618k      least 18 years old to the attorney general and county attorney.
             618l              (3) No later than 60 days before any general election, the county clerk shall:
             618m              (a) H. [ check all the names of the signers against the official registers to ] .H
             618n          determine whether or not H. [ the ] each .H signer is a voter H. according to the
             618o          requirements of Section 20A-7-506.3 .H ;
             618p              (b) certify on the petition whether or not each name is that of a voter; and
             618q              (c) deliver all of the packets to the local clerk.
             618r          Section 14. Section 20A-7-506.3 is enacted to read:
             618s          20A-7-506.3. Verification of petition signatures.
             618t          (1) (a) For the purposes of this section, "substantially similar name" means:
             618u          (i) the given name and surname shown on the petition, or both, contain only minor spelling
             618v      differences when compared to the given name and surname shown on the official register;
             618w          (ii) the surname shown on the petition exactly matches the surname shown on the official
             618x      register, and the given names differ only because one of the given names shown is a commonly used
             618y      abbreviation or variation of the other;
             618z          (iii) the surname shown on the petition exactly matches the surname shown on the official
             618aa      register, and the given names differ only because one of the given names shown is accompanied by a
             618ab      first or middle initial or a middle name which is not shown on the other record; or
             618ac          (iv) the surname shown on the petition exactly matches the surname shown on the official
             618ad      register, and the given names differ only because one of the given names shown is an alphabetically
             618ae      corresponding initial that has been provided in the place of a given name shown on the other record.
             618af          (b) For the purposes of this section, "substantially similar name" does not mean a name
             618ag      having an initial or a middle name shown on the petition that does not match a different initial or
             618ah      middle name shown on the official register.
             618ai          (2) The county clerk shall use the following procedures in determining whether or not a signer
             618aj      is a registered voter:
             618ak          (a) When a signer's name and address shown on the petition exactly match a name and
             618al      address shown on the official register, the county clerk shall declare the signature valid.
             618am          (b) When there is no exact match of an address and a name, the county clerk shall declare the
             618an      signature valid if the address on the petition matches the address of a person on the official register
             618ao      with a substantially similar name.


             618ap          (c) When there is no match of an address and a substantially similar name, the county clerk
             618aq      shall declare the signature valid if the birth date on the petition matches the birth date of a person on
             618ar      the official register with a substantially similar name.    
             618as          (d) If a signature is not declared valid under Subsection (2)(a), (2)(b), or (2)(c), the county
             618at      clerk shall declare the signature to be invalid. .H
             619          Section H. [ 13 ] (15) .H . Section 20A-7-513 is enacted to read:
             620          20A-7-513. Fiscal review -- Repeal, amendment, or resubmission.
             621          (1) No later than 60 days after the date of an election in which the voters approve an
             622      initiative petition, the budget officer shall:
             623          (a) for each initiative approved by the voters, prepare a final fiscal impact statement,
             624      using current financial information and containing the information required by Subsection
             625      20A-7-502.5 (2); and
             626          (b) deliver a copy of the final fiscal impact statement to:
             627          (i) the local legislative body of the jurisdiction where the initiative was circulated;
             628          (ii) the local clerk; and
             629          (iii) the first five sponsors listed on the initiative application.
             630          (2) If the final fiscal impact statement exceeds the initial fiscal impact estimate by
             630a      S. [ 15% ] 25% .S
             631      or more, the local legislative body shall review the final fiscal impact statement and may, by a
             632      majority vote:
             633          (a) repeal the law established by passage of the initiative;
             634          (b) amend the law established by the passage of the initiative; or
             635          (c) pass a resolution informing the voters that they may file an initiative petition to
             636      repeal the law enacted by the passage of the initiative.
             637          Section H. [ 14 ] (16) .H . Section 20A-7-702 is amended to read:
             638           20A-7-702. Voter information pamphlet -- Form -- Contents -- Distribution.
             639          (1) The lieutenant governor shall ensure that all information submitted for publication
             640      in the voter information pamphlet is:
             641          (a) printed and bound in a single pamphlet;
             642          (b) printed in clear readable type, no less than ten-point, except that the text of any
             643      measure may be set forth in eight-point type; and
             644          (c) printed on a quality and weight of paper that best serves the voters.
             645          (2) The voter information pamphlet shall contain the following items in this order:
             646          (a) a cover title page;
             647          (b) an introduction to the pamphlet by the lieutenant governor;


             648          (c) a table of contents;
             649          (d) a list of all candidates for constitutional offices;
             650          (e) a list of candidates for each legislative district;
             651          (f) a 100-word statement of qualifications for each candidate for the office of governor,
             652      lieutenant governor, attorney general, state auditor, or state treasurer, if submitted by the
             653      candidate to the lieutenant governor's office before July 15 at 5 p.m.;
             654          (g) information pertaining to all measures to be submitted to the voters, beginning a
             655      new page for each measure and containing, in the following order for each measure:
             656          (i) a copy of the number and ballot title of the measure;
             657          (ii) the final vote cast by the Legislature on the measure if it is a measure submitted by
             658      the Legislature or by referendum;
             659          (iii) the impartial analysis of the measure prepared by the Office of Legislative
             660      Research and General Counsel;
             661          (iv) the arguments in favor of the measure, the rebuttal to the arguments in favor of the
             662      measure, the arguments against the measure, and the rebuttal to the arguments against the
             663      measure, with the name and title of the authors at the end of each argument or rebuttal;
             664          (v) for each constitutional amendment, a complete copy of the text of the constitutional
             665      amendment, with all new language underlined, and all deleted language placed within brackets;
             666      and
             667          (vi) for each initiative qualified for the ballot, a copy of the measure as certified by the
             668      lieutenant governor and a copy of the fiscal impact estimate prepared according to Section
             669      20A-7-202.5 ;
             670          (h) a description provided by the Judicial Council of the selection and retention process
             671      for judges, including, in the following order:
             672          (i) a description of the judicial selection process;
             673          (ii) a description of the judicial performance evaluation process;
             674          (iii) a description of the judicial retention election process;
             675          (iv) a list of the criteria and minimum standards of judicial performance evaluation;
             676          (v) the names of the judges standing for retention election; and
             677          (vi) for each judge:
             678          (A) the counties in which the judge is subject to retention election;


             679          (B) a short biography of professional qualifications and a recent photograph;
             680          (C) for each standard of performance, a statement identifying whether or not the judge
             681      met the standard and, if not, the manner in which the judge failed to meet the standard;
             682          (D) a statement provided by the Utah Supreme Court identifying the cumulative
             683      number of informal reprimands, when consented to by the judge in accordance with Subsection
             684      78-8-107 (2)[(d)], formal reprimands, and all orders of censure and suspension issued by the
             685      Utah Supreme Court under Utah Constitution Article VIII, Section 13 during the judge's
             686      current term and the immediately preceding term, and a detailed summary of the supporting
             687      reasons for each violation of the Code of Judicial Conduct that the judge has received; and
             688          (E) a statement identifying whether or not the judge was certified by the Judicial
             689      Council;
             690          (vii) (A) except as provided in Subsection (2)(h)(vii)(B), for each judge, in graphic
             691      format, the responses for each attorney, jury, and other survey question used by the Judicial
             692      Council for certification of judges, displayed in 1% increments;
             693          (B) notwithstanding Subsection (2)(h)(vii)(A), if the sample size for the survey for a
             694      particular judge is too small to provide statistically reliable information in 1% increments, the
             695      survey results for that judge shall be reported as being above or below 70% and a statement by
             696      the surveyor explaining why the survey is statistically unreliable shall also be included;
             697          (i) an explanation of ballot marking procedures prepared by the lieutenant governor,
             698      indicating the ballot marking procedure used by each county and explaining how to mark the
             699      ballot for each procedure;
             700          (j) voter registration information, including information on how to obtain an absentee
             701      ballot;
             702          (k) a list of all county clerks' offices and phone numbers; and
             703          (l) on the back cover page, a printed copy of the following statement signed by the
             704      lieutenant governor:
             705          "I, _______________ (print name), Lieutenant Governor of Utah, certify that the
             706      measures contained in this pamphlet will be submitted to the voters of Utah at the election to
             707      be held throughout the state on ____ (date of election), and that this pamphlet is complete and
             708      correct according to law. SEAL
             709          Witness my hand and the Great Seal of the State, at Salt Lake City, Utah this ____ day


             710      of ____ (month), ____ (year)
             711     
(signed) ____________________________________
             712     
Lieutenant Governor"
             713          (3) The lieutenant governor shall:
             714          (a) ensure that one copy of the voter information pamphlet is placed in one issue of
             715      every newspaper of general circulation in the state not more than 40 nor less than 15 days
             716      before the day fixed by law for the election;
             717          (b) ensure that a sufficient number of printed voter information pamphlets are available
             718      for distribution as required by this section;
             719          (c) provide voter information pamphlets to each county clerk for free distribution upon
             720      request and for placement at polling places; and
             721          (d) ensure that the distribution of the voter information pamphlets is completed 15 days
             722      before the election.




Legislative Review Note
    as of 1-18-05 3:19 PM


Based on a limited legal review, this legislation has not been determined to have a high
probability of being held unconstitutional.

Office of Legislative Research and General Counsel


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