2
3
4
5
6
7
8 LONG TITLE
9 General Description:
10 This bill amends provisions of the Election Code relating to initiatives, referenda, and
11 political activities of public entities.
12 Highlighted Provisions:
13 This bill:
14 ▸ defines terms;
15 ▸ provides for the publication of a proposition information pamphlet to inform voters
16 of arguments for and against proposed and pending local initiatives and referenda;
17 ▸ amends provisions relating to a local voter information pamphlet;
18 ▸ enacts provisions for holding a public hearing to discuss and present arguments
19 relating to a proposed or pending local initiative or referendum;
20 ▸ requires the lieutenant governor to create instructional materials regarding local
21 initiatives and referenda;
22 ▸ modifies requirements relating to local initiatives and referenda, including:
23 • petition, petition circulation, and petition signature requirements;
24 • timelines; and
25 • appeals and other challenges;
26 ▸ enacts provisions relating to determining whether a proposed local initiative or
27 referendum is legally referable to voters;
28 ▸ amends provisions regarding the use of email, and the expenditure of public funds,
29 for political purposes relating to proposed and pending initiatives and referenda;
30 ▸ requires certain municipalities to establish voter participation areas;
31 ▸ modifies signature requirements for a local initiative or referendum;
32 ▸ establishes procedures and requirements relating to a referendum for a local land
33 use law;
34 ▸ modifies a referendum petition and signature sheets for a local referendum;
35 ▸ amends provisions relating to unlawful verification of a local referendum packet;
36 ▸ modifies signature submission requirements, and signature removal procedures and
37 requirements, relating to a local referendum;
38 ▸ amends provisions regarding the use of email, and the expenditure of public funds,
39 for political purposes relating to proposed and pending local initiatives and
40 referenda;
41 ▸ regulates the dissemination of information regarding a proposed or pending
42 initiative or referendum by a county or municipality; and
43 ▸ makes technical and conforming amendments.
44 Money Appropriated in this Bill:
45 None
46 Other Special Clauses:
47 This bill provides revisor instructions.
48 This bill provides a coordination clause.
49 Utah Code Sections Affected:
50 AMENDS:
51 11-14-301, as last amended by Laws of Utah 2018, Chapter 284
52 20A-7-101, as last amended by Laws of Utah 2017, Chapter 291
53 20A-7-402, as last amended by Laws of Utah 2017, Chapters 91, 147, and 291
54 20A-7-501, as last amended by Laws of Utah 2016, Chapter 176
55 20A-7-502, as last amended by Laws of Utah 2017, Chapter 291
56 20A-7-502.5, as last amended by Laws of Utah 2017, Chapter 291
57 20A-7-504, as last amended by Laws of Utah 2016, Chapter 365
58 20A-7-505, as last amended by Laws of Utah 2012, Chapter 72
59 20A-7-506, as last amended by Laws of Utah 2012, Chapter 72
60 20A-7-506.3, as last amended by Laws of Utah 2011, Chapter 17
61 20A-7-507, as last amended by Laws of Utah 2011, Chapter 17
62 20A-7-508, as last amended by Laws of Utah 2017, Chapter 291
63 20A-7-509, as last amended by Laws of Utah 2009, Chapter 202
64 20A-7-510, as last amended by Laws of Utah 2010, Chapter 367
65 20A-7-512, as last amended by Laws of Utah 2013, Chapter 253
66 20A-7-513, as last amended by Laws of Utah 2017, Chapter 291
67 20A-7-601, as last amended by Laws of Utah 2016, Chapter 365
68 20A-7-602, as last amended by Laws of Utah 2016, Chapter 365
69 20A-7-602.5, as enacted by Laws of Utah 2014, Chapter 364
70 20A-7-603, as last amended by Laws of Utah 2016, Chapter 365
71 20A-7-604, as last amended by Laws of Utah 2016, Chapter 365
72 20A-7-605, as last amended by Laws of Utah 2012, Chapter 72
73 20A-7-606.3, as last amended by Laws of Utah 2011, Chapter 17
74 20A-7-607, as last amended by Laws of Utah 2014, Chapter 396
75 20A-7-608, as last amended by Laws of Utah 2008, Chapter 315
76 20A-7-609.5, as enacted by Laws of Utah 2014, Chapter 396
77 20A-7-610, as last amended by Laws of Utah 2010, Chapter 367
78 20A-7-612, as last amended by Laws of Utah 2001, Chapter 20
79 20A-7-613, as last amended by Laws of Utah 2016, Chapters 350, 365, and 367
80 20A-11-1202, as last amended by Laws of Utah 2017, Chapter 68
81 20A-11-1203, as last amended by Laws of Utah 2015, Chapter 435
82 20A-11-1205, as last amended by Laws of Utah 2018, Chapter 44
83 20A-11-1206, as enacted by Laws of Utah 2015, Chapter 435
84 63I-2-220, as last amended by Laws of Utah 2018, Chapters 187 and 458
85 ENACTS:
86 20A-7-401.3, Utah Code Annotated 1953
87 20A-7-401.5, Utah Code Annotated 1953
88 20A-7-405, Utah Code Annotated 1953
89 20A-7-406, Utah Code Annotated 1953
90 20A-7-407, Utah Code Annotated 1953
91 20A-7-502.7, Utah Code Annotated 1953
92 20A-7-602.7, Utah Code Annotated 1953
93 20A-7-602.8, Utah Code Annotated 1953
94 Utah Code Sections Affected by Revisor Instructions:
95 20A-7-407, Utah Code Annotated 1953
96 Utah Code Sections Affected by Coordination Clause:
97 20A-7-402, as last amended by Laws of Utah 2017, Chapters 91, 147, and 291
98
99 Be it enacted by the Legislature of the state of Utah:
100 Section 1. Section 11-14-301 is amended to read:
101 11-14-301. Issuance of bonds by governing body -- Computation of indebtedness
102 under constitutional and statutory limitations.
103 (1) If the governing body has declared the bond proposition to have carried and no
104 contest has been filed, or if a contest has been filed and favorably terminated, the governing
105 body may proceed to issue the bonds voted at the election.
106 (2) (a) It is not necessary that all of the bonds be issued at one time, but, except as
107 otherwise provided in this Subsection (2), bonds approved by the voters may not be issued
108 more than 10 years after the day on which the election is held.
109 (b) The 10-year period described in Subsection (2)(a) is tolled if, at any time during the
110 10-year period:
111 (i) an application for a referendum petition is filed with a local clerk, in accordance
112 with Section 20A-7-602 [
113 law relating to the bonds; or
114 (ii) the bonds are challenged in a court of law or an administrative proceeding in
115 relation to:
116 (A) the legality or validity of the bonds, or the election or proceedings authorizing the
117 bonds;
118 (B) the authority of the local political subdivision to issue the bonds;
119 (C) the provisions made for the security or payment of the bonds; or
120 (D) any other issue that materially and adversely affects the marketability of the bonds,
121 as determined by the individual or body that holds the executive powers of the local political
122 subdivision.
123 (c) [
124 8, 2002, but before May 14, 2019, a tolling period described in Subsection (2)(b)(i) ends on the
125 later of the day on which:
126 (i) the local clerk determines that the petition is insufficient, in accordance with
127 Subsection 20A-7-607(2)(c), unless an application, described in Subsection 20A-7-607(4)(a), is
128 made to [
129 (ii) [
130 the petition for the referendum is not legally sufficient; or
131 (iii) for a referendum petition that is sufficient, the governing body declares, as
132 provided by law, the results of the referendum election on the local obligation law.
133 (d) For a bond described in this section that was approved by voters on or after May
134 14, 2019, a tolling period described in Subsection (2)(b)(i) ends:
135 (i) if a county, city, town, metro township, or court determines, under Section
136 20A-7-602.7, that the proposed referendum is not legally referable to voters, the later of:
137 (A) the day on which the county, city, town, or metro township provides the notice
138 described in Subsection 20A-7-602.7(1)(b)(ii); or
139 (B) if a sponsor appeals, under Subsection 20A-7-602.7(4), the day on which a court
140 decision that the proposed referendum is not legally referable to voters becomes final; or
141 (ii) if a county, city, town, metro township, or court determines, under Section
142 20A-7-602.7, that the proposed referendum is legally referable to voters, the later of:
143 (A) the day on which the local clerk determines, under Section 20A-7-607, that the
144 number of certified names is insufficient for the proposed referendum to appear on the ballot;
145 or
146 (B) if the local clerk determines, under Section 20A-7-607, that the number of certified
147 names is sufficient for the proposed referendum to appear on the ballot, the day on which the
148 governing body declares, as provided by law, the results of the referendum election on the local
149 obligation law.
150 [
151 (i) there is a final settlement, a final adjudication, or another type of final resolution of
152 all challenges described in Subsection (2)(b)(ii); and
153 (ii) the individual or body that holds the executive powers of the local political
154 subdivision issues a document indicating that all challenges described in Subsection (2)(b)(ii)
155 are resolved and final.
156 [
157 Subsection (2) and, when the tolling ends and after giving effect to the tolling, the period of
158 time remaining to issue the bonds is less than one year, the period of time remaining to issue
159 the bonds shall be extended to one year.
160 [
161 described in this section that were approved by voters on or after May 8, 2002.
162 (3) (a) Bonds approved by the voters may not be issued to an amount that will cause
163 the indebtedness of the local political subdivision to exceed that permitted by the Utah
164 Constitution or statutes.
165 (b) In computing the amount of indebtedness that may be incurred pursuant to
166 constitutional and statutory limitations, the constitutionally or statutorily permitted percentage,
167 as the case may be, shall be applied to the fair market value, as defined under Section 59-2-102,
168 of the taxable property in the local political subdivision, as computed from the last applicable
169 equalized assessment roll before the incurring of the additional indebtedness.
170 (c) In determining the fair market value of the taxable property in the local political
171 subdivision as provided in this section, the value of all tax equivalent property, as defined in
172 Section 59-3-102, shall be included as a part of the total fair market value of taxable property
173 in the local political subdivision, as provided in Title 59, Chapter 3, Tax Equivalent Property
174 Act.
175 (4) Bonds of improvement districts issued in a manner that they are payable solely
176 from the revenues to be derived from the operation of the facilities of the district may not be
177 included as bonded indebtedness for the purposes of the computation.
178 (5) Where bonds are issued by a city, town, or county payable solely from revenues
179 derived from the operation of revenue-producing facilities of the city, town, or county, or
180 payable solely from a special fund into which are deposited excise taxes levied and collected by
181 the city, town, or county, or excise taxes levied by the state and rebated pursuant to law to the
182 city, town, or county, or any combination of those excise taxes, the bonds shall be included as
183 bonded indebtedness of the city, town, or county only to the extent required by the Utah
184 Constitution, and any bonds not so required to be included as bonded indebtedness of the city,
185 town, or county need not be authorized at an election, except as otherwise provided by the Utah
186 Constitution, the bonds being hereby expressly excluded from the election requirement of
187 Section 11-14-201.
188 (6) A bond election is not void when the amount of bonds authorized at the election
189 exceeded the limitation applicable to the local political subdivision at the time of holding the
190 election, but the bonds may be issued from time to time in an amount within the applicable
191 limitation at the time the bonds are issued.
192 (7) (a) A local political subdivision may not receive, from the issuance of bonds
193 approved by the voters at an election, an aggregate amount that exceeds by more than 2% the
194 maximum principal amount stated in the bond proposition.
195 (b) The provision in Subsection (7)(a) applies to bonds issued pursuant to an election
196 held after January 1, 2019.
197 Section 2. Section 20A-7-101 is amended to read:
198 20A-7-101. Definitions.
199 As used in this chapter:
200 (1) "Budget officer" means:
201 (a) for a county, the person designated as budget officer in Section 17-19a-203;
202 (b) for a city, the person designated as budget officer in Subsection 10-6-106(5);
203 (c) for a town, the town council; or
204 (d) for a metro township, the person described in Subsection (1)(a) for the county in
205 which the metro township is located.
206 (2) "Certified" means that the county clerk has acknowledged a signature as being the
207 signature of a registered voter.
208 (3) "Circulation" means the process of submitting an initiative or referendum petition
209 to legal voters for their signature.
210 (4) "Eligible voter" means a legal voter who resides in the jurisdiction of the county,
211 city, or town that is holding an election on a ballot proposition.
212 (5) "Final fiscal impact statement" means a financial statement prepared after voters
213 approve an initiative that contains the information required by Subsection 20A-7-202.5(2) or
214 20A-7-502.5(2).
215 (6) "Initial fiscal impact estimate" means:
216 (a) a financial statement prepared under Section 20A-7-202.5 after the filing of an
217 application for an initiative petition; or
218 (b) a financial and legal statement prepared under Section 20A-7-502.5 or 20A-7-602.5
219 for an initiative or referendum petition.
220 (7) "Initiative" means a new law proposed for adoption by the public as provided in
221 this chapter.
222 (8) "Initiative packet" means a copy of the initiative petition, a copy of the proposed
223 law, and the signature sheets, all of which have been bound together as a unit.
224 (9) (a) "Land use law" means a law of general applicability, enacted based on the
225 weighing of broad, competing policy considerations, that relates to the use of land, including
226 land use regulation, a general plan, a land use development code, an annexation ordinance, or a
227 comprehensive zoning ordinance or resolution.
228 (b) "Land use law" does not include a land use decision, as defined in Section
229 10-9a-103 or 17-27a-103.
230 [
231 (a) meet the numerical requirements of this chapter; and
232 (b) have been obtained, certified, and verified as provided in this chapter.
233 [
234 (a) is registered to vote; or
235 (b) becomes registered to vote before the county clerk certifies the signatures on an
236 initiative or referendum petition.
237 (12) "Legally referable to voters" means:
238 (a) for a proposed local initiative, that the proposed local initiative is legally referable
239 to voters under Section 20A-7-502.7; or
240 (b) for a proposed local referendum, that the proposed local referendum is legally
241 referable to voters under Section 20A-7-602.7.
242 [
243 in whose jurisdiction a local initiative or referendum petition is circulated.
244 [
245 jurisdiction a local initiative or referendum petition is circulated.
246 [
247 (i) an ordinance;
248 (ii) a resolution;
249 [
250 [
251 (iii) a land use law; or
252 [
253 (b) "Local law" does not include an individual property zoning decision.
254 [
255 or metro township.
256 [
257 body regarding a bond that was approved by a majority of qualified voters in an election.
258 [
259 annual or biannual calendar fiscal year, that increases a tax or imposes a new tax.
260 [
261 referendum.
262 [
263 by a local legislative body is submitted or referred to the voters for their approval or rejection.
264 [
265 the law being submitted or referred to the voters for their approval or rejection, and the
266 signature sheets, all of which have been bound together as a unit.
267 [
268 (b) "Signature" does not mean an electronic signature.
269 [
270 used to collect signatures in support of an initiative or referendum.
271 (24) "Special local ballot proposition" means a local ballot proposition that is not a
272 standard local ballot proposition.
273 [
274 and who sign the application for petition copies.
275 (26) (a) "Standard local ballot proposition" means a local ballot proposition for an
276 initiative or a referendum.
277 (b) "Standard local ballot proposition" does not include a property tax referendum
278 described in Section 20A-7-613.
279 [
280 or referendum petition have been certified and verified as required by this chapter.
281 [
282 proposed by an initiative or an initiative petition and the current tax rate.
283 [
284 percentage difference by the current tax rate and rounding the result to the nearest thousandth.
285 [
286 required in Sections 20A-7-205 and 20A-7-305.
287 Section 3. Section 20A-7-401.3 is enacted to read:
288 20A-7-401.3. Voter participation areas.
289 (1) (a) Except as provided in Subsection (2):
290 (i) a metro township with a population of 65,000 or more, a city of the first or second
291 class, or a county of the first or second class shall, no later than January 1, 2020, again on
292 January 1, 2022, and January 1 each 10 years after 2022, divide the metro township, city, or
293 county into eight contiguous and compact voter participation areas of substantially equal
294 population; and
295 (ii) a metro township with a population of 10,000 or more, a city of the third or fourth
296 class, or a county of the third or fourth class shall, no later than January 1, 2020, again on
297 January 1, 2022, and January 1 each 10 years after 2022, divide the metro township, city, or
298 county into four contiguous and compact voter participation areas of substantially equal
299 population.
300 (b) A metro township, city, or county shall use the voter participation areas described
301 in Subsection (1)(a) or (2)(b) for the purpose described in Sections 20A-7-501 and 20A-7-601.
302 (2) (a) This section does not apply to a metro township with a population of less than
303 10,000, a county of the fifth or sixth class, a city of the fifth class, or a town.
304 (b) A metro township, city, or county that has established council districts that are not
305 at-large districts may, regardless of the number of council districts that are not at-large districts,
306 use the council districts as voter participation areas under this section.
307 Section 4. Section 20A-7-401.5 is enacted to read:
308 20A-7-401.5. Proposition information pamphlet.
309 (1) (a) (i) Within 15 days after the day on which an eligible voter files an application to
310 circulate an initiative petition under Section 20A-7-502 or an application to circulate a
311 referendum petition under Section 20A-7-602:
312 (A) the sponsors of the proposed initiative or referendum may submit a written
313 argument in favor of the proposed initiative or referendum to the election officer of the county
314 or municipality to which the petition relates; and
315 (B) the county or municipality to which the application relates may submit a written
316 argument in favor of, or against, the proposed initiative or referendum to the county's or
317 municipality's election officer.
318 (ii) If a county or municipality submits more than one written argument under
319 Subsection (1)(a)(i)(B), the election officer shall select one of the written arguments, giving
320 preference to a written argument submitted by a member of a local legislative body if a
321 majority of the local legislative body supports the written argument.
322 (b) Within one business day after the day on which an election officer receives an
323 argument under Subsection (1)(a)(i)(A), the election officer shall provide a copy of the
324 argument to the county or municipality described in Subsection (1)(a)(i)(B) or (1)(a)(ii), as
325 applicable.
326 (c) Within one business day after the date on which an election officer receives an
327 argument under Subsection (1)(a)(i)(B), the election officer shall provide a copy of the
328 argument to the first three sponsors of the proposed initiative or referendum described in
329 Subsection (1)(a)(i)(A).
330 (d) The sponsors of the proposed initiative or referendum may submit a revised version
331 of the written argument described in Subsection (1)(a)(i)(A) to the election officer of the
332 county or municipality to which the petition relates within 20 days after the day on which the
333 eligible voter files an application to circulate an initiative petition under Section 20A-7-502 or
334 an application to circulate a referendum petition under Section 20A-7-602.
335 (e) The author of a written argument described in Subsection (1)(a)(i)(B) submitted by
336 a county or municipality may submit a revised version of the written argument to the county's
337 or municipality's election officer within 20 days after the day on which the eligible voter files
338 an application to circulate an initiative petition under Section 20A-7-502 or an application to
339 circulate a referendum petition under Section 20A-7-602.
340 (2) (a) A written argument described in Subsection (1) may not exceed 500 words.
341 (b) Except as provided in Subsection (2)(c), a person may not modify a written
342 argument described in Subsection (1)(d) or (e) after the written argument is submitted to the
343 election officer.
344 (c) The election officer and the person that submits the written argument described in
345 Subsection (1)(d) or (e) may jointly agree to modify the written argument to:
346 (i) correct factual, grammatical, or spelling errors; or
347 (ii) reduce the number of words to come into compliance with Subsection (2)(a).
348 (d) An election officer shall refuse to include a written argument in the proposition
349 information pamphlet described in this section if the person who submits the argument:
350 (i) fails to negotiate, in good faith, to modify the argument in accordance with
351 Subsection (2)(c); or
352 (ii) does not timely submit the written argument to the election officer.
353 (e) An election officer shall make a good faith effort to negotiate a modification
354 described in Subsection (2)(c) in an expedited manner.
355 (3) An election officer who receives a written argument described in Subsection (1)
356 shall prepare a proposition information pamphlet for publication that includes:
357 (a) a copy of the application for the proposed initiative or referendum;
358 (b) except as provided in Subsection (2)(d), immediately after the copy described in
359 Subsection (3)(a), the argument prepared by the sponsors of the proposed initiative or
360 referendum, if any;
361 (c) except as provided in Subsection (2)(d), immediately after the argument described
362 in Subsection (3)(b), the argument prepared by the county or municipality, if any; and
363 (d) a copy of the initial fiscal impact statement and legal impact statement described in
364 Section 20A-7-502.5 or 20A-7-602.5.
365 (4) (a) A proposition information pamphlet is a draft for purposes of Title 63G,
366 Chapter 2, Government Records Access and Management Act, until the earlier of when the
367 election officer:
368 (i) complies with Subsection (4)(b); or
369 (ii) publishes the proposition information pamphlet under Subsection (5) or (6).
370 (b) Within 21 days after the day on which the eligible voter files an application to
371 circulate an initiative petition under Section 20A-7-502, or an application to circulate a
372 referendum petition under Section 20A-7-602, the election officer shall provide a copy of the
373 proposition information pamphlet to the sponsors of the initiative or referendum and each
374 individual who submitted an argument included in the proposition information pamphlet.
375 (5) An election officer for a municipality shall publish the proposition information
376 pamphlet as follows:
377 (a) within the later of 10 days after the day on which the municipality or a court
378 determines that the proposed initiative or referendum is legally referable to voters, or, if the
379 election officer modifies an argument under Subsection (2)(c), three days after the day on
380 which the election officer and the person that submitted the argument agree on the
381 modification:
382 (i) by sending the proposition information pamphlet electronically to each individual in
383 the municipality for whom the municipality has an email address, unless the individual has
384 indicated that the municipality is prohibited from using the individual's email address for that
385 purpose; and
386 (ii) by posting the proposition information pamphlet on the Utah Public Notice
387 Website, created in Section 63F-1-701, and the home page of the municipality's website, if the
388 municipality has a website, until:
389 (A) if the sponsors of the proposed initiative or referendum do not timely deliver any
390 verified initiative packets under Section 20A-7-506 or any verified referendum packets under
391 Section 20A-7-606, the day after the date of the deadline for delivery of the verified initiative
392 packets or verified referendum packets;
393 (B) the local clerk determines, under Section 20A-7-507 or 20A-7-607, that the
394 number of signatures necessary to qualify the proposed initiative or referendum for placement
395 on the ballot is insufficient and the determination is not timely appealed or is upheld after
396 appeal; or
397 (C) the day after the date of the election at which the proposed initiative or referendum
398 appears on the ballot; and
399 (b) if the municipality regularly mails a newsletter, utility bill, or other material to the
400 municipality's residents, including an Internet address, where a resident may view the
401 proposition information pamphlet, in the next mailing, for which the municipality has not
402 begun preparation, that falls on or after the later of:
403 (i) 10 days after the day on which the municipality or a court determines that the
404 proposed initiative or referendum is legally referable to voters; or
405 (ii) if the election officer modifies an argument under Subsection (2)(c), three days
406 after the day on which the election officer and the person that submitted the argument agree on
407 the modification.
408 (6) An election officer for a county shall, within the later of 10 days after the day on
409 which the county or a court determines that the proposed initiative or referendum is legally
410 referable to voters, or, if the election officer modifies an argument under Subsection (2)(c),
411 three days after the day on which the election officer and the person that submitted the
412 argument agree on the modification, publish the proposition information pamphlet as follows:
413 (a) by sending the proposition information pamphlet electronically to each individual
414 in the county for whom the county has an email address obtained via voter registration; and
415 (b) by posting the proposition information pamphlet on the Utah Public Notice
416 Website, created in Section 63F-1-701, and the home page of the county's website, until:
417 (i) if the sponsors of the proposed initiative or referendum do not timely deliver any
418 verified initiative packets under Section 20A-7-506 or any verified referendum packets under
419 Section 20A-7-606, the day after the date of the deadline for delivery of the verified initiative
420 packets or verified referendum packets;
421 (ii) the local clerk determines, under Section 20A-7-507 or 20A-7-607, that the number
422 of signatures necessary to qualify the proposed initiative or referendum for placement on the
423 ballot is insufficient and the determination is not timely appealed or is upheld after appeal; or
424 (iii) the day after the date of the election at which the proposed initiative or referendum
425 appears on the ballot.
426 Section 5. Section 20A-7-402 is amended to read:
427 20A-7-402. Local voter information pamphlet -- Contents -- Limitations --
428 Preparation -- Statement on front cover.
429 (1) The county or municipality that is subject to a ballot proposition shall prepare a
430 local voter information pamphlet that complies with the requirements of this part.
431 [
432
433 [
434 municipality that is subject to a special local ballot proposition shall provide a notice that
435 complies with the requirements of Subsection [
436 (i) if the municipality regularly mails a newsletter, utility bill, or other material to the
437 municipality's residents, including the notice with a newsletter, utility bill, or other material;
438 (ii) posting the notice, until after the deadline described in Subsection [
439 passed, on:
440 (A) the Utah Public Notice Website created in Section 63F-1-701; and
441 (B) the home page of the municipality's website, if the municipality has a website; and
442 (iii) sending the notice electronically to each individual in the municipality for whom
443 the municipality has an email address.
444 (b) A county that is subject to a special local ballot proposition shall:
445 (i) send an electronic notice that complies with the requirements of Subsection [
446 (2)(c)(ii) to each individual in the county for whom the county has an email address; or
447 (ii) until after the deadline described in Subsection [
448 that complies with the requirements of Subsection [
449 (A) the Utah Public Notice Website created in Section 63F-1-701; and
450 (B) the home page of the county's website.
451 (c) A municipality or county that mails, sends, or posts a notice under Subsection [
452 (2)(a) or (b) shall:
453 (i) mail, send, or post the notice:
454 (A) not less than 90 days before the date of the election at which a special local ballot
455 proposition will be voted upon; or
456 (B) if the requirements of Subsection [
457 practicable after the special local ballot proposition is approved to be voted upon in an election;
458 and
459 (ii) ensure that the notice contains:
460 (A) the ballot title for the special local ballot proposition;
461 (B) instructions on how to file a request under Subsection [
462 (C) the deadline described in Subsection [
463 (d) To prepare [
464 an eligible voter shall file a request with the election officer at least 65 days before the election
465 at which the special local ballot proposition is to be voted on.
466 (e) If more than one eligible voter requests the opportunity to prepare [
467 argument for or against a special local ballot proposition, the election officer shall make the
468 final designation [
469 priority:
470 (i) sponsors have priority in preparing an argument regarding a special local ballot
471 proposition; and
472 (ii) members of the local legislative body have priority over others if a majority of the
473 local legislative body supports the written argument.
474 (f) (i) [
475 proposition may prepare [
476 (ii) [
477 (2)(e), an eligible voter opposed to the special local ballot proposition who submits a request
478 under Subsection [
479 ballot proposition.
480 [
481
482
483 [
484
485 [
486 relation to a special local ballot proposition shall:
487 (i) ensure that the written argument does not exceed 500 words in length;
488 (ii) ensure that the written argument does not list more than five names as sponsors;
489 (iii) submit the written argument to the election officer no later than 60 days before the
490 election day on which the ballot proposition will be submitted to the voters; and
491 (iv) include with the written argument the eligible voter's name, residential address,
492 postal address, email address if available, and phone number.
493 [
494 submitted after the deadline described in Subsection [
495 [
496 and against a special local ballot proposition shall, within one business day after the day on
497 which the election office receives both written arguments, send, via mail or email:
498 (i) a copy of the written argument in favor of the special local ballot proposition to the
499 eligible voter who submitted the written argument against the special local ballot proposition;
500 and
501 (ii) a copy of the written argument against the special local ballot proposition to the
502 eligible voter who submitted the written argument in favor of the special local ballot
503 proposition.
504 (b) The eligible voter who submitted a timely written argument in favor of the special
505 local ballot proposition:
506 (i) may submit to the election officer a written rebuttal argument of the written
507 argument against the special local ballot proposition;
508 (ii) shall ensure that the written rebuttal argument does not exceed 250 words in length;
509 and
510 (iii) shall submit the written rebuttal argument no later than 45 days before the election
511 day on which the special local ballot proposition will be submitted to the voters.
512 (c) The eligible voter who submitted a timely written argument against the special local
513 ballot proposition:
514 (i) may submit to the election officer a written rebuttal argument of the written
515 argument in favor of the special local ballot proposition;
516 (ii) shall ensure that the written rebuttal argument does not exceed 250 words in length;
517 and
518 (iii) shall submit the written rebuttal argument no later than 45 days before the election
519 day on which the special local ballot proposition will be submitted to the voters.
520 (d) An election officer shall refuse to accept and publish a written rebuttal argument in
521 relation to a special local ballot proposition that is submitted after the deadline described in
522 Subsection [
523 [
524 ballot proposition:
525 (i) an eligible voter may not modify [
526 argument after the eligible voter submits the written argument or written rebuttal argument to
527 the election officer; and
528 (ii) a person other than the eligible voter described in Subsection [
529 modify [
530 (b) The election officer, and the eligible voter who submits [
531 written rebuttal argument in relation to a special local ballot proposition, may jointly agree to
532 modify [
533 (i) correct factual, grammatical, or spelling errors; and
534 (ii) reduce the number of words to come into compliance with the requirements of this
535 section.
536 (c) An election officer shall refuse to accept and publish [
537 written rebuttal argument in relation to a special local ballot proposition if the eligible voter
538 who submits the written argument or written rebuttal argument fails to negotiate, in good faith,
539 to modify the written argument or written rebuttal argument in accordance with Subsection
540 [
541 [
542 designate another eligible voter to take the place of an eligible voter described in this section if
543 the original eligible voter is, due to injury, illness, death, or another circumstance, unable to
544 continue to fulfill the duties of an eligible voter described in this section.
545 (6) Sponsors whose written argument in favor of a standard local ballot proposition is
546 included in a proposition information pamphlet under Section 20A-7-401.5:
547 (a) may, if a written argument against the standard local ballot proposition is included
548 in the proposition information pamphlet, submit a written rebuttal argument to the election
549 officer;
550 (b) shall ensure that the written rebuttal argument does not exceed 250 words in length;
551 and
552 (c) shall submit the written rebuttal argument no later than 45 days before the election
553 day on which the standard local ballot proposition will be submitted to the voters.
554 (7) (a) A county or municipality that submitted a written argument against a standard
555 local ballot proposition that is included in a proposition information pamphlet under Section
556 20A-7-401.5:
557 (i) may, if a written argument in favor of the standard local ballot proposition is
558 included in the proposition information pamphlet, submit a written rebuttal argument to the
559 election officer;
560 (ii) shall ensure that the written rebuttal argument does not exceed 250 words in length;
561 and
562 (iii) shall submit the written rebuttal argument no later than 45 days before the election
563 day on which the ballot proposition will be submitted to the voters.
564 (b) If a county or municipality submits more than one written rebuttal argument under
565 Subsection (7)(a)(i), the election officer shall select one of the written rebuttal arguments,
566 giving preference to a written rebuttal argument submitted by a member of a local legislative
567 body.
568 (8) (a) An election officer shall refuse to accept and publish a written rebuttal argument
569 that is submitted after the deadline described in Subsection (6)(c) or (7)(a)(iii).
570 (b) Before an election officer publishes a local voter information pamphlet under this
571 section, a written rebuttal argument is a draft for purposes of Title 63G, Chapter 2, Government
572 Records Access and Management Act.
573 (c) An election officer who receives a written rebuttal argument described in this
574 section may not, before publishing the local voter information pamphlet described in this
575 section, disclose the written rebuttal argument, or any information contained in the written
576 rebuttal argument, to any person who may in any way be involved in preparing an opposing
577 rebuttal argument.
578 (9) (a) Except as provided in Subsection (9)(b), a person may not modify a written
579 rebuttal argument after the written rebuttal argument is submitted to the election officer.
580 (b) The election officer, and the person who submits a written rebuttal argument, may
581 jointly agree to modify a written rebuttal argument in order to:
582 (i) correct factual, grammatical, or spelling errors; or
583 (ii) reduce the number of words to come into compliance with the requirements of this
584 section.
585 (c) An election officer shall refuse to accept and publish a written rebuttal argument if
586 the person who submits the written rebuttal argument:
587 (i) fails to negotiate, in good faith, to modify the written rebuttal argument in
588 accordance with Subsection (9)(b); or
589 (ii) does not timely submit the written rebuttal argument to the election officer.
590 (d) An election officer shall make a good faith effort to negotiate a modification
591 described in Subsection (9)(b) in an expedited manner.
592 (10) An election officer may designate another person to take the place of a person who
593 submits a written rebuttal argument in relation to a standard local ballot proposition if the
594 person is, due to injury, illness, death, or another circumstance, unable to continue to fulfill the
595 person's duties.
596 [
597 fiscal impact estimate and the legal impact statement prepared for each initiative under Section
598 20A-7-502.5.
599 (b) If the initiative proposes a tax increase, the local voter information pamphlet shall
600 include the following statement in bold type:
601 "This initiative seeks to increase the current (insert name of tax) rate by (insert the tax
602 percentage difference) percent, resulting in a(n) (insert the tax percentage increase) percent
603 increase in the current tax rate."
604 [
605 shall:
606 (i) ensure that the written arguments are printed on the same sheet of paper upon which
607 the ballot proposition is also printed;
608 (ii) ensure that the following statement is printed on the front cover or the heading of
609 the first page of the printed written arguments:
610 "The arguments for or against a ballot proposition are the opinions of the authors.";
611 (iii) pay for the printing and binding of the local voter information pamphlet; and
612 (iv) not less than 15 days before, but not more than 45 days before, the election at
613 which the ballot proposition will be voted on, distribute, by mail or carrier, to each registered
614 voter entitled to vote on the ballot proposition:
615 (A) a voter information pamphlet; or
616 (B) the notice described in Subsection [
617 (b) (i) If the [
618 in length, the election officer may summarize the [
619 less.
620 (ii) The summary shall state where a complete copy of the ballot proposition is
621 available for public review.
622 (c) (i) The election officer may distribute a notice printed on a postage prepaid,
623 preaddressed return form that a person may use to request delivery of a voter information
624 pamphlet by mail.
625 (ii) The notice described in Subsection [
626 (A) the address of the Statewide Electronic Voter Information Website authorized by
627 Section 20A-7-801; and
628 (B) the phone number a voter may call to request delivery of a voter information
629 pamphlet by mail or carrier.
630 Section 6. Section 20A-7-405 is enacted to read:
631 20A-7-405. Public meeting.
632 (1) A county or municipality may not discuss a proposed initiative, an initiative, a
633 proposed referendum, or a referendum at a public meeting unless the county or municipality
634 complies with the requirements of this section.
635 (2) The legislative body of a county or municipality may hold a public meeting to
636 discuss a proposed initiative, an initiative, a proposed referendum, or a referendum if the
637 legislative body:
638 (a) allows equal time, within a reasonable limit, for presentations on both sides of the
639 proposed initiative, initiative, proposed referendum, or referendum;
640 (b) provides interested parties an opportunity to present oral testimony within
641 reasonable time limits; and
642 (c) holds the public meeting:
643 (i) during the legislative body's normal meeting time; or
644 (ii) for a meeting time other than the legislative body's normal meeting time, beginning
645 at or after 6 p.m.
646 (3) This section does not prohibit a working group meeting from being held before 6
647 p.m.
648 Section 7. Section 20A-7-406 is enacted to read:
649 20A-7-406. Informational materials.
650 The lieutenant governor shall create and publish to the lieutenant governor's website
651 instructions on how a person may:
652 (1) qualify a local initiative for the ballot under Part 5, Local Initiatives - Procedures;
653 or
654 (2) qualify a local referendum for the ballot under Part 6, Local Referenda -
655 Procedures.
656 Section 8. Section 20A-7-407 is enacted to read:
657 20A-7-407. Applicability of statute to pending processes.
658 (1) If a local initiative or local referendum process is pending as described in
659 Subsection (2), that local initiative or local referendum process:
660 (a) is subject to the provisions of law that were in effect on May 13, 2019; and
661 (b) is not subject to the provisions of this bill.
662 (2) A local initiative or local referendum process is pending under Subsection (1) if, on
663 or before May 13, 2019:
664 (a) (i) sponsors have filed an application to circulate the initiative petition under
665 Section 20A-7-502; or
666 (ii) sponsors have filed an application to circulate the referendum petition under
667 Section 20A-7-602; and
668 (b) the process described in Subsection (2)(a) has not concluded.
669 Section 9. Section 20A-7-501 is amended to read:
670 20A-7-501. Initiatives -- Signature requirements -- Time requirements.
671 [
672
673
674 [
675
676
677 [
678
679
680
681 [
682
683
684
685 [
686
687
688
689 [
690
691
692
693 [
694
695
696 [
697
698
699
700
701 (1) As used in this section:
702 (a) "Number of active voters" means the number of active voters in the county, city, or
703 town on the immediately preceding January 1.
704 (b) "Voter participation area" means an area described in Subsection 20A-7-401.3(1)(a)
705 or (2)(b).
706 (2) An eligible voter seeking to have an initiative submitted to a local legislative body
707 or to a vote of the people for approval or rejection shall obtain legal signatures equal to:
708 (a) for a county of the first class:
709 (i) 7.75% of the number of active voters in the county; and
710 (ii) beginning on January 1, 2020, 7.75% of the number of active voters in at least 75%
711 of the county's voter participation areas;
712 (b) for a metro township with a population of 100,000 or more, or a city of the first
713 class:
714 (i) 7.5% of the number of active voters in the metro township or city; and
715 (ii) beginning on January 1, 2020, 7.5% of the number of active voters in at least 75%
716 of the metro township's or city's voter participation areas;
717 (c) for a county of the second class:
718 (i) 8% of the number of active voters in the county; and
719 (ii) beginning on January 1, 2020, 8% of the number of active voters in at least 75% of
720 the county's voter participation areas;
721 (d) for a metro township with a population of 65,000 or more but less than 100,000, or
722 a city of the second class:
723 (i) 8.25% of the number of active voters in the metro township or city; and
724 (ii) beginning on January 1, 2020, 8.25% of the number of active voters in at least 75%
725 of the metro township's or city's voter participation areas;
726 (e) for a county of the third class:
727 (i) 9.5% of the number of active voters in the county; and
728 (ii) beginning on January 1, 2020, 9.5% of the number of active voters in at least 75%
729 of the county's voter participation areas;
730 (f) for a metro township with a population of 30,000 or more but less than 65,000, or a
731 city of the third class:
732 (i) 10% of the number of active voters in the metro township or city; and
733 (ii) beginning on January 1, 2020, 10% of the number of active voters in at least 75%
734 of the metro township's or city's voter participation areas;
735 (g) for a county of the fourth class:
736 (i) 11.5% of the number of active voters in the county; and
737 (ii) beginning on January 1, 2020, 11.5% of the number of active voters in at least 75%
738 of the county's voter participation areas;
739 (h) for a metro township with a population of 10,000 or more but less than 30,000, or a
740 city of the fourth class:
741 (i) 11.5% of the number of active voters in the metro township or city; and
742 (ii) beginning on January 1, 2020, 11.5% of the number of active voters in at least 75%
743 of the metro township's or city's voter participation areas;
744 (i) for a metro township with a population of 1,000 or more but less than 10,000, a city
745 of the fifth class, or a county of the fifth class, 25% of the number of active voters in the metro
746 township, city, or county; or
747 (j) for a metro township with a population of less than 1,000, a town, or a county of the
748 sixth class, 35% of the number of active voters in the metro township, town, or county.
749 [
750 equals or exceeds the number of names required by this section, the clerk or recorder shall
751 deliver the proposed law to the local legislative body at [
752 meeting.
753 [
754 without change or amendment within 30 days [
755 legislative body receives the proposed law under Subsection (3).
756 (b) The local legislative body may:
757 (i) adopt the proposed law and refer [
758 (ii) adopt the proposed law without referring [
759 (iii) reject the proposed law.
760 (c) If the local legislative body adopts the proposed law but does not refer [
761 proposed law to the people, [
762 laws.
763 (d) (i) If a county legislative body rejects a proposed [
764 law, or takes no action on [
765 law to the voters of the county at the next regular general election immediately after the
766 petition for the proposed law is filed under Section 20A-7-502.
767 (ii) If a local legislative body of a municipality rejects a proposed [
768
769 shall submit [
770 general election immediately after the petition is filed under Section 20A-7-502.
771 (e) (i) If [
772
773 a competing local law.
774 (ii) The local legislative body shall prepare and adopt the competing local law within
775 the [
776 period described in Subsection (4)(a).
777 (iii) If [
778 shall [
779 same election at which the initiative proposal is submitted under Subsection (4)(d).
780 (f) If conflicting local laws are submitted to the people at the same election and two or
781 more of the conflicting measures are approved by the people, [
782 the greatest number of affirmative votes shall control all conflicts.
783 Section 10. Section 20A-7-502 is amended to read:
784 20A-7-502. Local initiative process -- Application procedures.
785 (1) [
786 application with the local clerk.
787 (2) The application shall contain:
788 (a) the name and residence address of at least five sponsors of the initiative petition;
789 (b) a statement indicating that each of the sponsors[
790 [
791
792 [
793
794 [
795 [
796
797
798 (c) a statement indicating that each of the sponsors has voted in an election in Utah in
799 the last three years;
800 [
801 public;
802 [
803 (i) the title of the proposed law, which clearly expresses the subject of the law; and
804 (ii) the text of the proposed law; and
805 [
806 initiative petition seeks to increase the current (insert name of tax) rate by (insert the tax
807 percentage difference) percent, resulting in a(n) (insert the tax percentage increase) percent
808 increase in the current tax rate."
809 (3) A proposed law submitted under this section may not contain more than one subject
810 to the same extent a bill may not pass containing more than one subject as provided in Utah
811 Constitution, Article VI, Section 22.
812 Section 11. Section 20A-7-502.5 is amended to read:
813 20A-7-502.5. Initial fiscal and legal impact estimate -- Preparation of estimate.
814 (1) Within three [
815 business days after the day on which the local clerk receives an application for an initiative
816 petition, the local clerk shall submit a copy of the [
817 city, or town's budget officer.
818 (2) (a) The budget officer, together with legal counsel, shall prepare an unbiased, good
819 faith estimate of the fiscal and legal impact of the law proposed by the initiative that contains:
820 (i) a dollar amount representing the total estimated fiscal impact of the proposed law;
821 (ii) if the proposed law would increase or decrease taxes, a dollar amount representing
822 the total estimated increase or decrease for each type of tax affected under the proposed law
823 and a dollar amount representing the total estimated increase or decrease in taxes under the
824 proposed law;
825 (iii) if the proposed law would increase taxes, the tax percentage difference and the tax
826 percentage increase;
827 (iv) if the proposed law would result in the issuance or a change in the status of bonds,
828 notes, or other debt instruments, a dollar amount representing the total estimated increase or
829 decrease in public debt under the proposed law;
830 (v) a listing of all sources of funding for the estimated costs associated with the
831 proposed law showing each source of funding and the percentage of total funding provided
832 from each source;
833 (vi) a dollar amount representing the estimated costs or savings, if any, to state and
834 local government entities under the proposed law;
835 (vii) the proposed law's legal impact, including:
836 (A) any significant effects on a person's vested property rights;
837 (B) any significant effects on other laws or ordinances;
838 (C) any significant legal liability the city, county, or town may incur; and
839 (D) any other significant legal impact as determined by the budget officer and the legal
840 counsel; and
841 (viii) a concise explanation, not exceeding 100 words, of the above information and of
842 the estimated fiscal impact, if any, under the proposed law.
843 (b) (i) If the proposed law is estimated to have no fiscal impact, the local budget officer
844 shall include a summary statement in the initial fiscal impact statement in substantially the
845 following form:
846 "The (title of the local budget officer) estimates that the law proposed by this initiative
847 would have no significant fiscal impact and would not result in either an increase or decrease in
848 taxes or debt."
849 (ii) If the proposed law is estimated to have a fiscal impact, the local budget officer
850 shall include a summary statement in the initial fiscal impact estimate in substantially the
851 following form:
852 "The (title of the local budget officer) estimates that the law proposed by this initiative
853 would result in a total fiscal expense/savings of $______, which includes a (type of tax or
854 taxes) tax increase/decrease of $______ and a $______ increase/decrease in public debt."
855 (iii) If the estimated fiscal impact of the proposed law is highly variable or is otherwise
856 difficult to reasonably express in a summary statement, the local budget officer may include in
857 the summary statement a brief explanation that identifies those factors affecting the variability
858 or difficulty of the estimate.
859 (iv) If the proposed law would increase taxes, the local budget officer shall include a
860 summary statement in the initial fiscal impact statement in substantially the following form:
861 "This initiative petition seeks to increase the current (insert name of tax) rate by (insert
862 the tax percentage difference) percent, resulting in a(n) (insert the tax percentage increase)
863 percent increase in the current tax rate."
864 (3) The budget officer shall prepare an unbiased, good faith estimate of the cost of
865 printing and distributing information related to the initiative petition in the voter information
866 pamphlet as required by Section 20A-7-402.
867 (4) Within [
868
869 Subsection (1), the budget officer shall:
870 (a) deliver a copy of the initial fiscal impact estimate, including the legal impact
871 estimate, to the local clerk's office; and
872 (b) mail a copy of the initial fiscal impact estimate, including the legal impact estimate,
873 to the first [
874 [
875
876
877
878
879 [
880
881
882
883 [
884
885
886
887
888 [
889
890
891 [
892
893
894 Section 12. Section 20A-7-502.7 is enacted to read:
895 20A-7-502.7. Referability to voters.
896 (1) Within 20 days after the day on which an eligible voter files an application to
897 circulate an initiative petition under Section 20A-7-502, the county, city, town, or metro
898 township to which the initiative pertains shall:
899 (a) review the proposed law in the initiative application to determine whether the law is
900 legally referable to voters; and
901 (b) notify the first three sponsors, in writing, whether the proposed law is:
902 (i) legally referable to voters; or
903 (ii) rejected as not legally referable to voters.
904 (2) A proposed law in an initiative application is legally referable to voters unless:
905 (a) the proposed law is patently unconstitutional;
906 (b) the proposed law is nonsensical;
907 (c) the proposed law is administrative, rather than legislative, in nature;
908 (d) the proposed law could not become law if passed;
909 (e) the proposed law contains more than one subject as evaluated in accordance with
910 Subsection 20A-7-502(3);
911 (f) the subject of the proposed law is not clearly expressed in the law's title;
912 (g) the proposed law is identical or substantially similar to a legally referable proposed
913 law sought by an initiative application submitted to the local clerk, under Section 20A-7-502,
914 within two years before the day on which the application for the current proposed initiative is
915 filed; or
916 (h) the application for the proposed law was not timely filed or does not comply with
917 the requirements of this part.
918 (3) After the end of the 20-day period described in Subsection (1), a county, city, town,
919 or metro township may not:
920 (a) reject a proposed initiative as not legally referable to voters; or
921 (b) bring a legal action, other than to appeal a court decision, challenging a proposed
922 initiative on the grounds that the proposed initiative is not legally referable to voters.
923 (4) If a county, city, town, or metro township rejects a proposed initiative, a sponsor of
924 the proposed initiative may, within 10 days after the day on which a sponsor is notified under
925 Subsection (1)(b), appeal the decision to:
926 (a) district court; or
927 (b) the Supreme Court, if the Supreme Court has original jurisdiction over the appeal.
928 (5) If, on appeal, the court determines that the law proposed in the initiative petition is
929 legally referable to voters, the local clerk shall comply with Subsection 20A-7-504(2) within
930 five days after the day on which the determination, and any appeal of the determination, is
931 final.
932 Section 13. Section 20A-7-504 is amended to read:
933 20A-7-504. Circulation requirements -- Local clerk to provide sponsors with
934 materials.
935 (1) In order to obtain the necessary number of signatures required by this part, the
936 sponsors shall, after the sponsors receive the documents described in Subsections (2)(a) and (b)
937 and Subsection 20A-7-401.5(4)(b), circulate initiative packets that meet the form requirements
938 of this part.
939 (2) Within five days after the day on which a [
940
941 court determines, in accordance with Section 20A-7-502.7, that a law proposed in an initiative
942 petition is legally referable to voters, the local clerk shall furnish to the sponsors:
943 (a) one copy of the initiative petition; and
944 (b) one signature sheet.
945 (3) The sponsors of the petition shall:
946 (a) arrange and pay for the printing of all additional copies of the petition and signature
947 sheets; and
948 (b) ensure that the copies of the petition and signature sheets meet the form
949 requirements of this section.
950 (4) (a) The sponsors may prepare the initiative for circulation by creating multiple
951 initiative packets.
952 (b) The sponsors shall create those packets by binding a copy of the initiative petition,
953 a copy of the proposed law, and no more than 50 signature sheets together at the top in such a
954 way that the packets may be conveniently opened for signing.
955 (c) The sponsors need not attach a uniform number of signature sheets to each
956 initiative packet.
957 (d) The sponsors shall include, with each packet, a copy of the proposition information
958 pamphlet provided to the sponsors under Subsection 20A-7-401.5(4)(b).
959 [
960
961 [
962 [
963
964 [
965 Section 14. Section 20A-7-505 is amended to read:
966 20A-7-505. Obtaining signatures -- Verification -- Removal of signature.
967 (1) Any Utah voter may sign a local initiative petition if the voter is a legal voter and
968 resides in the local jurisdiction.
969 (2) (a) The sponsors shall ensure that the [
970 signature sheet was signed:
971 (i) is at least 18 years old and meets the residency requirements of Section 20A-2-105;
972 and
973 (ii) verifies each signature sheet by completing the verification printed on the last page
974 of each initiative packet.
975 (b) [
976 the initiative packet if the [
977 (3) (a) (i) Any voter who has signed an initiative petition may have the voter's signature
978 removed from the petition by submitting a notarized statement to that effect to the [
979 county clerk.
980 (ii) In order for the signature to be removed, the statement must be received by the
981 [
982 than seven days after the day on which the sponsors submit the last signature packet to the
983 county clerk.
984 (b) Upon timely receipt of the statement, the [
985 signature of the [
986 [
987
988 Section 15. Section 20A-7-506 is amended to read:
989 20A-7-506. Submitting the initiative petition -- Certification of signatures by the
990 county clerks -- Transfer to local clerk.
991 (1) (a) The sponsors shall deliver each signed and verified initiative packet to the
992 county clerk of the county in which the packet was circulated on or before the sooner of:
993 (i) for county initiatives:
994 (A) 316 days after the day on which the application is filed; or
995 (B) the April 15 immediately before the next regular general election immediately after
996 the application is filed under Section 20A-7-502; or
997 (ii) for municipal initiatives:
998 (A) 316 days after the day on which the application is filed; or
999 (B) the April 15 immediately before the next municipal general election immediately
1000 after the application is filed under Section 20A-7-502.
1001 (b) A sponsor may not submit an initiative packet after the deadline established in this
1002 Subsection (1).
1003 [
1004 [
1005
1006
1007 [
1008
1009 [
1010 initiative packet that is not verified in accordance with Section 20A-7-505.
1011 (3) No later than May 15, the county clerk shall:
1012 (a) determine whether or not each signer is a voter according to the requirements of
1013 Section 20A-7-506.3;
1014 (b) certify on the petition whether or not each name is that of a voter; and
1015 (c) deliver all of the verified packets to the local clerk.
1016 Section 16. Section 20A-7-506.3 is amended to read:
1017 20A-7-506.3. Verification of petition signatures.
1018 (1) (a) For the purposes of this section, "substantially similar name" means:
1019 (i) the given name and surname shown on the petition, or both, contain only minor
1020 spelling differences when compared to the given name and surname shown on the official
1021 register;
1022 (ii) the surname shown on the petition exactly matches the surname shown on the
1023 official register, and the given names differ only because one of the given names shown is a
1024 commonly used abbreviation or variation of the other;
1025 (iii) the surname shown on the petition exactly matches the surname shown on the
1026 official register, and the given names differ only because one of the given names shown is
1027 accompanied by a first or middle initial or a middle name which is not shown on the other
1028 record; or
1029 (iv) the surname shown on the petition exactly matches the surname shown on the
1030 official register, and the given names differ only because one of the given names shown is an
1031 alphabetically corresponding initial that has been provided in the place of a given name shown
1032 on the other record.
1033 (b) For the purposes of this section, "substantially similar name" does not mean a name
1034 having an initial or a middle name shown on the petition that does not match a different initial
1035 or middle name shown on the official register.
1036 (2) The county clerk shall use the following procedures in determining whether or not a
1037 signer is a registered voter:
1038 (a) When a signer's name and address shown on the petition exactly match a name and
1039 address shown on the official register and the signer's signature appears substantially similar to
1040 the signature on the statewide voter registration database, the county clerk shall declare the
1041 signature valid.
1042 (b) When there is no exact match of an address and a name, the county clerk shall
1043 declare the signature valid if:
1044 (i) the address on the petition matches the address of [
1045 official register with a substantially similar name; and
1046 (ii) the signer's signature appears substantially similar to the signature on the statewide
1047 voter registration database of the [
1048 (c) When there is no match of an address and a substantially similar name, the county
1049 clerk shall declare the signature valid if:
1050 (i) the birth date or age on the petition matches the birth date or age of [
1051 individual on the official register with a substantially similar name; and
1052 (ii) the signer's signature appears substantially similar to the signature on the statewide
1053 voter registration database of the [
1054 (d) If a signature is not declared valid under Subsection (2)(a), (2)(b), or (2)(c), the
1055 county clerk shall declare the signature to be invalid.
1056 Section 17. Section 20A-7-507 is amended to read:
1057 20A-7-507. Evaluation by the local clerk.
1058 (1) When each initiative packet is received from a county clerk, the local clerk shall
1059 check off from the local clerk's record the number of each initiative packet filed.
1060 (2) (a) After all of the initiative packets have been received by the local clerk, the local
1061 clerk shall count the number of the names certified by the county clerk that appear on each
1062 verified signature sheet.
1063 (b) If the total number of certified names from each verified signature sheet equals or
1064 exceeds the number of names required by Section 20A-7-501 and the requirements of this part
1065 are met, the local clerk shall mark upon the front of the petition the word "sufficient."
1066 (c) If the total number of certified names from each verified signature sheet does not
1067 equal or exceed the number of names required by Section 20A-7-501 or a requirement of this
1068 part is not met, the local clerk shall mark upon the front of the petition the word "insufficient."
1069 (d) The local clerk shall immediately notify any one of the sponsors of the local clerk's
1070 finding.
1071 (3) If the local clerk finds the total number of certified signatures from each verified
1072 signature sheet to be insufficient, any sponsor may file a written demand with the local clerk
1073 for a recount of the signatures appearing on the initiative petition in the presence of any
1074 sponsor.
1075 (4) Once a petition is declared insufficient, the sponsors may not submit additional
1076 signatures to qualify the petition for the ballot.
1077 [
1078
1079
1080 [
1081
1082
1083 [
1084
1085
1086 [
1087 qualified for the ballot.
1088 Section 18. Section 20A-7-508 is amended to read:
1089 20A-7-508. Ballot title -- Duties of local clerk and local attorney.
1090 (1) [
1091
1092 petition and the proposed law to the local attorney.
1093 (2) The local attorney shall:
1094 (a) entitle each county or municipal initiative that has qualified for the ballot
1095 "Proposition Number __" and give it a number as assigned under Section 20A-6-107;
1096 (b) prepare a proposed ballot title for the initiative;
1097 (c) file the proposed ballot title and the numbered initiative titles with the local clerk
1098 within [
1099
1100 clerk; and
1101 (d) promptly provide notice of the filing of the proposed ballot title to:
1102 (i) the sponsors of the petition; and
1103 (ii) the local legislative body for the jurisdiction where the initiative petition was
1104 circulated.
1105 (3) (a) The ballot title may be distinct from the title of the proposed law attached to the
1106 initiative petition, and shall express, in not exceeding 100 words, the purpose of the measure.
1107 (b) In preparing a ballot title, the local attorney shall, to the best of the local attorney's
1108 ability, give a true and impartial statement of the purpose of the measure.
1109 (c) The ballot title may not intentionally be an argument, or likely to create prejudice,
1110 for or against the measure.
1111 (d) If the initiative proposes a tax increase, the local attorney shall include the
1112 following statement, in bold, in the ballot title:
1113 "This initiative seeks to increase the current (insert name of tax) rate by (insert the tax
1114 percentage difference) percent, resulting in a(n) (insert the tax percentage increase) percent
1115 increase in the current tax rate."
1116 (4) (a) Within five calendar days after the date the local attorney files a proposed ballot
1117 title under Subsection (2)(c), the local legislative body for the jurisdiction where the initiative
1118 petition was circulated and the sponsors of the petition may file written comments in response
1119 to the proposed ballot title with the local clerk.
1120 (b) Within five calendar days after the last date to submit written comments under
1121 Subsection (4)(a), the local attorney shall:
1122 (i) review any written comments filed in accordance with Subsection (4)(a);
1123 (ii) prepare a final ballot title that meets the requirements of Subsection (3); and
1124 (iii) return the petition and file the ballot title with the local clerk.
1125 (c) Subject to Subsection (6), the ballot title, as determined by the local attorney, shall
1126 be printed on the official ballot.
1127 (5) Immediately after the local attorney files a copy of the ballot title with the local
1128 clerk, the local clerk shall serve a copy of the ballot title by mail upon the sponsors of the
1129 petition and the local legislative body for the jurisdiction where the initiative petition was
1130 circulated.
1131 (6) (a) If the ballot title furnished by the local attorney is unsatisfactory or does not
1132 comply with the requirements of this section, the decision of the local attorney may be
1133 appealed [
1134 to the Supreme Court [
1135 (i) at least three sponsors of the initiative petition; or
1136 (ii) a majority of the local legislative body for the jurisdiction where the initiative
1137 petition was circulated.
1138 (b) The [
1139 (i) shall examine the measures and consider arguments[
1140 (ii) may certify to the local clerk a ballot title for the measure that fulfills the intent of
1141 this section.
1142 (c) The local clerk shall print the title certified by the [
1143 official ballot.
1144 Section 19. Section 20A-7-509 is amended to read:
1145 20A-7-509. Form of ballot -- Manner of voting.
1146 (1) The local clerk shall ensure that the number and ballot title are presented upon the
1147 official ballot with, immediately adjacent to them, the words "For" and "Against," each word
1148 presented with an adjacent square in which the [
1149 vote.
1150 (2) [
1151 initiative petition shall mark the square adjacent to the word "For," and [
1152 to vote against enacting the law proposed by the initiative petition shall mark the square
1153 adjacent to the word "Against."
1154 Section 20. Section 20A-7-510 is amended to read:
1155 20A-7-510. Return and canvass -- Conflicting measures -- Law effective on
1156 proclamation.
1157 (1) The votes on the law proposed by the initiative petition shall be counted,
1158 canvassed, and delivered as provided in Title 20A, Chapter 4, Part 3, Canvassing Returns.
1159 (2) After the local board of canvassers completes its canvass, the local clerk shall
1160 certify to the local legislative body the vote for and against the law proposed by the initiative
1161 petition.
1162 (3) (a) The local legislative body shall immediately issue a proclamation that:
1163 (i) gives the total number of votes cast in the local jurisdiction for and against each law
1164 proposed by an initiative petition; and
1165 (ii) declares those laws proposed by an initiative petition that were approved by
1166 majority vote to be in full force and effect as the law of the local jurisdiction.
1167 (b) When the local legislative body determines that two proposed laws, or that parts of
1168 two proposed laws approved by the people at the same election are entirely in conflict, they
1169 shall proclaim that measure to be law that has received the greatest number of affirmative
1170 votes, regardless of the difference in the majorities which those measures have received.
1171 (c) (i) Within 10 days after the local legislative body's proclamation, any qualified
1172 voter who signed the initiative petition proposing the law that is declared by the local
1173 legislative body to be superseded by another measure approved at the same election may [
1174
1175 Supreme Court to review the decision.
1176 (ii) The court shall:
1177 (A) consider the matter and decide whether [
1178 conflict; and
1179 (B) [
1180 legislative body.
1181 (4) Within 10 days after the [
1182 certifies the decision, the local legislative body shall:
1183 (a) proclaim as law all [
1184 [
1185 (b) [
1186
1187 that received the greatest number of affirmative votes, regardless of the difference in
1188 majorities.
1189 Section 21. Section 20A-7-512 is amended to read:
1190 20A-7-512. Misconduct of electors and officers -- Penalty.
1191 (1) It is unlawful for any [
1192 (a) sign any name other than the [
1193 petition;
1194 [
1195
1196 [
1197 [
1198 (2) It is unlawful for any [
1199 packet knowing that:
1200 (a) the [
1201 20A-2-105;
1202 (b) the [
1203 individuals whose names appear in the initiative packet; or
1204 (c) one or more [
1205 either:
1206 (i) not registered to vote in Utah; or
1207 (ii) does not intend to become registered to vote in Utah.
1208 (3) [
1209 misdemeanor.
1210 Section 22. Section 20A-7-513 is amended to read:
1211 20A-7-513. Fiscal review -- Repeal, amendment, or resubmission.
1212 (1) No later than 60 days after the date of an election in which the voters approve an
1213 initiative petition, the budget officer shall:
1214 (a) for each initiative approved by the voters, prepare a final fiscal impact statement,
1215 using current financial information and containing the information required by Subsection
1216 20A-7-502.5(2), except for the information required by Subsection 20A-7-502.5(2)(a)(vii); and
1217 (b) deliver a copy of the final fiscal impact statement to:
1218 (i) the local legislative body of the jurisdiction where the initiative was circulated;
1219 (ii) the local clerk; and
1220 (iii) the first [
1221 (2) If the final fiscal impact statement exceeds the initial fiscal impact estimate by 25%
1222 or more, the local legislative body shall review the final fiscal impact statement and may, by a
1223 majority vote:
1224 (a) repeal the law established by passage of the initiative;
1225 (b) amend the law established by the passage of the initiative; or
1226 (c) pass a resolution informing the voters that they may file an initiative petition to
1227 repeal the law enacted by the passage of the initiative.
1228 Section 23. Section 20A-7-601 is amended to read:
1229 20A-7-601. Referenda -- General signature requirements -- Signature
1230 requirements for land use laws and subjurisdictional laws -- Time requirements.
1231 [
1232
1233
1234 [
1235
1236
1237 [
1238
1239
1240 [
1241
1242
1243 [
1244
1245
1246 [
1247
1248
1249 [
1250
1251
1252 [
1253
1254 [
1255
1256
1257 [
1258
1259
1260 [
1261
1262
1263 [
1264 [
1265
1266 [
1267
1268
1269 [
1270
1271
1272 [
1273
1274
1275 [
1276
1277
1278 [
1279
1280
1281 [
1282
1283
1284 [
1285
1286
1287 [
1288
1289
1290 (1) As used in this section:
1291 (a) "Number of active voters" means the number of active voters in the county, city, or
1292 town on the immediately preceding January 1.
1293 (b) "Subjurisdiction" means an area comprised of all precincts and subprecincts in the
1294 jurisdiction of a county, city, or town that are subject to a subjurisdictional law.
1295 (c) (i) "Subjurisdictional law" means a local law or local obligation law passed by a
1296 local legislative body that imposes a tax or other payment obligation on property in an area that
1297 does not include all precincts and subprecincts under the jurisdiction of the county, city, town,
1298 or metro township.
1299 (ii) "Subjurisdictional law" does not include a land use law.
1300 (d) "Voter participation area" means an area described in Subsection 20A-7-401.3(1)(a)
1301 or (2)(b).
1302 (2) Except as provided in Subsection (3) or (4), an eligible voter seeking to have a local
1303 law passed by the local legislative body submitted to a vote of the people shall obtain legal
1304 signatures equal to:
1305 (a) for a county of the first class:
1306 (i) 7.75% of the number of active voters in the county; and
1307 (ii) beginning on January 1, 2020, 7.75% of the number of active voters in at least 75%
1308 of the county's voter participation areas;
1309 (b) for a metro township with a population of 100,000 or more, or a city of the first
1310 class:
1311 (i) 7.5% of the number of active voters in the metro township or city; and
1312 (ii) beginning on January 1, 2020, 7.5% of the number of active voters in at least 75%
1313 of the metro township's or city's voter participation areas;
1314 (c) for a county of the second class:
1315 (i) 8% of the number of active voters in the county; and
1316 (ii) beginning on January 1, 2020, 8% of the number of active voters in at least 75% of
1317 the county's voter participation areas;
1318 (d) for a metro township with a population of 65,000 or more but less than 100,000, or
1319 a city of the second class:
1320 (i) 8.25% of the number of active voters in the metro township or city; and
1321 (ii) beginning on January 1, 2020, 8.25% of the number of active voters in at least 75%
1322 of the metro township's or city's voter participation areas;
1323 (e) for a county of the third class:
1324 (i) 9.5% of the number of active voters in the county; and
1325 (ii) beginning on January 1, 2020, 9.5% of the number of active voters in at least 75%
1326 of the county's voter participation areas;
1327 (f) for a metro township with a population of 30,000 or more but less than 65,000, or a
1328 city of the third class:
1329 (i) 10% of the number of active voters in the metro township or city; and
1330 (ii) beginning on January 1, 2020, 10% of the number of active voters in at least 75%
1331 of the metro township's or city's voter participation areas;
1332 (g) for a county of the fourth class:
1333 (i) 11.5% of the number of active voters in the county; and
1334 (ii) beginning on January 1, 2020, 11.5% of the number of active voters in at least 75%
1335 of the county's voter participation areas;
1336 (h) for a metro township with a population of 10,000 or more but less than 30,000, or a
1337 city of the fourth class:
1338 (i) 11.5% of the number of active voters in the metro township or city; and
1339 (ii) beginning on January 1, 2020, 11.5% of the number of active voters in at least 75%
1340 of the metro township's or city's voter participation areas;
1341 (i) for a metro township with a population of 1,000 or more but less than 10,000, a city
1342 of the fifth class, or a county of the fifth class, 25% of the number of active voters in the metro
1343 township, city, or county; or
1344 (j) for a metro township with a population of less than 1,000, a town, or a county of the
1345 sixth class, 35% of the number of active voters in the metro township, town, or county.
1346 (3) Except as provided in Subsection (4), an eligible voter seeking to have a land use
1347 law or local obligation law passed by the local legislative body submitted to a vote of the
1348 people shall obtain legal signatures equal to:
1349 (a) for a county of the first, second, third, or fourth class:
1350 (i) 16% of the number of active voters in the county; and
1351 (ii) beginning on January 1, 2020, 16% of the number of active voters in at least 75%
1352 of the county's voter participation areas;
1353 (b) for a county of the fifth or sixth class:
1354 (i) 16% of the number of active voters in the county; and
1355 (ii) beginning on January 1, 2020, 16% of the number of active voters in at least 75%
1356 of the county's voter participation areas;
1357 (c) for a metro township with a population of 100,000 or more, or a city of the first
1358 class:
1359 (i) 15% of the number of active voters in the metro township or city; and
1360 (ii) beginning on January 1, 2020, 15% of the number of active voters in at least 75%
1361 of the metro township's or city's voter participation areas;
1362 (d) for a metro township with a population of 65,000 or more but less than 100,000, or
1363 a city of the second class:
1364 (i) 16% of the number of active voters in the metro township or city; and
1365 (ii) beginning on January 1, 2020, 16% of the number of active voters in at least 75%
1366 of the metro township's or city's voter participation areas;
1367 (e) for a metro township with a population of 30,000 or more but less than 65,000, or a
1368 city of the third class:
1369 (i) 27.5% of the number of active voters in the metro township or city; and
1370 (ii) beginning on January 1, 2020, 27.5% of the number of active voters in at least 75%
1371 of the metro township's or city's voter participation areas;
1372 (f) for a metro township with a population of 10,000 or more but less than 30,000, or a
1373 city of the fourth class:
1374 (i) 29% of the number of active voters in the metro township or city; and
1375 (ii) beginning on January 1, 2020, 29% of the number of active voters in at least 75%
1376 of the metro township's or city's voter participation areas;
1377 (g) for a metro township with a population of 1,000 or more but less than 10,000, or a
1378 city of the fifth class, 35% of the number of active voters in the metro township or city; or
1379 (h) for a metro township with a population of less than 1,000 or a town, 40% of the
1380 number of active voters in the metro township or town.
1381 (4) A person seeking to have a subjurisdictional law passed by the local legislative
1382 body submitted to a vote of the people shall obtain legal signatures of the residents in the
1383 subjurisdiction equal to:
1384 (a) 10% of the number of active voters in the subjurisdiction if the number of active
1385 voters exceeds 25,000;
1386 (b) 12-1/2% of the number of active voters in the subjurisdiction if the number of
1387 active voters does not exceed 25,000 but is more than 10,000;
1388 (c) 15% of the number of active voters in the subjurisdiction if the number of active
1389 voters does not exceed 10,000 but is more than 2,500;
1390 (d) 20% of the number of active voters in the subjurisdiction if the number of active
1391 voters does not exceed 2,500 but is more than 500;
1392 (e) 25% of the number of active voters in the subjurisdiction if the number of active
1393 voters does not exceed 500 but is more than 250; and
1394 (f) 30% of the number of active voters in the subjurisdiction if the number of active
1395 voters does not exceed 250.
1396 [
1397
1398 application within [
1399 passed.
1400 (b) Except as provided in Subsection [
1401 declared sufficient, the local law that is the subject of the petition does not take effect unless
1402 and until the local law is approved by a vote of the people.
1403 (c) When a referendum petition challenging a subjurisdictional law has been declared
1404 sufficient, the subjurisdictional law that is the subject of the petition does not take effect unless
1405 and until the subjurisdictional law is approved by a vote of the people who reside in the
1406 subjurisdiction.
1407 [
1408 is repealed as of the date of the election.
1409 [
1410 other payment obligation on a subjurisdiction in order to benefit an area outside of the
1411 subjurisdiction.
1412 Section 24. Section 20A-7-602 is amended to read:
1413 20A-7-602. Local referendum process -- Application procedures.
1414 (1) [
1415 application with the local clerk.
1416 (2) The application shall contain:
1417 (a) the name and residence address of at least five sponsors of the referendum petition;
1418 (b) a certification indicating that each of the sponsors[
1419 [
1420
1421 [
1422
1423 (c) a statement indicating that each of the sponsors has voted in an election in Utah in
1424 the last three years;
1425 [
1426 public; and
1427 [
1428 law; or
1429 (ii) if the referendum challenges a local law that is not an ordinance or resolution, a
1430 written description of the local law, including the result of the vote on the local law.
1431 Section 25. Section 20A-7-602.5 is amended to read:
1432 20A-7-602.5. Initial fiscal and legal impact estimate -- Preparation of estimate.
1433 (1) Within three [
1434 an application for a referendum petition, the local clerk shall submit a copy of the application
1435 to the county, city, or town's budget officer.
1436 (2) (a) The budget officer, together with legal counsel, shall prepare an unbiased, good
1437 faith estimate of the fiscal and legal impact of repealing the law the referendum proposes to
1438 repeal that contains:
1439 (i) a dollar amount representing the total estimated fiscal impact of repealing the law;
1440 (ii) if repealing the law would increase or decrease taxes, a dollar amount representing
1441 the total estimated increase or decrease for each type of tax that would be impacted by the law's
1442 repeal and a dollar amount representing the total estimated increase or decrease in taxes that
1443 would result from the law's repeal;
1444 (iii) if repealing the law would result in the issuance or a change in the status of bonds,
1445 notes, or other debt instruments, a dollar amount representing the total estimated increase or
1446 decrease in public debt that would result;
1447 (iv) a listing of all sources of funding for the estimated costs that would be associated
1448 with the law's repeal, showing each source of funding and the percentage of total funding that
1449 would be provided from each source;
1450 (v) a dollar amount representing the estimated costs or savings, if any, to state and
1451 local government entities if the law were repealed;
1452 (vi) the legal impacts that would result from repealing the law, including:
1453 (A) any significant effects on a person's vested property rights;
1454 (B) any significant effects on other laws or ordinances;
1455 (C) any significant legal liability the city, county, or town may incur; and
1456 (D) any other significant legal impact as determined by the budget officer and the legal
1457 counsel; and
1458 (vii) a concise explanation, not exceeding 100 words, of the above information and of
1459 the estimated fiscal impact, if any, if the law were repealed.
1460 (b) (i) If repealing the law would have no fiscal impact, the local budget officer shall
1461 include a summary statement in the initial fiscal impact statement in substantially the following
1462 form:
1463 "The (title of the local budget officer) estimates that repealing the law this referendum
1464 proposes to repeal would have no significant fiscal impact and would not result in either an
1465 increase or decrease in taxes or debt."
1466 (ii) If repealing the law is estimated to have a fiscal impact, the local budget officer
1467 shall include a summary statement describing the fiscal impact.
1468 (iii) If the estimated fiscal impact of repealing the law is highly variable or is otherwise
1469 difficult to reasonably express in a summary statement, the local budget officer may include in
1470 the summary statement a brief explanation that identifies those factors impacting the variability
1471 or difficulty of the estimate.
1472 (3) Within [
1473 of the application under Subsection (1), the budget officer shall:
1474 (a) deliver a copy of the initial fiscal impact estimate, including the legal impact
1475 estimate, to the local clerk's office; and
1476 (b) [
1477 estimate, to the first [
1478 Section 26. Section 20A-7-602.7 is enacted to read:
1479 20A-7-602.7. Referability to voters of local law other than land use law.
1480 (1) Within 20 days after the day on which an eligible voter files an application to
1481 circulate a referendum petition under Section 20A-7-602 for a local law other than a land use
1482 law, the county, city, town, or metro township to which the referendum pertains shall:
1483 (a) review the application to determine whether the proposed referendum is legally
1484 referable to voters; and
1485 (b) notify the first three sponsors, in writing, whether the proposed referendum is:
1486 (i) legally referable to voters; or
1487 (ii) rejected as not legally referable to voters.
1488 (2) For a local law other than a land use law, a proposed referendum is legally referable
1489 to voters unless:
1490 (a) the proposed referendum challenges an action that is administrative, rather than
1491 legislative, in nature;
1492 (b) the proposed referendum challenges more than one law passed by the local
1493 legislative body; or
1494 (c) the application for the proposed referendum was not timely filed or does not
1495 comply with the requirements of this part.
1496 (3) After the end of the 20-day period described in Subsection (1), a county, city, town,
1497 or metro township may not, for a local law other than a land use law:
1498 (a) reject a proposed referendum as not legally referable to voters; or
1499 (b) except as provided in Subsection (4), challenge, in a legal action or otherwise, a
1500 proposed referendum on the grounds that the proposed referendum is not legally referable to
1501 voters.
1502 (4) (a) If, under Subsection (1)(b)(ii), a county, city, town, or metro township rejects a
1503 proposed referendum concerning a local law other than a land use law, a sponsor of the
1504 proposed referendum may, within 10 days after the day on which a sponsor is notified under
1505 Subsection (1)(b), challenge or appeal the decision to:
1506 (i) the Supreme Court, by means of an extraordinary writ, if possible; or
1507 (ii) a district court, if the sponsor is prohibited from pursuing an extraordinary writ
1508 under Subsection (4)(a)(i).
1509 (b) Failure of a sponsor to timely challenge or appeal a rejection under Subsection
1510 (4)(a) terminates the referendum.
1511 (5) If, on a challenge or appeal, the court determines that the proposed referendum
1512 described in Subsection (4) is legally referable to voters, the local clerk shall comply with
1513 Subsection 20A-7-604(2) within five days after the day on which the determination, and any
1514 challenge or appeal of the determination, is final.
1515 Section 27. Section 20A-7-602.8 is enacted to read:
1516 20A-7-602.8. Referability to voters of local land use law.
1517 (1) Within 20 days after the day on which an eligible voter files an application to
1518 circulate a referendum petition under Section 20A-7-602 for a land use law, the county,
1519 city, town, or metro township to which the referendum pertains shall:
1520 (a) review the application to determine whether the proposed referendum is legally
1521 referable to voters; and
1522 (b) notify the first three sponsors, in writing, whether the proposed referendum is:
1523 (i) legally referable to voters; or
1524 (ii) rejected as not legally referable to voters.
1525 (2) For a land use law, a proposed referendum is legally referable to voters unless:
1526 (a) the proposed referendum challenges an action that is administrative, rather than
1527 legislative, in nature;
1528 (b) the proposed referendum challenges a land use decision, rather than a land use
1529 regulation, as those terms are defined in Section 10-9a-103 or 17-27a-103;
1530 (c) the proposed referendum challenges more than one law passed by the local
1531 legislative body; or
1532 (d) the application for the proposed referendum was not timely filed or does not
1533 comply with the requirements of this part.
1534 (3) After the end of the 20-day period described in Subsection (1), a county, city, town,
1535 or metro township may not, for a land use law:
1536 (a) reject a proposed referendum as not legally referable to voters; or
1537 (b) except as provided in Subsection (4), challenge, in a legal action or otherwise, a
1538 proposed referendum on the grounds that the proposed referendum is not legally referable to
1539 voters.
1540 (4) (a) If a county, city, town, or metro township rejects a proposed referendum
1541 concerning a land use law, a sponsor of the proposed referendum may, within seven days after
1542 the day on which a sponsor is notified under Subsection (1)(b), challenge or appeal the decision
1543 to:
1544 (i) the Supreme Court, by means of an extraordinary writ, if possible; or
1545 (ii) a district court, if the sponsor is prohibited from pursuing an extraordinary writ
1546 under Subsection (4)(a)(i).
1547 (b) Failure of a sponsor to timely challenge or appeal a rejection under Subsection
1548 (4)(a) terminates the referendum.
1549 (5) If, on challenge or appeal, the court determines that the proposed referendum is
1550 legally referable to voters, the local clerk shall comply with Subsection 20A-7-604(2) within
1551 five days after the day on which the determination, and any challenge or appeal of the
1552 determination, is final.
1553 Section 28. Section 20A-7-603 is amended to read:
1554 20A-7-603. Form of referendum petition and signature sheets.
1555 (1) (a) Each proposed referendum petition shall be printed in substantially the
1556 following form:
1557 "REFERENDUM PETITION To the Honorable ____, County Clerk/City
1558 Recorder/Town Clerk:
1559 We, the undersigned citizens of Utah, respectfully order that (description of local law or
1560 portion of local law being challenged), passed by the ____ be referred to the voters for their
1561 approval or rejection at the regular/municipal general election to be held on
1562 __________(month\day\year);
1563 Each signer says:
1564 I have personally signed this petition;
1565 The date next to my signature correctly reflects the date that I actually signed the
1566 petition;
1567 I have personally reviewed the entire statement included with this packet;
1568 I am registered to vote in Utah or intend to become registered to vote in Utah before the
1569 certification of the petition names by the county clerk; and
1570 My residence and post office address are written correctly after my name."
1571 (b) The sponsors of a referendum shall attach a copy of the law that is the subject of the
1572 referendum to each referendum petition.
1573 (2) Each signature sheet shall:
1574 (a) be printed on sheets of paper 8-1/2 inches long and 11 inches wide;
1575 (b) be ruled with a horizontal line three-fourths inch from the top, with the space above
1576 that line blank for the purpose of binding;
1577 (c) contain the title of the referendum printed below the horizontal line;
1578 (d) contain the word "Warning" printed or typed at the top of each signature sheet
1579 under the title of the referendum;
1580 (e) contain, to the right of the word "Warning," the following statement printed or
1581 typed in not less than eight-point, single-leaded type:
1582 "It is a class A misdemeanor for an individual to sign a referendum petition with any
1583 other name than the individual's own name, or to knowingly sign the individual's name more
1584 than once for the same measure, or to sign a referendum petition when the individual knows
1585 that the individual is not a registered voter and knows that the individual does not intend to
1586 become registered to vote before the certification of the petition names by the county clerk.";
1587 (f) contain horizontally ruled lines three-eighths inch apart under the "Warning"
1588 statement required by this section;
1589 (g) be vertically divided into columns as follows:
1590 (i) the edge of the first column shall appear [
1591 sheet, be [
1592 Office Use Only[
1593 (ii) the second column shall be .25 inch wide;
1594 [
1595 Voter's Printed Name (must be legible to be counted)";
1596 [
1597 of Registered Voter";
1598 (v) the fifth column shall be .75 inch wide, headed "Date Signed";
1599 [
1600
1601 [
1602 [
1603 (h) be horizontally divided into rows as follows:
1604 (i) the top of the first row, for the purpose of entering the information described in
1605 Subsection (2)(g), shall be .5 inch high;
1606 [
1607
1608 (ii) the second row shall be .15 inch high and contain the following statement printed
1609 or typed in not less than eight-point, single-leaded type: "By signing this petition, you are
1610 stating that you have read and understand the law this petition seeks to overturn."; and
1611 (iii) the first and second rows shall be repeated, in order, leaving sufficient room at the
1612 bottom of the sheet for the information described in Subsection (2)(i); and
1613 (i) at the bottom of the sheet, contain the following statement: "Birth date or age
1614 information is not required, but it may be used to verify your identity with voter registration
1615 records. If you choose not to provide it, your signature may not be verified as a valid signature
1616 if you change your address before petition signatures are verified or if the information you
1617 provide does not match your voter registration records."
1618 (3) The final page of each referendum packet shall contain the following printed or
1619 typed statement:
1620 "Verification
1621 State of Utah, County of ____
1622 I, _______________, of ____, hereby state that:
1623 I am a resident of Utah and am at least 18 years old;
1624 All the names that appear in this referendum packet were signed by [
1625 individuals who professed to be the [
1626 of [
1627 I did not knowingly make a misrepresentation of fact concerning the law this petition
1628 seeks to overturn;
1629 I believe that each individual has printed and signed [
1630 written [
1631 registered to vote in Utah or intends to become registered to vote before the certification of the
1632 petition names by the county clerk.
1633 _____________________________"
1634 (4) The forms prescribed in this section are not mandatory, and, if substantially
1635 followed, the referendum petitions are sufficient, notwithstanding clerical and merely technical
1636 errors.
1637 Section 29. Section 20A-7-604 is amended to read:
1638 20A-7-604. Circulation requirements -- Local clerk to provide sponsors with
1639 materials.
1640 (1) In order to obtain the necessary number of signatures required by this part, the
1641 sponsors shall, after the sponsors receive the documents described in Subsection (2) and
1642 Subsection 20A-7-401.5(4)(b), circulate referendum packets that meet the form requirements
1643 of this part.
1644 (2) Within five days after the day on which a [
1645
1646 court determines, in accordance with Section 20A-7-602.7, that a proposed referendum is
1647 legally referable to voters, the local clerk shall furnish to the sponsors[
1648 of the referendum petition[
1649 [
1650 (3) The sponsors of the petition shall:
1651 (a) arrange and pay for the printing of all additional copies of the petition and signature
1652 sheets; and
1653 (b) ensure that the copies of the petition and signature sheets meet the form
1654 requirements of this section.
1655 (4) (a) The sponsors may prepare the referendum for circulation by creating multiple
1656 referendum packets.
1657 (b) The sponsors shall create those packets by binding a copy of the referendum
1658 petition, a copy of the law that is the subject of the referendum, and no more than 50 signature
1659 sheets together at the top in such a way that the packets may be conveniently opened for
1660 signing.
1661 (c) The sponsors need not attach a uniform number of signature sheets to each
1662 referendum packet.
1663 [
1664
1665 [
1666 [
1667
1668 [
1669 (d) The sponsors shall include, with each packet, a copy of the proposition information
1670 pamphlet provided to the sponsors under Subsection 20A-7-401.5(4)(b).
1671 Section 30. Section 20A-7-605 is amended to read:
1672 20A-7-605. Obtaining signatures -- Verification -- Removal of signature.
1673 (1) Any Utah voter may sign a local referendum petition if the voter is a legal voter and
1674 resides in the local jurisdiction.
1675 (2) (a) The sponsors shall ensure that the [
1676 signature sheet was signed:
1677 (i) is at least 18 years old and meets the residency requirements of Section 20A-2-105;
1678 and
1679 (ii) verifies each signature sheet by completing the verification printed on the last page
1680 of each referendum packet.
1681 (b) [
1682 the referendum packet if the [
1683 packet.
1684 (3) (a) Any voter who has signed a referendum petition may have the voter's signature
1685 removed from the petition by submitting a [
1686 county clerk.
1687 (b) Except as provided in Subsection (3)(c), upon receipt of the statement, the [
1688 county clerk shall remove the signature of the [
1689 from the referendum petition.
1690 (c) A [
1691 than seven days after the [
1692 which the sponsors timely submit the last signature packet to the county clerk.
1693 (4) The sponsors of a referendum petition:
1694 (a) shall, for each signature packet:
1695 (i) within seven days after the day on which the first individual signs the signature
1696 packet, provide a clear, legible image of all signatures on the signature packet to the county
1697 clerk via email or other electronic means; and
1698 (ii) immediately send a new image if the county clerk informs the sponsors that the
1699 image is not clear and legible;
1700 (b) may not permit additional signatures on a signature packet of which the sponsors
1701 have sent an image under Subsection (4)(a); and
1702 (c) may not submit a signature packet to the county clerk unless the sponsors timely
1703 comply with the requirements of Subsection (4)(a) in relation to the signature packet.
1704 (5) Each person who gathers a signature removal statement described in Subsection
1705 (3):
1706 (a) shall, within seven days after the day on which the individual signs the signature
1707 removal statement, provide a clear, legible image of the statement to the county clerk via email
1708 or other electronic means; and
1709 (b) shall, immediately send a new image if the local clerk informs the sender that the
1710 image is not clear and legible; and
1711 (c) may not submit a signature removal statement to the county clerk, unless the sender
1712 timely complies with the requirements of Subsections (5)(a) and (b) in relation to the signature
1713 removal statement.
1714 (6) (a) The county clerk shall provide to an individual, upon request:
1715 (i) an image of a signature packet or signature removal statement with the dates of birth
1716 redacted; or
1717 (ii) instead of providing an image described in Subsection (6)(a)(i), a document or
1718 electronic list containing the name and other information, other than the dates of birth, that
1719 appear on an image described in this Subsection (6)(a).
1720 (b) Subject to Subsection 20A-7-606.3(4), the local clerk may begin certifying,
1721 removing, and tallying signatures upon receipt of an image described in Subsection (4) or (5).
1722 Section 31. Section 20A-7-606.3 is amended to read:
1723 20A-7-606.3. Verification of petition signatures.
1724 (1) (a) For the purposes of this section, "substantially similar name" means:
1725 (i) the given name and surname shown on the petition, or both, contain only minor
1726 spelling differences when compared to the given name and surname shown on the official
1727 register;
1728 (ii) the surname shown on the petition exactly matches the surname shown on the
1729 official register, and the given names differ only because one of the given names shown is a
1730 commonly used abbreviation or variation of the other;
1731 (iii) the surname shown on the petition exactly matches the surname shown on the
1732 official register, and the given names differ only because one of the given names shown is
1733 accompanied by a first or middle initial or a middle name which is not shown on the other
1734 record; or
1735 (iv) the surname shown on the petition exactly matches the surname shown on the
1736 official register, and the given names differ only because one of the given names shown is an
1737 alphabetically corresponding initial that has been provided in the place of a given name shown
1738 on the other record.
1739 (b) For the purposes of this section, "substantially similar name" does not mean a name
1740 having an initial or a middle name shown on the petition that does not match a different initial
1741 or middle name shown on the official register.
1742 (2) The county clerk shall use the following procedures in determining whether or not a
1743 signer is a registered voter:
1744 (a) When a signer's name and address shown on the petition exactly match a name and
1745 address shown on the official register and the signer's signature appears substantially similar to
1746 the signature on the statewide voter registration database, the county clerk shall declare the
1747 signature valid.
1748 (b) When there is no exact match of an address and a name, the county clerk shall
1749 declare the signature valid if:
1750 (i) the address on the petition matches the address of [
1751 official register with a substantially similar name; and
1752 (ii) the signer's signature appears substantially similar to the signature on the statewide
1753 voter registration database of the [
1754 (c) When there is no match of an address and a substantially similar name, the county
1755 clerk shall declare the signature valid if:
1756 (i) the birth date or age on the petition matches the birth date or age of [
1757 individual on the official register with a substantially similar name; and
1758 (ii) the signer's signature appears substantially similar to the signature on the statewide
1759 voter registration database of the [
1760 (d) If a signature is not declared valid under Subsection (2)(a), (b), or (c), the county
1761 clerk shall declare the signature to be invalid.
1762 (4) The county clerk may not provide a final verification of the signature packets
1763 submitted for a proposed referendum until eight days after the day on which a sponsor submits
1764 the final, timely signature packet to the county clerk to be certified.
1765 Section 32. Section 20A-7-607 is amended to read:
1766 20A-7-607. Evaluation by the local clerk -- Determination of election for vote on
1767 referendum.
1768 (1) When each referendum packet is received from a county clerk, the local clerk shall
1769 check off from the local clerk's record the number of each referendum packet filed.
1770 (2) Within [
1771 referendum packet from a county clerk, the local clerk shall:
1772 (a) count the number of the names certified by the county clerks that appear on each
1773 verified signature sheet;
1774 (b) if the total number of certified names from each verified signature sheet equals or
1775 exceeds the number of names required by Section 20A-7-601 and the requirements of this part
1776 are met, mark upon the front of the petition the word "sufficient";
1777 (c) if the total number of certified names from each verified signature sheet does not
1778 equal or exceed the number of names required by Section 20A-7-601 or a requirement of this
1779 part is not met, mark upon the front of the petition the word "insufficient"; and
1780 (d) notify any one of the sponsors of the local clerk's finding.
1781 (3) If the local clerk finds the total number of certified signatures from each verified
1782 signature sheet to be insufficient, any sponsor may file a written demand with the local clerk
1783 for a recount of the signatures appearing on the referendum petition in the presence of any
1784 sponsor.
1785 (4) (a) If the local clerk refuses to accept and file any referendum petition, any voter
1786 may apply to [
1787 do so within 10 days after the refusal.
1788 (b) If [
1789 sufficient, the local clerk shall file it, with a verified copy of the judgment attached to it, as of
1790 the date on which it was originally offered for filing in the local clerk's office.
1791 (c) If [
1792 sufficient, the [
1793 (i) certifying or printing the ballot title and numbers of that measure on the official
1794 ballot for the next election; or
1795 (ii) as it relates to a local tax law that is conducted entirely by absentee ballot,
1796 certifying, printing, or mailing the ballot title and numbers of that measure under Section
1797 20A-7-609.5.
1798 (5) A petition determined to be sufficient in accordance with this section is qualified
1799 for the ballot.
1800 (6) (a) If a referendum relates to legislative action taken after April 15, the election
1801 officer may not place the referendum on an election ballot until a primary election, a general
1802 election, or a special election the following year.
1803 (b) For a referendum on a land use law, if, before August 30, the local clerk or a court
1804 determines that the total number of certified names equals or exceeds the number of signatures
1805 required in Section 20A-7-601, the election officer shall place the referendum on the election
1806 ballot for the next general election.
1807 Section 33. Section 20A-7-608 is amended to read:
1808 20A-7-608. Ballot title -- Duties of local clerk and local attorney.
1809 (1) [
1810
1811 petition and the proposed law to the local attorney.
1812 (2) The local attorney shall:
1813 (a) entitle each county or municipal referendum that has qualified for the ballot
1814 "Proposition Number __" and give it a number as assigned under Section 20A-6-107;
1815 (b) prepare a proposed ballot title for the referendum;
1816 (c) file the proposed ballot title and the numbered referendum titles with the local clerk
1817 within [
1818
1819 local clerk; and
1820 (d) promptly provide notice of the filing of the proposed ballot title to:
1821 (i) the sponsors of the petition; and
1822 (ii) the local legislative body for the jurisdiction where the referendum petition was
1823 circulated.
1824 (3) (a) The ballot title may be distinct from the title of the law that is the subject of the
1825 petition, and shall express, in not exceeding 100 words, the purpose of the measure.
1826 (b) In preparing a ballot title, the local attorney shall, to the best of [
1827 attorney's ability, give a true and impartial statement of the purpose of the measure.
1828 (c) The ballot title may not intentionally be an argument, or likely to create prejudice,
1829 for or against the measure.
1830 (4) (a) Within five calendar days after the date the local attorney files a proposed ballot
1831 title under Subsection (2)(c), the local legislative body for the jurisdiction where the
1832 referendum petition was circulated and the sponsors of the petition may file written comments
1833 in response to the proposed ballot title with the local clerk.
1834 (b) Within five calendar days after the last date to submit written comments under
1835 Subsection (4)(a), the local attorney shall:
1836 (i) review any written comments filed in accordance with Subsection (4)(a);
1837 (ii) prepare a final ballot title that meets the requirements of Subsection (3); and
1838 (iii) return the petition and file the ballot title with the local clerk.
1839 (c) Subject to Subsection (6), the ballot title, as determined by the local attorney, shall
1840 be printed on the official ballot.
1841 (5) Immediately after the local attorney files a copy of the ballot title with the local
1842 clerk, the local clerk shall serve a copy of the ballot title by mail upon the sponsors of the
1843 petition and the local legislative body for the jurisdiction where the referendum petition was
1844 circulated.
1845 (6) (a) If the ballot title furnished by the local attorney is unsatisfactory or does not
1846 comply with the requirements of this section, the decision of the local attorney may be
1847 appealed [
1848 to the Supreme Court [
1849 (i) at least three sponsors of the referendum petition; or
1850 (ii) a majority of the local legislative body for the jurisdiction where the referendum
1851 petition was circulated.
1852 (b) The [
1853 (i) shall examine the measures and consider the arguments[
1854 (ii) may [
1855 measure that fulfills the intent of this section.
1856 (c) The local clerk shall print the title certified by the [
1857 official ballot.
1858 Section 34. Section 20A-7-609.5 is amended to read:
1859 20A-7-609.5. Election on referendum challenging local tax law conducted entirely
1860 by absentee ballot.
1861 (1) An election officer may administer an election on a referendum challenging a local
1862 tax law entirely by absentee ballot.
1863 (2) For purposes of an election conducted under this section, the election officer shall:
1864 (a) designate as the election day the day that is 30 days after the day on which the
1865 election officer complies with Subsection (2)(b); and
1866 (b) within 30 days after the day on which the referendum described in Subsection (1)
1867 qualifies for the ballot, mail to each registered voter within the voting precincts to which the
1868 local tax law applies:
1869 (i) an absentee ballot;
1870 (ii) a statement that there will be no polling place in the voting precinct for the
1871 election;
1872 (iii) a statement specifying the election day described in Subsection (2)(a);
1873 (iv) a business reply mail envelope;
1874 (v) instructions for returning the ballot that include an express notice about any
1875 relevant deadlines that the voter must meet in order for the voter's vote to be counted; [
1876 (vi) a warning, on a separate page of colored paper in boldface print, indicating that if
1877 the voter fails to follow the instructions included with the absentee ballot, the voter will be
1878 unable to vote in that election because there will be no polling place in the voting precinct on
1879 the day of the election[
1880 (vii) (A) a copy of the proposition information pamphlet relating to the referendum if a
1881 proposition information pamphlet relating to the referendum was published under Section
1882 20A-7-401.5; or
1883 (B) a website address where an individual may view a copy of the proposition
1884 information pamphlet described in Subsection (2)(b)(vii)(A).
1885 (3) A voter who votes by absentee ballot under this section is not required to apply for
1886 an absentee ballot as required by this part.
1887 (4) An election officer who administers an election under this section shall:
1888 (a) (i) obtain, in person, the signatures of each voter within that voting precinct before
1889 the election; or
1890 (ii) obtain the signature of each voter within the voting precinct from the county clerk;
1891 and
1892 (b) maintain the signatures on file in the election officer's office.
1893 (5) (a) Upon receiving the returned absentee ballots under this section, the election
1894 officer shall compare the signature on each absentee ballot with the voter's signature that is
1895 maintained on file and verify that the signatures are the same.
1896 (b) If the election officer questions the authenticity of the signature on the absentee
1897 ballot, the election officer shall immediately contact the voter to verify the signature.
1898 (c) If the election officer determines that the signature on the absentee ballot does not
1899 match the voter's signature that is maintained on file, the election officer shall:
1900 (i) unless the absentee ballot application deadline described in Section 20A-3-304 has
1901 passed, immediately send another absentee ballot and other voting materials as required by this
1902 section to the voter; and
1903 (ii) disqualify the initial absentee ballot.
1904 Section 35. Section 20A-7-610 is amended to read:
1905 20A-7-610. Return and canvass -- Conflicting measures -- Law effective on
1906 proclamation.
1907 (1) The votes on the [
1908 referendum petition shall be counted, canvassed, and delivered as provided in Title 20A,
1909 Chapter 4, Part 3, Canvassing Returns.
1910 (2) After the local board of canvassers completes [
1911 certify to the local legislative body the vote for and against the [
1912 that is the subject of the referendum petition.
1913 (3) (a) The local legislative body shall immediately issue a proclamation that:
1914 (i) gives the total number of votes cast in the local jurisdiction for and against each
1915 [
1916 (ii) declares those laws [
1917 were approved by majority vote to be in full force and effect as the law of the local jurisdiction.
1918 (b) When the local legislative body determines that two proposed laws, or that parts of
1919 two proposed laws approved by the people at the same election are entirely in conflict, they
1920 shall proclaim that measure to be law that has received the greatest number of affirmative
1921 votes, regardless of the difference in the majorities which those measures have received.
1922 (4) (a) Within 10 days after the local legislative body's proclamation, any qualified
1923 voter [
1924 that is declared by the local legislative body to be superseded by another measure approved at
1925 the same election may [
1926 has original jurisdiction, the Supreme Court to review the decision.
1927 (b) The [
1928 (i) consider the matter and decide whether [
1929 conflict; and
1930 (ii) [
1931 legislative body.
1932 (5) Within 10 days after the [
1933 certifies the decision, the local legislative body shall:
1934 (a) proclaim [
1935 [
1936 (b) [
1937
1938 that received the greatest number of affirmative votes, regardless of the difference in
1939 majorities.
1940 Section 36. Section 20A-7-612 is amended to read:
1941 20A-7-612. Misconduct of electors and officers -- Penalty.
1942 (1) It is unlawful for [
1943 (a) sign any name other than [
1944 petition;
1945 [
1946 [
1947 (c) in connection with circulating a referendum petition, represent that a document is
1948 an official government document if the individual knows or has reason to know that the
1949 document is not an official government document; or
1950 (d) knowingly and willfully violate any provision of this part.
1951 (2) It is unlawful for [
1952 referendum packet knowing that:
1953 (a) [
1954 (b) [
1955 individuals whose names appear in the referendum packet; or
1956 (c) one or more [
1957 packet:
1958 (i) is either:
1959 [
1960 [
1961 (ii) appears next to an inaccurate date of signature.
1962 (3) [
1963 misdemeanor.
1964 (4) The county attorney or municipal attorney shall prosecute any violation of this
1965 section.
1966 Section 37. Section 20A-7-613 is amended to read:
1967 20A-7-613. Property tax referendum petition.
1968 (1) As used in this section, "certified tax rate" means the same as that term is defined in
1969 Section 59-2-924.
1970 (2) Except as provided in this section, the requirements of this part apply to a
1971 referendum petition challenging a taxing entity's legislative body's vote to impose a tax rate that
1972 exceeds the certified tax rate.
1973 [
1974
1975 [
1976 signed and verified referendum packet to the county clerk of the county in which the packet
1977 was circulated no later than 40 days after the day on which the local clerk complies with
1978 Subsection [
1979 [
1980 take the actions required in Subsections 20A-7-606(2) and (3) within 10 working days after the
1981 day on which the county clerk receives the signed and verified referendum packet as described
1982 in Subsection [
1983 [
1984 two working days after the day on which the local clerk receives the referendum packets from
1985 the county clerk.
1986 [
1987 ballot title within two working days after the day on which the referendum petition is declared
1988 sufficient for submission to a vote of the people.
1989 [
1990 the ballot under this section shall appear on the ballot for the earlier of the next regular general
1991 election or the next municipal general election unless a special election is called.
1992 [
1993 (a) the election officer shall prepare absentee ballots for those voters who have
1994 requested an absentee ballot as soon as possible after the ballot title is prepared as described in
1995 Subsection [
1996 (b) the election officer shall mail absentee ballots on a referendum under this section
1997 the later of:
1998 (i) the time provided in Section 20A-3-305 or 20A-16-403; or
1999 (ii) the time that absentee ballots are prepared for mailing under this section.
2000 [
2001 [
2002 calculated to generate the increased revenue budgeted, adopted, and approved by the taxing
2003 entity's legislative body:
2004 (i) the certified tax rate for the fiscal year during which the referendum petition is filed
2005 is its most recent certified tax rate; and
2006 (ii) the proposed increased revenues for purposes of establishing the certified tax rate
2007 for the fiscal year after the fiscal year described in Subsection [
2008 increased revenues budgeted, adopted, and approved by the taxing entity's legislative body
2009 before the filing of the referendum petition.
2010 (b) If a majority of voters votes against imposing a tax at the rate established by the
2011 vote of the taxing entity's legislative body, the certified tax rate for the taxing entity is the
2012 taxing entity's most recent certified tax rate.
2013 (c) If the tax rate is set in accordance with Subsection [
2014 is not required to comply with the notice and public hearing requirements of Section 59-2-919
2015 if the taxing entity complies with those notice and public hearing requirements before the
2016 referendum petition is filed.
2017 [
2018 following: "Shall the [name of the taxing entity] be authorized to levy a tax rate in the amount
2019 sufficient to generate an increased property tax revenue of [amount] for fiscal year [year] as
2020 budgeted, adopted, and approved by the [name of the taxing entity]".
2021 [
2022 directly related to meeting the requirements of this section and that the county would not have
2023 incurred but for compliance with this section.
2024 [
2025 yet qualified for placement on the ballot, if:
2026 (i) sponsors file an application for a referendum described in this section;
2027 (ii) the ballot will be used for the election for which the sponsors are attempting to
2028 qualify the referendum; and
2029 (iii) the deadline for qualifying the referendum for placement on the ballot occurs after
2030 the day on which the ballot will be printed.
2031 (b) If an election officer includes on a ballot a referendum described in Subsection
2032 [
2033 (c) If an election officer includes on a ballot a referendum described in Subsection
2034 [
2035 the voters by any practicable method that the referendum has not qualified for the ballot and
2036 that votes cast in relation to the referendum will not be counted.
2037 Section 38. Section 20A-11-1202 is amended to read:
2038 20A-11-1202. Definitions.
2039 As used in this part:
2040 (1) "Applicable election officer" means:
2041 (a) a county clerk, if the email relates only to a local election; or
2042 (b) the lieutenant governor, if the email relates to an election other than a local
2043 election.
2044 (2) "Ballot proposition" means constitutional amendments, initiatives, referenda,
2045 judicial retention questions, opinion questions, bond approvals, or other questions submitted to
2046 the voters for their approval or rejection.
2047 (3) "Campaign contribution" means any of the following when done for a political
2048 purpose or to advocate for or against a ballot proposition:
2049 (a) a gift, subscription, donation, loan, advance, deposit of money, or anything of value
2050 given to a filing entity;
2051 (b) an express, legally enforceable contract, promise, or agreement to make a gift,
2052 subscription, donation, unpaid or partially unpaid loan, advance, deposit of money, or anything
2053 of value to a filing entity;
2054 (c) any transfer of funds from another reporting entity to a filing entity;
2055 (d) compensation paid by any person or reporting entity other than the filing entity for
2056 personal services provided without charge to the filing entity;
2057 (e) remuneration from:
2058 (i) any organization or the organization's directly affiliated organization that has a
2059 registered lobbyist; or
2060 (ii) any agency or subdivision of the state, including a school district; or
2061 (f) an in-kind contribution.
2062 (4) (a) "Commercial interlocal cooperation agency" means an interlocal cooperation
2063 agency that receives its revenues from conduct of its commercial operations.
2064 (b) "Commercial interlocal cooperation agency" does not mean an interlocal
2065 cooperation agency that receives some or all of its revenues from:
2066 (i) government appropriations;
2067 (ii) taxes;
2068 (iii) government fees imposed for regulatory or revenue raising purposes; or
2069 (iv) interest earned on public funds or other returns on investment of public funds.
2070 (5) "Expenditure" means:
2071 (a) a purchase, payment, donation, distribution, loan, advance, deposit, gift of money,
2072 or anything of value;
2073 (b) an express, legally enforceable contract, promise, or agreement to make any
2074 purchase, payment, donation, distribution, loan, advance, deposit, gift of money, or anything of
2075 value;
2076 (c) a transfer of funds between a public entity and a candidate's personal campaign
2077 committee;
2078 (d) a transfer of funds between a public entity and a political issues committee; or
2079 (e) goods or services provided to or for the benefit of a candidate, a candidate's
2080 personal campaign committee, or a political issues committee for political purposes at less than
2081 fair market value.
2082 (6) "Filing entity" means the same as that term is defined in Section 20A-11-101.
2083 (7) "Governmental interlocal cooperation agency" means an interlocal cooperation
2084 agency that receives some or all of its revenues from:
2085 (a) government appropriations;
2086 (b) taxes;
2087 (c) government fees imposed for regulatory or revenue raising purposes; or
2088 (d) interest earned on public funds or other returns on investment of public funds.
2089 (8) [
2090 [
2091
2092 (9) "Interlocal cooperation agency" means an entity created by interlocal agreement
2093 under the authority of Title 11, Chapter 13, Interlocal Cooperation Act.
2094 (10) "Local district" means an entity under Title 17B, Limited Purpose Local
2095 Government Entities - Local Districts, and includes a special service district under Title 17D,
2096 Chapter 1, Special Service District Act.
2097 (11) "Political purposes" means an act done with the intent or in a way to influence or
2098 intend to influence, directly or indirectly, any person to refrain from voting or to vote for or
2099 against any:
2100 (a) candidate for public office at any caucus, political convention, primary, or election;
2101 or
2102 (b) judge standing for retention at any election.
2103 (12) "Proposed initiative" means an initiative proposed in an application filed under
2104 Section 20A-7-202 or 20A-7-502.
2105 (13) "Proposed referendum" means a referendum proposed in an application filed
2106 under Section 20A-7-302 or 20A-7-602.
2107 [
2108 municipality, school district, local district, governmental interlocal cooperation agency, and
2109 each administrative subunit of each of them.
2110 (b) "Public entity" does not include a commercial interlocal cooperation agency.
2111 (c) "Public entity" includes local health departments created under Title 26, Chapter 1,
2112 Department of Health Organization.
2113 [
2114 appropriations, taxes, fees, interest, or other returns on investment.
2115 (b) "Public funds" does not include money donated to a public entity by a person or
2116 entity.
2117 [
2118 with authority to make or determine public policy.
2119 (b) "Public official" includes the person or group that:
2120 (i) has supervisory authority over the personnel and affairs of a public entity; and
2121 (ii) approves the expenditure of funds for the public entity.
2122 [
2123 20A-11-101.
2124 [
2125 agency, institution, officer, corporation, fund, division, office, committee, authority, laboratory,
2126 library, unit, bureau, panel, or other administrative unit of the state.
2127 (b) "State agency" includes the legislative branch, the Board of Regents, the
2128 institutional councils of each higher education institution, and each higher education
2129 institution.
2130 Section 39. Section 20A-11-1203 is amended to read:
2131 20A-11-1203. Public entity prohibited from expending public funds on certain
2132 electoral matters.
2133 (1) Unless specifically required by law, and except as provided in Section
2134 20A-11-1206, a public entity may not:
2135 (a) make an expenditure from public funds for political purposes [
2136 ballot proposition[
2137 (b) publish on the public entity's website an argument for or against a ballot
2138 proposition, a proposed initiative, or a proposed referendum.
2139 (2) A violation of this section does not invalidate an otherwise valid election.
2140 (3) This section does not prohibit the reasonable expenditure of public funds to gather
2141 information for, and respond directly to, an individual who makes an inquiry regarding a ballot
2142 proposition, a proposed initiative, or a proposed referendum.
2143 (4) This section does not prohibit:
2144 (a) a public entity from conducting research, or collecting and compiling information
2145 or arguments in relation to, a ballot proposition, a proposed initiative, or a proposed
2146 referendum;
2147 (b) an elected or appointed official of the public entity described in Subsection (4)(a)
2148 from using the research, information, or arguments described in Subsection (4)(a) for the
2149 purpose of advocating for or against a ballot proposition, proposed initiative, or proposed
2150 referendum via a website, or another medium, not owned or controlled by the public entity;
2151 (c) a public entity from posting on the public entity's website a link to another website,
2152 with a brief description, that is not owned or controlled by a public entity, or from publishing in
2153 any medium owned, controlled, or paid for by a public entity a website address, with a brief
2154 description, where an individual may view research, information, and arguments for or against
2155 a ballot proposition, proposed initiative, or proposed referendum if the public entity:
2156 (i) before posting the link or publishing the address, provides at least seven days
2157 written notice to the sponsors of the ballot proposition, proposed initiative, or proposed
2158 referendum:
2159 (A) of the public entity's intent to post the link or publish the address;
2160 (B) a description of each medium in which the public entity intends to post the link or
2161 publish the address; and
2162 (C) the dates of the publication or posting; and
2163 (ii) posts, immediately adjacent to the link or address, and brief description described
2164 in Subsection (4)(c)(i), a link to, or an address for, a website, with a brief description,
2165 containing the sponsors' research, information, and arguments for or against the ballot
2166 proposition, proposed initiative, or proposed referendum, if the sponsors provide a link or
2167 address within seven days after the day on which the sponsors receive the notice described in
2168 Subsection (4)(c)(i); or
2169 (d) a public entity from posting on the public entity's website, or any medium, a
2170 complete copy of a proposition information pamphlet described in Section 20A-7- 401.5 or a
2171 voter information pamphlet.
2172 Section 40. Section 20A-11-1205 is amended to read:
2173 20A-11-1205. Use of public email for a political purpose.
2174 (1) Except as provided in Subsection (5), a person may not send an email using the
2175 email of a public entity:
2176 (a) for a political purpose;
2177 (b) to advocate for or against a [
2178 proposed referendum, or referendum; or
2179 (c) to solicit a campaign contribution.
2180 (2) (a) The [
2181 person and the complainant notice and an opportunity to be heard, impose a civil fine against a
2182 person who violates Subsection (1) as follows:
2183 [
2184 [
2185 after [
2186 for a first violation, $1,000 multiplied by the number of violations committed by the person.
2187 (b) A person may, within 30 days after the day on which the lieutenant governor
2188 imposes a fine against the person under this Subsection (2), appeal the fine to a district court.
2189 (3) The [
2190 this section as a first violation if the violation is committed more than seven years after the day
2191 on which the person last committed a violation of this section.
2192 (4) For purposes of this section, one violation means one act of sending an email,
2193 regardless of the number of recipients of the email.
2194 (5) A person does not violate this section if:
2195 (a) the lieutenant governor finds that the email described in Subsection (1) was
2196 inadvertently sent by the person [
2197 entity[
2198 (b) the person is directly providing information solely to another person or a group of
2199 people in response to a question asked by the other person or group of people;
2200 (c) the information the person emails is an argument or rebuttal argument prepared
2201 under Section 20A-7-401.5 or 20A-7-402, and the email includes each opposing argument and
2202 rebuttal argument that:
2203 (i) relates to the same proposed initiative, initiative, proposed referendum, or
2204 referendum; and
2205 (ii) complies with the requirements of Section 20A-7-401.5 or 20A-7-402; or
2206 (d) the person is engaging in:
2207 (i) an internal communication solely within the public entity;
2208 (ii) a communication solely with another public entity;
2209 (iii) a communication solely with legal counsel;
2210 (iv) a communication solely with the sponsors of an initiative or referendum;
2211 (v) a communication solely with a land developer for a project permitted by a local
2212 land use law that is challenged by a proposed referendum or a referendum; or
2213 (vi) a communication solely with a person involved in a business transaction directly
2214 relating to a project described in Subsection (5)(d)(v).
2215 (6) A violation of this section does not invalidate an otherwise valid election.
2216 (7) An email sent in violation of Subsection (1), as determined by the records officer,
2217 constitutes a record, as defined in Section 63G-2-103, that is subject to the provisions of Title
2218 63G, Chapter 2, Government Records Access and Management Act, notwithstanding any
2219 applicability of Subsection 63G-2-103(22)(b)(i).
2220 Section 41. Section 20A-11-1206 is amended to read:
2221 20A-11-1206. Exclusions.
2222 (1) Nothing in this chapter prohibits a public official from speaking, campaigning,
2223 contributing personal money, or otherwise exercising the public official's individual First
2224 Amendment rights for political purposes.
2225 (2) (a) [
2226 entity from providing factual information about a ballot proposition to the public, so long as the
2227 information grants equal access to both the opponents and proponents of the ballot proposition.
2228 (b) A county or municipality may not provide any information to the public about a
2229 proposed initiative, initiative, proposed referendum, or referendum unless the county or
2230 municipality:
2231 (i) provides the information in a manner required, or expressly permitted, by law; or
2232 (ii) is directly providing information solely to a person or a group of people in response
2233 to a question asked by the person or group of people.
2234 (3) Nothing in this chapter prohibits a public entity from the neutral encouragement of
2235 voters to vote.
2236 (4) Nothing in this chapter prohibits an elected official from campaigning or
2237 advocating for or against a ballot proposition.
2238 (5) Subject to Subsection (6), a county or municipality may expend a reasonable
2239 amount of public funds to:
2240 (a) prepare and publish a written argument or written rebuttal argument in accordance
2241 with Section 20A-7-401.5, 20A-7-402, or 59-1-1604; or
2242 (b) prepare an argument for, and present an argument at, a public meeting under
2243 Section 20A-7-405 or 59-1-1605.
2244 (6) A county or municipality may not:
2245 (a) publish an argument or rebuttal argument prepared under Section 20A-7-401.5 or
2246 20A-7-402, unless, at the same time and in the same manner, the county or municipality
2247 publishes each opposing argument and rebuttal argument that:
2248 (i) relates to the same proposed initiative, initiative, proposed referendum, or
2249 referendum; and
2250 (ii) complies with the requirements of Section 20A-7-401.5 or 20A-7-402;
2251 (b) publish an argument or rebuttal argument for or against a proposed initiative,
2252 initiative, proposed referendum, or referendum that was not prepared and submitted in
2253 accordance with Section 20A-7-401.5 or 20A-7-402; or
2254 (c) present an argument or rebuttal argument for or against a proposed initiative,
2255 initiative, proposed referendum, or referendum at a public meeting, unless the county or
2256 municipality provides equal opportunity for persons to present opposing arguments and rebuttal
2257 arguments at the public meeting.
2258 Section 42. Section 63I-2-220 is amended to read:
2259 63I-2-220. Repeal dates, Title 20A.
2260 (1) Subsection 20A-5-803(8) is repealed July 1, 2023.
2261 (2) Section 20A-5-804 is repealed July 1, 2023.
2262 (3) On January 1, 2019, Subsections 20A-6-107(2) and (4) are repealed and the
2263 remaining subsections, and references to those subsections, are renumbered accordingly.
2264 (4) On July 1, 2018, in Subsection 20A-11-101(21), the language that states ",
2265 10-2a-302," is repealed.
2266 (5) On January 1, 2026:
2267 (a) In Subsection 20A-1-102[
2268 Chapter 4, Part 6, Municipal Alternate Voting Methods Pilot Project" is repealed.
2269 (b) In Subsections 20A-1-303(1)(a) and (b), the language that states "Except as
2270 provided in Title 20A, Chapter 4, Part 6, Municipal Alternate Voting Methods Pilot Project," is
2271 repealed.
2272 (c) In Section 20A-1-304, the language that states "Except for a race conducted by
2273 instant runoff voting under Title 20A, Chapter 4, Part 6, Municipal Alternate Voting Methods
2274 Pilot Project," is repealed.
2275 (d) In Subsection 20A-3-105(1)(a), the language that states "Except as provided in
2276 Subsection (5)," is repealed.
2277 (e) In Subsections 20A-3-105(1)(b), (3)(b), and (4)(b), the language that states "Except
2278 as provided in Subsections (5) and (6)," is repealed.
2279 (f) In Subsections 20A-3-105(2)(a)(i), (3)(a), and (4)(a), the language that states
2280 "Subject to Subsection (5)," is repealed.
2281 (g) Subsection 20A-3-105(5) is repealed and the remaining subsections in Section
2282 20A-3-105 are renumbered accordingly.
2283 (h) In Subsection 20A-4-101(2)(c), the language that states "Except as provided in
2284 Subsection (2)(f)," is repealed.
2285 (i) Subsection 20A-4-101(2)(f) is repealed.
2286 (j) Subsection 20A-4-101[
2287 "[
2288 judge shall apply the standards and requirements of Section 20A-4-105.".
2289 (k) In Subsection 20A-4-102(1)(a), the language that states "or a rule made under
2290 Subsection 20A-4-101(2)(f)(i)" is repealed.
2291 (l) Subsection 20A-4-102(1)(b) is repealed and replaced with the following:
2292 "(b) To resolve questions that arise during the counting of ballots, a counting judge
2293 shall apply the standards and requirements of Section 20A-4-105.".
2294 (m) In Subsection 20A-4-102(6)(a), the language that states ", except as provided in
2295 Title 20A, Chapter 4, Part 6, Municipal Alternate Voting Methods Pilot Project, or a rule made
2296 under Subsection 20A-4-101(2)(f)(i)" is repealed.
2297 (n) In Subsection 20A-4-105(1)(a), the language that states ", except as otherwise
2298 provided in Title 20A, Chapter 4, Part 6, Municipal Alternate Voting Methods Pilot Project," is
2299 repealed.
2300 (o) In Subsection 20A-4-105(2), the language that states "Subsection 20A-3-105(5), or
2301 Title 20A, Chapter 4, Part 6, Municipal Alternate Voting Methods Pilot Project," is repealed.
2302 (p) In Subsections 20A-4-105(3), (5), and (12), the language that states "Except as
2303 otherwise provided in Title 20A, Chapter 4, Part 6, Municipal Alternate Voting Methods Pilot
2304 Project," is repealed.
2305 (q) In Subsection 20A-4-106(1)(a)(ii), the language that states "or Title 20A, Chapter
2306 4, Part 6, Municipal Alternate Voting Methods Pilot Project" is repealed.
2307 (r) In Subsection 20A-4-304(1)(a), the language that states "except as provided in Title
2308 20A, Chapter 4, Part 6, Municipal Alternate Voting Methods Pilot Project," is repealed.
2309 (s) Subsection 20A-4-304(2)(a)(v) is repealed and replaced with the following:
2310 "(v) from each voting precinct:
2311 (A) the number of votes for each candidate; and
2312 (B) the number of votes for and against each ballot proposition;".
2313 (t) Subsection 20A-4-401(1)(a) is repealed, the remaining subsections in Subsection (1)
2314 are renumbered accordingly, and the cross-references to those subsections are renumbered
2315 accordingly.
2316 (u) Title 20A, Chapter 4, Part 6, Municipal Alternate Voting Methods Pilot Project, is
2317 repealed.
2318 (v) Subsection 20A-5-404(3)(b) is repealed and the remaining subsections in
2319 Subsection (3) are renumbered accordingly.
2320 (w) Subsection 20A-5-404(4)(b) is repealed and the remaining subsections in
2321 Subsection (4) are renumbered accordingly.
2322 (x) Section 20A-6-203.5 is repealed.
2323 (y) In Subsections 20A-6-402(1), (2), (3), and (4), the language that states "Except as
2324 otherwise required for a race conducted by instant runoff voting under Title 20A, Chapter 4,
2325 Part 6, Municipal Alternate Voting Methods Pilot Project," is repealed.
2326 (z) In Subsection 20A-9-404(1)(a), the language that states "or Title 20A, Chapter 4,
2327 Part 6, Municipal Alternate Voting Methods Pilot Project" is repealed.
2328 (aa) In Subsection 20A-9-404(2), the language that states "Except as otherwise
2329 provided in Title 20A, Chapter 4, Part 6, Municipal Alternate Voting Methods Pilot Project," is
2330 repealed.
2331 (6) Section 20A-7-407 is repealed January 1, 2021.
2332 Section 43. Revisor instructions.
2333 The Legislature intends that the Office of Legislative Research and General Counsel, in
2334 preparing the Utah Code database for publication, replace the reference in Subsection
2335 20A-7-407(1)(b) from "this bill" to the bill's designated chapter number in the Laws of Utah.
2336 Section 44. Coordinating H.B. 119 with S.B. 33 -- Substantive and technical
2337 amendments.
2338 If this H.B. 119 and S.B. 33, Political Procedures Amendments, both pass and become
2339 law, it is the intent of the Legislature that the Office of Legislative Research and General
2340 Counsel shall prepare the Utah Code database for publication by amending Subsections
2341 20A-7-402(3)(f) through (i) to read:
2342 "[
2343 ballot proposition may prepare [
2344 proposition.
2345 (ii) [
2346 (2)(e), an eligible voter opposed to the special local ballot proposition who submits a request
2347 under Subsection [
2348 ballot proposition.
2349 [
2350
2351
2352 [
2353
2354 (h) An eligible voter who submits [
2355 to a special local ballot proposition shall:
2356 (i) ensure that the written argument does not exceed 500 words in length, not counting
2357 the information described in Subsection (2)(h)(ii) or (iv);
2358 (ii) [
2359 no more than five, names as sponsors;
2360 (iii) submit the written argument to the election officer before 5 p.m. no later than 60
2361 days before the election day on which the ballot proposition will be submitted to the voters;
2362 [
2363 (iv) list in the argument, immediately after the eligible voter's name, the eligible voter's
2364 residential address; and
2365 [
2366 residential address, postal address, email address if available, and phone number.
2367 (i) An election officer shall refuse to accept and publish an argument [
2368 submitted after the deadline described in Subsection [