HB 242: Initiative and Referendum Signature Gathering and Removal Amendments - Utah

Introduced → Substitute #1 · 5 edits

MODERATE

This bill strengthens protections for initiative and referendum petitioners by regulating who can gather signatures for removal requests and how they are paid. It mandates that paid gatherers wear visible badges, be at least 18 years old, and get paid only by the hour. The bill also expands criminal penalties to prohibit offering money or other benefits to remove signatures and bans using voter email addresses for non-petition purposes.

Scope change

The bill expands the scope of prohibited conduct to include offering money, prepaid postage, or other direct financial benefits to remove signatures, and explicitly prohibits using voter email addresses for any purpose other than petition-related communication.

REQUIREMENT

Paid individuals gathering signature removal statements must now wear a visible badge on their torso displaying their unique ID, the petition title, the phrase 'Paid Signature Removal Statement Gatherer,' and the name of the payer.

Payment for gathering signature removal statements is now strictly limited to hourly rates; other payment structures are prohibited.

The verification form for signature removal statements now explicitly requires the gatherer to state they are at least 18 years old.

ENFORCEMENT

New criminal penalties prohibit offering money, prepaid postage, or any other direct financial benefit to an individual to remove their signature from a petition.

It is now unlawful to use an email address provided by a petition signer for any purpose other than those described in the initiative and referendum chapter.

Substitute #2 → Substitute #3 · 7 edits

MODERATE

This bill updates Utah's initiative and referendum laws to strengthen oversight of signature removal. It mandates that paid signature gatherers wear visible badges and verify they are over 18, requires specific warnings on removal forms about potential ballot impact, and bans paying individuals to remove signatures unless done by the hour. It also prohibits using voter email addresses for non-petition purposes and restricts mail-in removal statements unless postmarked by the effective date.

Scope change

The bill expands the scope of prohibited conduct to include offering prepaid postage or other direct financial benefits to remove signatures, and extends email usage restrictions to all petition signers.

REQUIREMENT

Paid signature removal gatherers must wear a visible badge with their ID number, the petition title, and the payer's name.

Signature removal statements collected by paid gatherers must include a notice warning that removal might prevent the measure from appearing on the ballot.

The previous blanket ban on submitting signature removal statements by mail is now limited; mail submissions are allowed if postmarked on or before the bill's effective date.

Petition signers' email addresses cannot be used for any purpose other than the petition process itself.

ENFORCEMENT

Paying someone to gather a signature removal statement is now illegal unless the payment is based strictly on an hourly rate.

It is now unlawful to offer money, prepaid postage, or any direct financial benefit to an individual to remove their signature from a petition.

TIMELINE

New provisions regarding badges, verification forms, and mail-in exceptions begin on May 6, 2026.

Substitute #1 → Substitute #2 · 5 edits

MODERATE

This bill updates Utah's initiative and referendum signature removal rules to increase transparency and accountability. It adds a new requirement for paid signature gatherers to wear identification badges and verify they are at least 18 years old. The bill also mandates that paid gatherers include a specific notice on removal forms warning voters that removing a signature could cause the entire petition to fail. Additionally, it restricts how petition signers can submit removal requests, prohibiting email submissions and allowing only in-person or mail submissions.

Scope change

The bill expands the scope of regulation to include specific requirements for paid signature removal gatherers and clarifies the submission methods for signature removal statements across statewide and local petitions.

REQUIREMENT

Requires paid signature removal gatherers to display identification badges and verify they are at least 18 years old.

Mandates that signature removal statements collected by paid gatherers include a notice warning that removal may prevent the petition from appearing on the ballot.

Prohibits voters from submitting signature removal statements via email, restricting submissions to in-person or mail only.

ENFORCEMENT

Expands criminal penalties to prohibit offering direct financial benefits to individuals for removing their signatures.

TIMELINE

Sets a special effective date of May 6, 2026, for the new badge and verification requirements.

Initiative and Referendum Signature Gathering and Removal Amendments

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