HB 242

Enrolled Copy  H.B. 242
1Initiative and Referendum Signature Gathering and Removal Amendments
  2026 GENERAL SESSION
  STATE OF UTAH
  Chief Sponsor: Karen M. Peterson
  Senate Sponsor: Calvin R. Musselman
2
3  LONG TITLE
4  General Description:
5This bill addresses petition signature gathering and removal.
6  Highlighted Provisions:
7This bill:
8▸ requires an individual who gathers a statement requesting removal of a petition signer's
9  signature to be at least 18 years old;
10▸ beginning on May 6, 2026, requires a paid signature removal statement gatherer to:
11●   display a badge disclosing certain information while gathering the statement; and
12●   verify, on the statement, certain information about the individual who signs the
13  statement;
14▸ beginning on May 6, 2026, requires a signature removal statement, if collected by a paid
15  gatherer, to include a notice that removing the signer's signature may prevent the
16  initiative or referendum from appearing on the ballot;
17▸ prohibits a person from paying a person to gather a signature removal statement unless
18  the payment is based on an hourly rate;
19▸ prohibits a person from using an initiative or referendum petition signer's email address
20  for any non-petition related purpose;
21▸ prohibits a voter from submitting a signature removal statement by mail using prepaid
22  postage;
23▸ creates an exception to the prohibition described above if a signature removal statement
24  submitted by mail using prepaid postage is postmarked on or before the effective date of
25  this bill;
26▸ provides that, in certain circumstances, a county clerk may not refuse to certify an
27  initiative or referendum petition signature solely because the date written next to the
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28   signature contains a one-calendar-year error;
29▸ expands existing criminal penalties in relation to the initiative and referendum process by
30   prohibiting an individual from:
31●   making certain misrepresentations while the individual gathers petition signatures or
32   signature removal statements; or
33●   providing or offering to provide money, prepaid postage, or any direct financial
34   benefit to an individual to remove the individual's signature from a petition;
35▸ includes a coordination clause creating an exception to the prohibition in H.B. 32,
36   Signature Gathering and Verification Amendments, on certifying a petition signature
37   dated after the submission deadline when the date qualifies for the one-calendar-year
38   error provision created by this bill; and
39▸ makes technical and conforming changes.
40   Money Appropriated in this Bill:
41None
42   Other Special Clauses:
43This bill provides a special effective date.
44This bill provides a coordination clause.
45   Utah Code Sections Affected:
46   AMENDS:
4720A-1-1003, as last amended by Laws of Utah 2024, Chapter 442
4820A-7-105, as last amended by Laws of Utah 2025, Chapter 448
4920A-7-106, as last amended by Laws of Utah 2025, Chapter 381
5020A-7-213, as last amended by Laws of Utah 2024, Chapter 442
5120A-7-216, as last amended by Laws of Utah 2025, Chapter 448
5220A-7-312, as last amended by Laws of Utah 2024, Chapter 442
5320A-7-314, as last amended by Laws of Utah 2025, Chapter 448
5420A-7-512, as last amended by Laws of Utah 2024, Chapter 442
5520A-7-515, as last amended by Laws of Utah 2025, Chapter 448
5620A-7-612, as last amended by Laws of Utah 2024, Chapter 442
5720A-7-615, as last amended by Laws of Utah 2025, Chapter 448
58   ENACTS:
5920A-7-104.5, Utah Code Annotated 1953
60   Utah Code Sections affected by Coordination Clause:
6120A-7-105, as last amended by Laws of Utah 2025, Chapter 448
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62
63  Be it enacted by the Legislature of the state of Utah:
64Section 1. Section 20A-1-1003 is amended to read:
6520A-1-1003 . Signature removal -- Statement required.
66  (1) A voter who signs a petition may have the voter's signature removed from the petition
67      by submitting to the clerk a statement requesting that the voter's signature be removed.
68  (2)(a)(i) [The] Subject to Subsection (2)(a)(iii), the statement described in Subsection
69      (1) shall include:
70(A) the name or description of the petition from which the voter seeks to remove
71the voter's signature;
72(B) the name of the voter;
73(C) the resident address at which the voter is registered to vote;
74(D) except as otherwise provided in Section 20A-7-106, the voter's signature; and
75(E) the date of the signature described in Subsection (2)(a)(i)(D).
76(ii) To increase the likelihood of the voter's signature being identified and removed,
77the statement may include the voter's birth date or age.
78(iii) Beginning on May 6, 2026, if an individual is paid to collect a statement
79described in Subsection (1), the statement shall include, in addition to the
80information described in Subsection (2)(a)(i):
81(A) the following printed notice, appearing immediately adjacent to the voter's
82signature: "I understand that by signing this statement, the [name or description
83of petition] may not appear on the ballot."; and
84(B) the following verification to be completed by the individual who collects the
85statement:
86"VERIFICATION OF SIGNATURE REMOVAL STATEMENT
87GATHERER:
88I, _____________________, hereby state, under penalty of perjury, that:
89I am at least 18 years old;
90The name that appears on this statement was signed by an individual who
91professed to a voter who signed the [name or description of petition]; and
92The individual signed the individual's name on this statement in my
93presence or, in the case of an individual with a qualifying disability, I have
94signed this statement on the individual's behalf, at the direction of the
95individual and in the individual's presence, by entering the initials "AV" as the
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96individual's signature.
97_________________________________________________________
98(Name) (Date)."
99(b)(i) [Except as provided in Subsection 20A-7-216(5)(a), 20A-7-314(5)(a),
10020A-7-515(4)(b), or 20A-7-615(4)(b), a] A voter may not submit a statement
101described in Subsection (1) by mail using prepaid postage, email, or other
102electronic means.
103(ii) Notwithstanding Subsection (2)(b)(i), a clerk may accept a statement described in
104Subsection (1) submitted by mail using prepaid postage if the statement is
105postmarked on or before the effective date of this bill.
106(c) In order for the signature to be removed, the clerk must receive the statement
107described in Subsection (1) no later than the deadline described in the provision of
108law governing the petition.
109(d) A voter may only remove a signature from a petition in accordance with this section
110and the provision of law governing the petition.
111(e) A clerk shall analyze a signature, for purposes of removing a signature from a
112petition, in accordance with Subsection (3).
113   (3) Except to the extent otherwise required under Section 20A-7-106, the clerk shall use the
114following procedures to determine whether to remove an individual's signature from a
115petition after receiving a timely, valid statement requesting removal of the signature:
116(a) if the signer's name and address shown on the statement and the petition exactly
117match a name and address shown on the official register and the individual's
118signature on the statement is reasonably consistent with the individual's signature on
119the statewide voter registration database, the clerk shall remove the signature from
120the petition;
121(b) if there is no exact match of an address and a name, the clerk shall remove the
122signature from the petition if:
123(i) the address on the statement and the address provided by the individual with the
124individual's petition signature match the address of an individual on the official
125register with a substantially similar name; and
126(ii) the individual's signature on the statement is reasonably consistent with the
127signature on the statewide voter registration database of the individual described
128in Subsection (3)(b)(i); and
129(c) if there is no match of an address and a substantially similar name, the clerk shall
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130remove the signature from the petition if:
131(i) the birth date or age on the statement and the birth date or age provided by the
132individual with the individual's petition signature match the birth date or age of an
133individual on the official register with a substantially similar name; and
134(ii) the individual's signature on the statement is reasonably consistent with the
135signature on the statewide voter registration database of the individual described
136in Subsection (3)(b)(i).
137  (4) If a signature does not qualify for removal under Subsection (3)(a), (b), or (c), or, if
138      applicable, Section 20A-7-106, the clerk may not remove the signature from the petition.
139Section 2. Section 20A-7-104.5 is enacted to read:
14020A-7-104.5 . Signature removal statement gatherers -- Badge -- Information --
141  Payment.
142  (1) An individual who gathers a statement described in Section 20A-1-1003 requesting
143      removal of a signature from an initiative petition or referendum petition shall be at least
144      18 years old.
145  (2) Beginning on May 6, 2026, an individual described in Subsection (1) who is paid to
146      gather a statement shall, while gathering a statement, display a badge on the front of the
147      individual's torso that complies with the following, ensuring that the information on the
148      badge is clearly visible to the individual from whom the statement is sought:
149      (a) the badge shall be printed in black ink on white cardstock and laminated; and
150      (b) the information on the badge shall be in at least 24-point type and include the
151following information:
152(i) an identification number that is unique to the individual gathering the statement,
153assigned by:
154(A) for a statewide initiative or referendum, the lieutenant governor; or
155(B) for a local initiative or referendum, the local clerk;
156(ii) the title of the initiative or referendum petition to which the statement relates;
157(iii) the words "Paid Signature Removal Statement Gatherer"; and
158(iv) the name of the person or entity paying the individual to gather the statement.
159  (3) A person may not pay an individual to gather a signature removal statement under this
160      chapter unless the payment is based on an hourly rate.
161  The following section is affected by a coordination clause at the end of this bill.
162Section 3. Section 20A-7-105 is amended to read:
16320A-7-105 . Manual petition processes -- Obtaining signatures -- Verification --
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164   Submitting the petition -- Certification of signatures -- Transfer to lieutenant governor --
165   Removal of signature.
166   (1) This section applies only to the manual initiative process and the manual referendum
167process.
168   (2) As used in this section:
169(a) "Local petition" means:
170(i) a manual local initiative petition described in Part 5, Local Initiatives - Procedures;
171or
172(ii) a manual local referendum petition described in Part 6, Local Referenda -
173Procedures.
174(b) "Packet" means an initiative packet or referendum packet.
175(c) "Petition" means a local petition or statewide petition.
176(d) "Statewide petition" means:
177(i) a manual statewide initiative petition described in Part 2, Statewide Initiatives; or
178(ii) a manual statewide referendum petition described in Part 3, Statewide Referenda.
179   (3)(a) A Utah voter may sign a statewide petition if the voter is a legal voter.
180(b) A Utah voter may sign a local petition if the voter:
181(i) is a legal voter; and
182(ii) resides in the local jurisdiction.
183   (4)(a) The sponsors shall ensure that the individual in whose presence each signature
184sheet was signed:
185(i) is at least 18 years old;
186(ii) verifies each signature sheet by completing the verification printed on the last
187page of each packet; and
188(iii) is informed that each signer is required to read and understand:
189(A) for an initiative petition, the law proposed by the initiative; or
190(B) for a referendum petition, the law that the referendum seeks to overturn.
191(b) An individual may not sign the verification printed on the last page of a packet if the
192individual signed a signature sheet in the packet.
193   (5)(a) The sponsors, or an agent of the sponsors, shall submit a signed and verified
194packet to the county clerk of the county in which the packet was circulated before 5
195p.m. no later than the earlier of:
196(i) for a statewide initiative:
197(A) the first business day that is at least 30 calendar days after the day on which
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198the first individual signs the initiative packet;
199(B) the last business day that is no more than 316 calendar days after the day on
200which the application for the initiative petition is filed; or
201(C) the February 15 immediately before the next regular general election
202immediately after the application is filed under Section 20A-7-202;
203(ii) for a statewide referendum:
204(A) the first business day that is at least 30 calendar days after the day on which
205the first individual signs the referendum packet; or
206(B) the first business day that is at least 40 calendar [ ]days after the day on which
207the legislative session at which the law passed ends;
208(iii) for a local initiative:
209(A) the first business day that is at least 30 calendar days after the day on which
210the first individual signs the initiative packet;
211(B) the last business day that is no more than 316 calendar days after the day on
212which the application is filed;
213(C) the April 15 immediately before the next regular general election immediately
214after the application is filed under Section 20A-7-502, if the local initiative is a
215county initiative; or
216(D) the April 15 immediately before the next municipal general election
217immediately after the application is filed under Section 20A-7-502, if the local
218initiative is a municipal initiative; or
219(iv) for a local referendum:
220(A) the first business day that is at least 30 calendar days after the day on which
221the first individual signs the referendum packet; or
222(B) the first business day that is at least 45 calendar days after the day on which
223the sponsors receive the items described in Subsection 20A-7-604(3) from the
224local clerk.
225      (b) A person may not submit a packet after the applicable deadline described in
226Subsection (5)(a).
227      (c) Before delivering an initiative packet to the county clerk under this Subsection (5),
228the sponsors shall send an email to each individual who provides a legible, valid
229email address on the signature sheet that includes the following:
230(i) the subject of the email shall include the following statement, "Notice Regarding
231Your Petition Signature"; and
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232   (ii) the body of the email shall include the following statement in 12-point type:
233"You signed a petition for the following initiative:
234[insert title of initiative]
235To access a copy of the initiative petition, the initiative, the fiscal impact statement, and
236information on the deadline for removing your signature from the petition, please visit the
237following link: [insert a uniform resource locator that takes the individual directly to the page
238on the lieutenant governor's or county clerk's website that includes the information referred to
239in the email]."
240(d) For a statewide initiative, the sponsors shall, no later than 5 p.m. on the day on which
241the sponsors submit the last initiative packet to the county clerk, submit to the
242lieutenant governor:
243(i) a list containing:
244(A) the name and email address of each individual the sponsors sent, or caused to
245be sent, the email described in Subsection (5)(c); and
246(B) the date the email was sent;
247(ii) a copy of the email described in Subsection (5)(c); and
248   (iii) the following written verification, completed and signed by each of the sponsors:
249"Verification of initiative sponsor State of Utah, County of __________I, __________,
250of __________, hereby state, under penalty of perjury, that:
251I am a sponsor of the initiative petition entitled ____________________; and
252I sent, or caused to be sent, to each individual who provided a legible, valid email
253address on a signature sheet submitted to the county clerk in relation to the initiative petition,
254the email described in Utah Code Subsection 20A-7-105(5)(c).
255______________________________________________________________ __
256(Name)  (Residence Address)  (Date)."[.]
257(e) For a local initiative, the sponsors shall, no later than 5 p.m. on the day on which the
258sponsors submit the last initiative packet to the local clerk, submit to the local clerk
259the items described in Subsection (5)(d).
260(f) Signatures gathered for an initiative petition are not valid if the sponsors do not
261comply with Subsection (5)(c), (d), or (e).
262   (6)(a) Within 21 calendar days after the day on which the county clerk receives the
263packet, the county clerk shall:
264(i) use the procedures described in Section 20A-1-1002, or 20A-7-106 if applicable,
265to determine whether each signer is a legal voter and, as applicable, the
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266jurisdiction where the signer is registered to vote;
267(ii) for a statewide initiative or a statewide referendum:
268(A) certify on the petition whether each name is that of a legal voter;
269(B) post the name, voter identification number, and date of signature of each legal
270voter certified under Subsection (6)(a)(ii)(A) on the lieutenant governor's
271website, in a conspicuous location designated by the lieutenant governor; and
272(C) deliver the verified packet to the lieutenant governor; and
273(iii) for a local initiative or a local referendum:
274(A) certify on the petition whether each name is that of a legal voter who is
275registered in the jurisdiction to which the initiative or referendum relates;
276(B) post the name, voter identification number, and date of signature of each legal
277voter certified under Subsection (6)(a)(iii)(A) on the lieutenant governor's
278website, in a conspicuous location designated by the lieutenant governor; and
279(C) deliver the verified packet to the local clerk.
280      (b) For a local initiative or local referendum, the local clerk shall post a link in a
281conspicuous location on the local government's website to the posting described in
282Subsection (6)(a)(iii)(B):
283(i) for a local initiative, during the period of time described in Subsection
28420A-7-507(3)(a); or
285(ii) for a local referendum, during the period of time described in Subsection
28620A-7-607(2)(a)(i).
287  (7)(a) The county clerk may not certify a signature under Subsection [(6)] (6)(a):
288[(a)] (i) on a packet that is not verified in accordance with Subsection (4); or
289[(b)] (ii) that does not have a date of signature next to the signature.
290      (b) A county clerk may not refuse to certify a signature under Subsection (6)(a) or
291otherwise reject the packet solely because the date written next to the signature
292contains a one-calendar-year error if the date, adjusted by one calendar year, would
293fall within the period that:
294(i) begins on the day on which the first individual signs the packet under Subsection
295(5)(a); and
296(ii) ends on the day on which the packet is submitted.
297      (c) Certification of a signature described in Subsection (7)(b) does not change the date
298on which the first individual signs the packet for purposes of calculating a deadline
299under Subsection (5)(a).
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300   (8)(a) A voter who signs a statewide initiative petition may have the voter's signature
301removed from the petition by, in accordance with Section 20A-1-1003, submitting to
302the county clerk a statement requesting that the voter's signature be removed no later
303than 5 p.m. the earlier of:
304(i) for an initiative packet received by the county clerk before December 1:
305(A) the first business day that is at least 30 calendar days after the day on which
306the voter signs the signature removal statement; or
307(B) the first business day that is at least 90 calendar days after the day on which
308the lieutenant governor posts the voter's name under Subsection 20A-7-207(2);
309or
310(ii) for an initiative packet received by the county clerk on or after December 1:
311(A) the first business day that is at least 30 calendar days after the day on which
312the voter signs the signature removal statement; or
313(B) the first business day that is at least 45 calendar days after the day on which
314the lieutenant governor posts the voter's name under Subsection 20A-7-207(2).
315(b) A voter who signs a statewide referendum petition may have the voter's signature
316removed from the petition by, in accordance with Section 20A-1-1003, submitting to
317the county clerk a statement requesting that the voter's signature be removed no later
318than 5 p.m. the earlier of:
319(i) the first business day that is at least 30 calendar days after the day on which the
320voter signs the statement requesting removal; or
321(ii) the first business day that is at least 45 calendar days after the day on which the
322lieutenant governor posts the voter's name under Subsection 20A-7-307(2).
323(c) A voter who signs a local initiative petition may have the voter's signature removed
324from the petition by, in accordance with Section 20A-1-1003, submitting to the
325county clerk a statement requesting that the voter's signature be removed no later than
3265 p.m. the earlier of:
327(i) the first business day that is at least 30 calendar days after the day on which the
328voter signs the signature removal statement;
329(ii) the first business day that is at least 90 calendar days after the day on which the
330local clerk posts the voter's name under Subsection 20A-7-507(2);
331(iii) the last business day that is no more than 316 calendar days after the day on
332which the application is filed; or
333(iv)(A) for a county initiative, April 15 immediately before the next regular
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334general election immediately after the application is filed under Section
33520A-7-502; or
336(B) for a municipal initiative, April 15 immediately before the next municipal
337general election immediately after the application is filed under Section
33820A-7-502.
339      (d) A voter who signs a local referendum petition may have the voter's signature
340removed from the petition by, in accordance with Section 20A-1-1003, submitting to
341the county clerk a statement requesting that the voter's signature be removed no later
342than 5 p.m. the earlier of:
343(i) the first business day that is at least 30 calendar days after the day on which the
344voter signs the statement requesting removal; or
345(ii) the first business day that is at least 45 calendar days after the day on which the
346local clerk posts the voter's name under Subsection 20A-7-607(2)(a).
347      (e) In order for the signature to be removed, the county clerk must receive the statement
348described in this Subsection (8) before 5 p.m. no later than the applicable deadline
349described in this Subsection (8).
350      (f) A county clerk shall analyze a signature, for purposes of removing a signature from a
351petition, in accordance with Subsection 20A-1-1003(3).
352  (9)(a) If the county clerk timely receives a statement requesting signature removal under
353      Subsection (8) and determines that the signature should be removed from the petition
354      under Subsection 20A-1-1003(3), the county clerk shall:
355(i) ensure that the voter's name, voter identification number, and date of signature are
356not included in the posting described in Subsection (6)(a)(ii)(B) or (iii)(B); and
357(ii) remove the voter's signature from the signature packets and signature packet
358totals.
359      (b) The county clerk shall comply with Subsection (9)(a) before the later of:
360(i) the deadline described in Subsection (6)(a); or
361(ii) two business days after the day on which the county clerk receives a statement
362requesting signature removal under Subsection (8).
363  (10) A person may not retrieve a packet from a county clerk, or make any alterations or
364      corrections to a packet, after the packet is submitted to the county clerk.
365  (11) A person may not use an email address provided by the signer of an initiative petition
366      or a referendum petition for any purpose other than a purpose described in this chapter.
367Section 4. Section 20A-7-106 is amended to read:
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36820A-7-106 . Petition signature or removal for an individual with a disability.
369   (1) If a voter who desires to sign a petition is, due to a qualifying disability under the
370Americans with Disabilities Act, unable to fill out the signature sheet or to sign the
371voter's name consistently, the voter may:
372(a) inform the individual gathering signatures that, due to a qualifying disability under
373the Americans with Disabilities Act, the voter is unable to fill out the signature sheet
374or to sign the voter's name consistently; and
375(b) direct the individual gathering signatures to:
376(i) fill out the form on the signature sheet with the information provided by the voter;
377and
378(ii) in place of the registered voter's signature:
379(A) place the initials "AV" to indicate that the county clerk must use an alternate
380verification process to verify the validity of the voter's signature; and
381(B) place next to the initials described in Subsection (1)(b)(ii)(A) a phone number,
382email address, or other method that the county clerk may use to contact the
383voter to verify the identity of the voter.
384   (2) If a voter who desires to remove the voter's signature from a petition is, due to a
385qualifying disability under the Americans with Disabilities Act, unable to sign the
386voter's name consistently, the voter may, instead of signing the statement described in
387Section 20A-1-1003:
388(a) place the initials "AV" to indicate that the county clerk must use an alternate
389verification process to verify the validity of the voter's signature; and
390(b) include in the statement a phone number, email address, or other method that the
391county clerk may use to contact the voter to verify the identity of the voter.
392   (3) An individual who, in the course of gathering a signature under Subsection (1) or
393gathering a statement requesting removal of a signature under Subsection (2), obtains a
394voter's email address may not use the email address for any purpose.
395   [(3)] (4) The alternate verification process described in this section includes:
396(a) the process described in Subsection 20A-3a-401(9)(b); or
397(b) another process established by rule, made by the director of elections within the
398Office of the Lieutenant Governor, in accordance with Title 63G, Chapter 3, Utah
399Administrative Rulemaking Act.
400Section 5. Section 20A-7-213 is amended to read:
40120A-7-213 . Misconduct of electors and officers -- Penalty.
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402  (1) It is unlawful for an individual to:
403      (a) sign any name other than the individual's own to an initiative petition or a statement
404described in Subsection 20A-7-105(8) or 20A-7-216(4);
405      (b) knowingly sign the individual's name more than once for the same initiative at one
406election;
407      (c) knowingly indicate that an individual who signed an initiative petition signed the
408initiative petition on a date other than the date that the individual signed the initiative
409petition;
410      (d) sign an initiative petition knowing the individual is not a legal voter; or
411      [(e) on behalf of a voter described in Section 20A-7-106, place the initials "AV" or enter
412any information on a signature sheet or statement described in Section 20A-7-106, if
413the individual:]
414[(i) does not obtain the voluntary direction or consent of the voter;]
415[(ii) believes or has reason to believe that the voter lacks the mental capacity to give
416the voter's direction or consent;]
417[(iii) believes or has reason to believe that the voter does not understand the purpose
418or nature of the action taken by the individual on behalf of the voter;]
419[(iv) intentionally or knowingly deceives the voter into providing the direction or
420consent of the voter; or]
421[(v) intentionally or knowingly enters false information on the signature sheet or
422statement; or]
423      [(f)] (e) knowingly and willfully violate any provision of this part.
424  (2) It is unlawful for an individual to sign the verification for an initiative packet, or to
425      electronically sign the verification for a signature under Subsection 20A-21-201(10),
426      knowing that:
427      (a) the signature date associated with the individual's signature for the initiative petition
428is not the date that the individual signed the initiative petition;
429      (b) the individual has not witnessed the signatures of those individuals whose signatures
430the individual collects or submits; or
431      (c) one or more individuals who signed the initiative petition are not registered to vote in
432Utah.
433  (3) It is unlawful for an individual to:
434      (a) pay an individual to sign an initiative petition;
435      [(b) pay an individual to remove the individual's signature from an initiative petition;]
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436(b) pay an individual, or provide or offer to provide money, prepaid postage, or any
437other direct financial benefit to an individual, to remove the individual's signature
438from an initiative petition;
439(c) accept payment to sign an initiative petition;[ or]
440(d) accept payment to have the individual's name removed from an initiative petition[.] ;
441(e) make a misrepresentation that is likely to deceive, or misrepresent that the individual
442is affiliated with or acting on behalf of a governmental entity, while the individual
443gathers or attempts to gather:
444(i) a signature for an initiative petition; or
445(ii) a statement described in Section 20A-1-1003 requesting removal of a signature
446from an initiative petition; or
447(f) on behalf of a voter described in Section 20A-7-106, place the initials "AV" or enter
448any information on a signature sheet or statement described in Section 20A-7-106, if
449the individual:
450(i) does not obtain the voluntary direction or consent of the voter;
451(ii) believes or has reason to believe that the voter lacks the mental capacity to give
452the voter's direction or consent;
453(iii) believes or has reason to believe that the voter does not understand the purpose
454or nature of the action taken by the individual on behalf of the voter;
455(iv) intentionally or knowingly deceives the voter into providing the direction or
456consent of the voter; or
457(v) intentionally or knowingly enters false information on the signature sheet or
458statement.
459   (4) A violation of this section is a class A misdemeanor.
460Section 6. Section 20A-7-216 is amended to read:
46120A-7-216 . Electronic initiative process -- Obtaining signatures -- Request to
462   remove signature.
463   (1) This section applies to the electronic initiative process.
464   (2) A Utah voter may sign an initiative petition if the voter is a legal voter.
465   (3) The sponsors shall ensure that the signature-gatherer who collects a signature from an
466individual:
467(a) verifies that the individual is at least 18 years old and meets the residency
468requirements of Section 20A-2-105; and
469(b) is informed that each signer is required to read and understand the law proposed by
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470the initiative.
471  (4) A voter who signs an initiative petition may have the voter's signature removed from the
472      initiative petition by, in accordance with Section 20A-1-1003, submitting to the county
473      clerk a statement requesting that the voter's signature be removed before 5 p.m. no later
474      than the earlier of:
475      (a) for an electronic signature gathered before December 1:
476(i) the first business day that is at least 30 calendar days after the day on which the
477voter signs the signature removal statement; or
478(ii) the first business day that is at least 90 calendar days after the day on which the
479county clerk posts the voter's name under Subsection 20A-7-217(4); or
480      (b) for an electronic signature gathered on or after December 1:
481(i) the first business day that is at least 30 calendar days after the day on which the
482voter signs the signature removal statement; or
483(ii) the first business day that is at least 45 calendar days after the day on which the
484county clerk posts the voter's name under Subsection 20A-7-217(4).
485  (5)(a)(i) A voter may not submit a signature removal statement described in
486      Subsection (4) by mail using prepaid postage, email, or other electronic means[,
487      unless the lieutenant governor establishes a signature removal process that is
488      consistent with the requirements of this section and Section 20A-21-201].
489(ii) Notwithstanding Subsection (5)(a)(i), a county clerk may accept a signature
490removal statement submitted by mail using prepaid postage if the statement is
491postmarked on or before the effective date of this bill.
492      (b) A person may only remove an electronic signature from an initiative petition in
493accordance with this section.
494      (c) A county clerk shall analyze a holographic signature, for purposes of removing an
495electronic signature from an initiative petition, in accordance with Subsection
49620A-1-1003(3).
497Section 7. Section 20A-7-312 is amended to read:
49820A-7-312 . Misconduct of electors and officers -- Penalty.
499  (1) It is unlawful for any person to:
500      (a) sign any name other than the person's own to a referendum petition;
501      (b) knowingly sign the person's name more than once for the same referendum petition
502at one election;
503      (c) knowingly indicate that a person who signed a referendum petition signed the
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504referendum petition on a date other than the date that the person signed the petition;
505(d) sign a referendum petition knowing the person is not a legal voter; or
506(e) knowingly and willfully violate any provision of this part.
507   (2) It is unlawful for any person to sign the verification for a referendum packet, or to
508electronically sign the verification for a signature under Subsection 20A-21-201(10)
509knowing that:
510(a) the signature date associated with the person's signature for the referendum petition
511is not the date that the person signed the referendum petition;
512(b) the person has not witnessed the signatures of those persons whose signatures the
513person collects or submits; or
514(c) one or more individuals who sign the referendum petition are not registered to vote
515in Utah.
516   (3) It is unlawful for [any person] an individual to:
517(a) pay [a person] an individual to sign a referendum petition;
518[(b) pay a person to remove the person's signature from a referendum petition;]
519(b) pay an individual, or provide or offer to provide money, prepaid postage, or any
520other direct financial benefit to an individual, to remove the individual's signature
521from a referendum petition;
522(c) accept payment to sign a referendum petition;
523(d) accept payment to have the [person's] individual's name removed from a referendum
524petition;[ or]
525(e) make a misrepresentation that is likely to deceive, or misrepresent that the individual
526is affiliated with or acting on behalf of a governmental entity, while the individual
527gathers or attempts to gather:
528(i) a signature for a referendum petition; or
529(ii) a statement described in Section 20A-1-1003 requesting removal of a signature
530from a referendum petition; or
531[(e)] (f) on behalf of a voter described in Section 20A-7-106, place the initials "AV" or
532enter any information on a signature sheet or statement described in Section
53320A-7-106, if the individual:
534(i) does not obtain the voluntary direction or consent of the voter;
535(ii) believes or has reason to believe that the voter lacks the mental capacity to give
536the voter's direction or consent;
537(iii) believes or has reason to believe that the voter does not understand the purpose
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538or nature of the action taken by the individual on behalf of the voter;
539(iv) intentionally or knowingly deceives the voter into providing the direction or
540consent of the voter; or
541(v) intentionally or knowingly enters false information on the signature sheet or
542statement.
543  (4) Any person violating this section is guilty of a class A misdemeanor.
544Section 8. Section 20A-7-314 is amended to read:
54520A-7-314 . Electronic referendum process -- Obtaining signatures -- Request to
546  remove signature.
547  (1) This section applies to the electronic referendum process.
548  (2) A Utah voter may sign a referendum petition if the voter is a legal voter.
549  (3) The sponsors shall ensure that the signature-gatherer who collects a signature from an
550      individual:
551      (a) verifies that the individual is at least 18 years old and meets the residency
552requirements of Section 20A-2-105; and
553      (b) is informed that each signer is required to read and understand the law that is the
554subject of the referendum petition.
555  (4) A voter who signs a referendum petition may have the voter's signature removed from
556      the referendum petition by, in accordance with Section 20A-1-1003, submitting to the
557      county clerk a statement requesting that the voter's signature be removed before 5 p.m.
558      no later than the earlier of:
559      (a) the first business day that is at least 30 calendar days after the day on which the voter
560signs the statement requesting removal; or
561      (b) the first business day that is at least 45 calendar days after the day on which the
562lieutenant governor posts the voter's name under Subsection 20A-7-315(4).
563  (5)(a)(i) A voter may not submit a signature removal statement described in
564      Subsection (4) by mail using prepaid postage, email, or other electronic means[,
565      unless the lieutenant governor establishes a signature removal process that is
566      consistent with the requirements of this section and Section 20A-21-201].
567(ii) Notwithstanding Subsection (5)(a)(i), a county clerk may accept a signature
568removal statement submitted by mail using prepaid postage if the statement is
569postmarked on or before the effective date of this bill.
570      (b) A person may only remove an electronic signature from a referendum petition in
571accordance with this section.
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572(c) A county clerk shall analyze a holographic signature, for purposes of removing an
573electronic signature from a referendum petition, in accordance with Subsection
57420A-1-1003(3).
575Section 9. Section 20A-7-512 is amended to read:
57620A-7-512 . Misconduct of electors and officers -- Penalty.
577   (1) It is unlawful for any individual to:
578(a) sign any name other than the individual's own name to an initiative petition or a
579statement described in Subsection 20A-7-105(8) or 20A-7-515(4);
580(b) knowingly sign the individual's name more than once for the same initiative at one
581election;
582(c) knowingly indicate that an individual who signed an initiative petition signed the
583initiative petition on a date other than the date that the individual signed the initiative
584petition;
585(d) sign an initiative petition knowing the individual is not a legal voter; or
586(e) knowingly and willfully violate any provision of this part.
587   (2) It is unlawful for an individual to sign the verification for an initiative packet, or to
588electronically sign the verification for a signature under Subsection 20A-21-201(10),
589knowing that:
590(a) the signature date associated with the individual's signature for the initiative petition
591is not the date that the individual signed the initiative petition;
592(b) the individual has not witnessed the signatures of the individuals whose signatures
593the individual collects or submits; or
594(c) one or more individuals who signed the initiative petition are not registered to vote in
595Utah.
596   (3) It is unlawful for an individual to:
597(a) pay an individual to sign an initiative petition;
598[(b) pay an individual to remove the individual's signature from an initiative petition;]
599(b) pay an individual, or provide or offer to provide money, prepaid postage, or any
600other direct financial benefit to an individual, to remove the individual's signature
601from an initiative petition;
602(c) accept payment to sign an initiative petition;
603(d) accept payment to have the individual's name removed from an initiative petition;[ or]
604(e) make a misrepresentation that is likely to deceive, or misrepresent that the individual
605is affiliated with or acting on behalf of a governmental entity, while the individual
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606gathers or attempts to gather:
607(i) a signature for an initiative petition; or
608(ii) a statement described in Section 20A-1-1003 requesting removal of a signature
609from an initiative petition; or
610      [(e)] (f) on behalf of a voter described in Section 20A-7-106, place the initials "AV" or
611enter any information on a signature sheet or statement described in Section
61220A-7-106, if the individual:
613(i) does not obtain the voluntary direction or consent of the voter;
614(ii) believes or has reason to believe that the voter lacks the mental capacity to give
615the voter's direction or consent;
616(iii) believes or has reason to believe that the voter does not understand the purpose
617or nature of the action taken by the individual on behalf of the voter;
618(iv) intentionally or knowingly deceives the voter into providing the direction or
619consent of the voter; or
620(v) intentionally or knowingly enters false information on the signature sheet or
621statement.
622  (4) A violation of this section is a class A misdemeanor.
623Section 10. Section 20A-7-515 is amended to read:
62420A-7-515 . Electronic initiative process -- Obtaining signatures -- Request to
625  remove signature.
626  (1) This section applies to the electronic initiative process.
627  (2) A Utah voter may sign a local initiative petition if the voter is a legal voter and resides
628      in the local jurisdiction.
629  (3) The sponsors shall ensure that the signature-gatherer who collects a signature from an
630      individual:
631      (a) verifies that the individual is at least 18 years old and meets the residency
632requirements of Section 20A-2-105; and
633      (b) is informed that each signer is required to read and understand the law proposed by
634the initiative.
635  (4)(a) A voter who signs an initiative petition may have the voter's signature removed
636      from the initiative petition by, in accordance with Section 20A-1-1003, submitting to
637      the county clerk a statement requesting that the voter's signature be removed before 5
638      p.m. no later than the earlier of:
639(i) the first business day that is at least 30 calendar days after the day on which the
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 H.B. 242  Enrolled Copy
640voter signs the signature removal statement;
641(ii) the first business day that is at least 90 calendar days after the day on which the
642local clerk posts the voter's name under Subsection 20A-7-516(4);
643(iii) the first business day that is at least 316 calendar days after the day on which the
644initiative application is filed; or
645(iv)(A) for a county initiative, April 15 immediately before the next regular
646general election immediately after the initiative application is filed under
647Section 20A-7-502; or
648(B) for a municipal initiative, April 15 immediately before the next municipal
649general election immediately after the initiative application is filed under
650Section 20A-7-502.
651(b)(i) A voter may not submit a signature removal statement described in Subsection
652(4)(a) by mail using prepaid postage, email, or other electronic means[, unless the
653lieutenant governor establishes a signature removal process that is consistent with
654the requirements of this section and Section 20A-21-201].
655(ii) Notwithstanding Subsection (4)(b)(i), a county clerk may accept a signature
656removal statement submitted by mail using prepaid postage if the statement is
657postmarked on or before the effective date of this bill.
658(c) A person may only remove an electronic signature from an initiative petition in
659accordance with this section.
660(d) A county clerk shall analyze a holographic signature, for purposes of removing an
661electronic signature from an initiative petition, in accordance with Subsection
66220A-1-1003(3).
663Section 11. Section 20A-7-612 is amended to read:
66420A-7-612 . Misconduct of electors and officers -- Penalty.
665   (1) It is unlawful for an individual to:
666(a) sign a name other than the individual's own name to any referendum petition;
667(b) knowingly sign the individual's name more than once for the same referendum at one
668election;
669(c) knowingly indicate that an individual who signed a referendum petition signed the
670referendum petition on a date other than the date that the individual signed the
671referendum petition;
672(d) sign a referendum petition knowing that the individual is not a legal voter;
673(e) in connection with circulating a referendum petition, represent that a document is an
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674official government document if the individual knows or has reason to know that the
675document is not an official government document; or
676      (f) knowingly and willfully violate any provision of this part.
677  (2) It is unlawful for an individual to sign the verification for a referendum packet, or to
678      electronically sign the verification for a signature under Subsection 20A-21-201(10),
679      knowing that:
680      (a) the signature date associated with the individual's signature for the referendum
681petition is not the date that the individual signed the referendum petition;
682      (b) the individual has not witnessed the signatures the individual collects or submits; or
683      (c) one or more individuals whose signatures appear in the referendum packet is not
684registered to vote in Utah.
685  (3) It is unlawful for an individual to:
686      (a) pay an individual to sign a referendum petition;
687      [(b) pay an individual to remove the individual's signature from a referendum petition;]
688      (b) pay an individual, or provide or offer to provide money, prepaid postage, or any
689other direct financial benefit to an individual, to remove the individual's signature
690from a referendum petition;
691      (c) accept payment to sign a referendum petition;
692      (d) accept payment to have the individual's name removed from a referendum petition;[
693or]
694      (e) make a misrepresentation that is likely to deceive, or misrepresent that the individual
695is affiliated with or acting on behalf of a governmental entity, while the individual
696gathers or attempts to gather:
697(i) a signature for a referendum petition; or
698(ii) a statement described in Section 20A-1-1003 requesting removal of a signature
699from a referendum petition; or
700      [(e)] (f) on behalf of a voter described in Section 20A-7-106, place the initials "AV" or
701enter any information on a signature sheet or statement described in Section
70220A-7-106, if the individual:
703(i) does not obtain the voluntary direction or consent of the voter;
704(ii) believes or has reason to believe that the voter lacks the mental capacity to give
705the voter's direction or consent;
706(iii) believes or has reason to believe that the voter does not understand the purpose
707or nature of the action taken by the individual on behalf of the voter;
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708(iv) intentionally or knowingly deceives the voter into providing the direction or
709consent of the voter; or
710(v) intentionally or knowingly enters false information on the signature sheet or
711statement.
712   (4) A violation of this section is a class A misdemeanor.
713   (5) The county attorney or municipal attorney shall prosecute any violation of this section.
714Section 12. Section 20A-7-615 is amended to read:
71520A-7-615 . Electronic referendum process -- Obtaining signatures -- Request to
716   remove signature.
717   (1) This section applies to the electronic referendum process described in Section
71820A-21-201.
719   (2) A Utah voter may sign a local referendum petition if the voter is a legal voter and
720resides in the local jurisdiction.
721   (3) The sponsors shall ensure that the signature-gatherer who collects a signature from an
722individual:
723(a) verifies that the individual is at least 18 years old and meets the residency
724requirements of Section 20A-2-105; and
725(b) is informed that each signer is required to read and understand the law that is the
726subject of the referendum petition.
727   (4)(a) A voter who signs a referendum petition may have the voter's signature removed
728from the referendum petition by, in accordance with Section 20A-1-1003, submitting
729to the county clerk a statement requesting that the voter's signature be removed
730before 5 p.m. no later than the earlier of:
731(i) the first business day that is at least 30 calendar days after the day on which the
732voter signs the statement requesting removal; or
733(ii) the first business day that is at least 45 calendar days after the day on which the
734local clerk posts the voter's name under Subsection 20A-7-616(3).
735(b)(i) A voter may not submit a signature removal statement described in Subsection
736(4)(a) by mail using prepaid postage, email, or other electronic means[, unless the
737lieutenant governor establishes a signature removal process that is consistent with
738the requirements of this section and Section 20A-21-201].
739(ii) Notwithstanding Subsection (4)(b)(i), a county clerk may accept a signature
740removal statement submitted by mail using prepaid postage if the statement is
741postmarked on or before the effective date of this bill.
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742      (c) A person may only remove an electronic signature from a referendum petition in
743accordance with this section.
744      (d) A county clerk shall analyze a holographic signature, for purposes of removing an
745electronic signature from a referendum petition, in accordance with Subsection
74620A-1-1003(3).
747Section 13. Effective Date.
748  This bill takes effect:
749  (1) except as provided in Subsection (2), May 6, 2026; or
750  (2) if approved by two-thirds of all members elected to each house:
751      (a) upon approval by the governor;
752      (b) without the governor's signature, the day following the constitutional time limit of
753Utah Constitution, Article VII, Section 8; or
754      (c) in the case of a veto, the date of veto override.
755Section 14. Coordinating H.B. 242 with H.B. 32.
756  If H.B. 242, Initiative and Referendum Signature Gathering and Removal Amendments,
757  and H.B. 32, Signature Gathering and Verification Amendments, both pass and become law,
758  the Legislature intends that, on May 6, 2026, Subsection 20A-7-105(7)(c), enacted in H.B. 32,
759  be renumbered to Subsection 20A-7-105(7)(a)(iii) and be amended to read:
760  "(iii) except as provided in Subsection (7)(b), if the date of signature is later than the
761  applicable deadline described in Subsection (5)(a).".
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