Utah Legislature: Signature removal bill advances in House committee

SALT LAKE CITY — Following testimony by a string of conservative activists, a House committee approved a bill Friday that revises the way residents may remove their signatures from an initiative petition.

Representatives from Utah Eagle Forum and the Sutherland Institute were among those to speak in favor of the controversial measure.

The bill's sponsor, Sen. Howard Stephenson, R-Draper, said SB275 would give Utahns an easier way to remove their signatures after signing a petition.

The current system requires a notary public in order to remove a signature, a requirement Stephenson calls "cumbersome."

House Government Operations Committee Chairman Rep. Craig Frank, R-Cedar Hills, thanked Stephenson on behalf of constituents who "erroneously" signed petitions.

Opponents object to the deadlines established by the legislation, which would allow people to remove their signatures up to several weeks after the petition is submitted and the names are made public.

The Utah Republican Party has said it will consider using that extra time to persuade signers to remove their names from several legislative ethics initiatives currently making their way through the process.

Ogden Democratic Rep. Neil Hansen said the timeline gives initiative opponents an unfair advantage and pointed out that voters would still have a chance to change their minds before voting.

"Most people sign it knowing they will be able to vote on it in the ballot box," said Hansen, who cast the sole dissenting vote.

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