03-03-2025
Hill Highlights: Utah lawmakers seek fix after voided amendment question
There's one more week left in Utah's legislative session and lawmakers don't want a repeat of last year's constitutional amendment snafu.
State of play: HB 563, sponsored by House Speaker Mike Schultz, would make legislative attorneys responsible for drafting proposed constitutional amendments that legislators plan to submit to voters.
Currently, the senate president and the house speaker oversee those duties.
Yes, but: Under the bill, the attorneys would perform the tasks "as counsel for the presiding officers," meaning legislative leaders will get to keep some say in the language.
Catch up quick: Judge Dianne Gibson voided Constitutional Amendment D last September, which sought to allow lawmakers to alter or repeal voter-led initiatives, ruling the ballot language written by the legislature contained "glaring" omissions.
"While the legislature has every right to request the amendment," she wrote, "it has the duty and obligation to accurately communicate the 'subject matter' of the proposed amendment to voters."
What we're watching: SB 336, sponsored by Sen. Scott Sandall (R-Tremonton), would open the door for building more sports venues in the Fairpark Area Investment and Restoration District, the site of a planned MLB stadium, per Building Salt Lake.
The new proposal has been assigned to the Senate Economic Development and Workforce Services Committee.
💬 Hill Highlights is a weekly feature to recap what's going on during Utah's legislative session.
