Utah legislation · 2026 General Session
Utah HB242: Initiative and Referendum Signature Gathering and Removal Amendments
Status: Signed into law, March 7, 2026
This bill addresses petition signature gathering and removal.
What the bill says
From the enrolled text, March 7, 2026:
0 Initiative and Referendum Signature Gathering and Removal Amendments 2026 GENERAL SESSION STATE OF UTAH Chief Sponsor: Karen M. Peterson Senate Sponsor: Calvin R. Musselman LONG TITLE General Description: This bill addresses petition signature gathering and removal. Highlighted Provisions: This bill: - requires an individual who gathers a statement requesting removal of a petition signer's signature to be at least 18 years old; - beginning on May 6, 2026, requires a paid signature removal statement gatherer to: - display a badge disclosing certain information while gathering the statement; and - verify, on the statement, certain information about the individual who signs the statement; - beginning on May 6, 2026, requires a signature removal statement, if collected by a paid gatherer, to include a notice that removing the signer's signature may prevent the initiative or referendum from appearing on the ballot; - prohibits a person from paying a person to gather a signature removal statement unless the payment is based on an hourly rate; - prohibits a person from using an initiative or referendum petition signer's email address for any non-petition related purpose; - prohibits a voter from submitting a signature removal statement by mail using prepaid postage; - creates an exception to the prohibition described above if a signature removal statement submitted by mail using prepaid postage is postmarked on …
Sponsors
- Peterson, Karen M. (R, 13) · primary sponsor
- Calvin Musselman (R, 4)
Latest actions
- : Governor Signed
- : House/ to Governor
- : House/ received enrolled bill from Printing
- : House/ enrolled bill to Printing
- : Enrolled Bill Returned to House or Senate
- : Draft of Enrolled Bill Prepared
- : Bill Received from House for Enrolling
- : House/ signed by Speaker/ sent for enrolling
- : House/ received from Senate
- : Senate/ to House
Votes
- Senate/ passed 2nd & 3rd readings/ suspension (March 6, 2026): 21 yea, 7 nay, passed
- House/ concurs with Senate amendment (March 6, 2026): 57 yea, 12 nay, passed
- Senate Comm - Favorable Recommendation (February 26, 2026): 5 yea, 0 nay, passed
- House/ passed 3rd reading (February 4, 2026): 68 yea, 0 nay, passed
- House Comm - Favorable Recommendation (January 26, 2026): 11 yea, 0 nay, passed
Subjects: Government Operations (State Issues), Crimes, Referenda, Initiatives, Election Law
Common questions
- What is HB242?
- HB242 is a bill in the Utah Legislature (2026 General Session): Initiative and Referendum Signature Gathering and Removal Amendments.
- What does HB242 do?
- This bill addresses petition signature gathering and removal.
- What is the status of HB242?
- Signed into law as of March 7, 2026. Latest action: Governor Signed (March 7, 2026).
- Who sponsored HB242?
- Peterson, Karen M. (R, 13), with 1 co-sponsor.
- Where is the official record for HB242?
- On the Utah Legislature website: https://le.utah.gov/~2026/bills/static/HB0242.html
Source: official Utah record. Tracked by Delilah, AI for legislation across all 50 states and Congress.