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HB 242UTAHSession 2026State BillSigned into law
Enacted

Utah regulates initiative and referendum signature removal, badge requirements, and hourly pay for gatherers

Original title: Initiative and Referendum Signature Gathering and Removal Amendments

Last action · March 7, 2026: Governor SignedSponsors: Karen Peterson and 2 others

Bill progressHistory & official text ↓
Introduced
Committee
Floor Vote
Passed
Law

Track this bill to get notified when it advances a stage. One tap to stop, anytime.

What This Bill Does

Utah law now requires paid signature removal statement gatherers to be at least 18 years old, display specific identification badges starting May 6, 2026, and be paid strictly on an hourly rate. The legislation also prohibits using petition signers' email addresses for non-petition purposes, restricts mail-in signature removal using prepaid postage, and expands criminal penalties for deceptive practices during the and process.

Why it matters

Petition circulators face new hourly compensation rules and identification requirements, while voters encounter stricter regulations and prohibitions regarding mail-in signature removal and the privacy of their contact information.

Background
  • Initiatives and referenda in Utah allow citizens to propose new laws or challenge existing legislation through formal petition signature collection processes governed by state election code. context

Who It Affects

Groups the bill's text affects, as described in the record. Being affected is not a position for or against it.

Directly affected

Utah voters

Voters face new restrictions on how they can submit signature removal statements by mail and have increased privacy protections regarding their email addresses.

Directly affected

Petition signature gatherers

Paid gatherers must wear specific identification badges, meet age requirements, and be compensated exclusively on an hourly basis.

Directly affected

County clerks

Clerks must assign unique identification numbers, handle new signature removal statement verifications, and apply the one-calendar-year error allowance when reviewing signatures.

Key Facts

You don't have to trust us. Each fact below is taken straight from the official document - click any one to see the exact passage, highlighted in the original.

Frequently Asked Questions

What requirements apply to people who collect signature removal statements for pay?
Beginning May 6, 2026, paid signature removal gatherers must be at least 18 years old, display a clearly visible laminated badge with specific required text and a unique ID number, and receive compensation calculated solely on an hourly rate.
Can I remove my signature from an initiative or referendum petition using prepaid mail?
Generally no, voters are prohibited from submitting signature removal statements by mail using prepaid postage unless the statement is postmarked on or before the effective date of the bill.
What happens if a voter writes the wrong year next to their signature on a petition?
A county clerk cannot refuse to certify a signature solely because the date contains a one-calendar-year error, as long as the adjusted date falls within the allowable circulation period.

What else do you want to know?

News Coverage

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Follow the record

Votes, people, money & the original source

Where This Stands

Current status: Signed into law.

Procedural history

57 actions
  1. Mar 7, 2026Lieutenant Governor's office for filingEnrolled
    Governor Signed
  2. Mar 7, 2026House
    House/ to Governor
  3. Mar 7, 2026House
    House/ received enrolled bill from Printing
  4. Mar 7, 2026House
    House/ enrolled bill to Printing
  5. Mar 7, 2026Clerk of the House
    Enrolled Bill Returned to House or Senate
  6. Mar 7, 2026Legislative Research and General Counsel / Enrolling
    Draft of Enrolled Bill Prepared
Show 51 earlier actions
  1. Mar 7, 2026Legislative Research and General Counsel / Enrolling
    Bill Received from House for Enrolling
  2. Mar 7, 2026House
    House/ signed by Speaker/ sent for enrolling
  3. Mar 7, 2026House
    House/ received from Senate
  4. Mar 7, 2026Senate
    Senate/ to House
  5. Mar 7, 2026Senate
    Senate/ signed by President/ returned to House
  6. Mar 7, 2026Senate
    Senate/ received from House
  7. Mar 6, 2026House
    House/ to Senate
  8. Mar 6, 2026House
    House/ concurs with Senate amendment
  9. Mar 6, 2026House
    House/ placed on Concurrence Calendar
  10. Mar 6, 2026House
    House/ received from Senate
  11. Mar 6, 2026Senate
    Senate/ to House with amendments
  12. Mar 6, 2026SenateFloor
    Senate/ passed 2nd & 3rd readings/ suspension
  13. Mar 6, 2026Senate
    Senate/ substituted
  14. Mar 6, 2026Senate
    Senate/ 2nd & 3rd readings/ suspension
  15. Mar 6, 2026Senate
    Senate/ Rules to 2nd Reading Calendar
  16. Mar 6, 2026Released
    LFA/ fiscal note publicly available for HB0242S03
  17. Mar 6, 2026Version Sponsor
    LFA/ fiscal note sent to sponsor for HB0242S03
  18. Mar 5, 2026Legislative Fiscal Agency
    LFA/ bill sent to agencies for fiscal input for HB0242S03
  19. Mar 5, 2026Legislative Fiscal Analyst
    LFA/ bill assigned to staff for fiscal analysis for HB0242S03
  20. Mar 4, 2026Released
    LFA/ fiscal note publicly available for HB0242S02
  21. Mar 4, 2026Released
    LFA/ fiscal note publicly available for HB0242S02
  22. Mar 4, 2026Senate
    Senate/ 2nd Reading Calendar to Rules
  23. Mar 4, 2026Version Sponsor
    LFA/ fiscal note sent to sponsor for HB0242S02
  24. Mar 4, 2026Legislative Fiscal Agency
    LFA/ bill sent to agencies for fiscal input for HB0242S02
  25. Mar 4, 2026Legislative Fiscal Analyst
    LFA/ bill assigned to staff for fiscal analysis for HB0242S02
  26. Mar 3, 2026Released
    LFA/ fiscal note publicly available for HB0242S01
  27. Mar 3, 2026Version Sponsor
    LFA/ fiscal note sent to sponsor for HB0242S01
  28. Feb 27, 2026Legislative Fiscal Agency
    LFA/ bill sent to agencies for fiscal input for HB0242S01
  29. Feb 27, 2026Legislative Fiscal Analyst
    LFA/ bill assigned to staff for fiscal analysis for HB0242S01
  30. Feb 26, 2026Senate
    Senate/ placed on 2nd Reading Calendar
  31. Feb 26, 2026Senate
    Senate/ committee report favorable
  32. Feb 26, 2026Senate
    Senate Comm - Favorable Recommendation
  33. Feb 20, 2026SenateCommittee
    Senate/ to standing committee
  34. Feb 5, 2026SenateIntroduced
    Senate/ 1st reading (Introduced)
  35. Feb 4, 2026Senate
    Senate/ received from House
  36. Feb 4, 2026House
    House/ to Senate
  37. Feb 4, 2026HouseFloor
    House/ passed 3rd reading
  38. Feb 4, 2026House
    House/ 3rd reading
  39. Jan 27, 2026House
    House/ 2nd reading
  40. Jan 27, 2026House
    House/ committee report favorable
  41. Jan 26, 2026House
    House Comm - Favorable Recommendation
  42. Jan 23, 2026HouseCommittee
    House/ to standing committee
  43. Jan 20, 2026HouseIntroduced
    House/ 1st reading (Introduced)
  44. Jan 20, 2026House
    House/ received fiscal note from Fiscal Analyst
  45. Jan 17, 2026Released
    LFA/ fiscal note publicly available for HB0242
  46. Jan 17, 2026Version Sponsor
    LFA/ fiscal note sent to sponsor for HB0242
  47. Jan 14, 2026House
    House/ received bill from Legislative Research
  48. Jan 13, 2026Legislative Fiscal Agency
    LFA/ bill sent to agencies for fiscal input for HB0242
  49. Jan 13, 2026Legislative Fiscal Analyst
    LFA/ bill assigned to staff for fiscal analysis for HB0242
  50. Jan 13, 2026Legislative Research and General Counsel
    Numbered Bill Publicly Distributed
  51. Jan 13, 2026Legislative Research and General Counsel
    Bill Numbered but not Distributed

Version history

Only one version on file - nothing to compare yet. As later stages (committee substitute, engrossed, enrolled) are captured, the redline appears here.

View official text →

Voting Record

Outcome not reportedSenate3/6/2026Utah LegislatureOfficial roll call ↗

Senate/ passed 2nd & 3rd readings/ suspension

Total

29

Yes
21
No
7
Present
0
Not voting
1
Abstain
0

How they voted (29)

Luz EscamillaParty not recordedno
Evan VickersParty not recordedno
Scott SandallParty not recordedyes
Ann MillnerParty not recordedyes
Kirk CullimoreParty not recordedyes
Nate BlouinParty not recordedno
Keven StrattonParty not recordedyes
Brady BrammerParty not recordedyes
Dan McCayParty not recordedyes
Derrin OwensParty not recordedyes
Kathleen RiebeParty not recordedno
Emily BussParty not recordedno
Mike McKellParty not recordedyes
Ron WintertonParty not recordedyes
Keith GroverParty not recordedyes
Todd WeilerParty not recordedyes
Jen PlumbParty not recordedabsent
John JohnsonParty not recordedyes
Karen KwanParty not recordedno
Cal MusselmanParty not recordedyes
Stuart AdamsParty not recordedyes
Heidi BalderreeParty not recordedyes
Wayne HarperParty not recordedyes
Don IpsonParty not recordedyes
5 more members
Lincoln FillmoreParty not recordedyes
Jerry StevensonParty not recordedyes
Chris WilsonParty not recordedyes
Stephanie PitcherParty not recordedno
David HinkinsParty not recordedyes
Show 4 earlier roll calls
Outcome not reportedHouse3/6/2026Utah LegislatureOfficial roll call ↗

House/ concurs with Senate amendment

Total

72

Yes
54
No
12
Present
0
Not voting
6
Abstain
0

How they voted (72)

Carl AlbrechtParty not recordedyes
Steve EliasonParty not recordedyes
Verona MaugaParty not recordedno
Stewart BarlowParty not recordedyes
Karianne LisonbeeParty not recordedyes
Logan MonsonParty not recordedyes
Rosalba DominguezParty not recordedno
Anthony LoubetParty not recordedyes
Tiara AuxierParty not recordedyes
Candice PierucciParty not recordedyes
Joseph ElisonParty not recordedyes
Bridger BolinderParty not recordedyes
Sandra HollinsParty not recordedno
Cory MaloyParty not recordedyes
Paul CutlerParty not recordedyes
Christine WatkinsParty not recordedyes
Leah HansenParty not recordedyes
Jordan TeuscherParty not recordedyes
Ray WardParty not recordedyes
Grant MillerParty not recordedno
Jill KofordParty not recordedyes
Mike KohlerParty not recordedyes
Jon HawkinsParty not recordedyes
Jim DunniganParty not recordedyes
48 more members
Norm ThurstonParty not recordedyes
Matt MacPhersonParty not recordedyes
Hoang NguyenParty not recordedno
Clint OkerlundParty not recordedabsent
Mike SchultzParty not recordedyes
Casey SniderParty not recordedabsent
Ashlee MatthewsParty not recordedno
Stephen WhyteParty not recordedyes
Walt BrooksParty not recordedyes
Scott ChewParty not recordedyes
Tom PetersonParty not recordedyes
Doug FiefiaParty not recordedyes
Neil WalterParty not recordedyes
Katy HallParty not recordedyes
Colin JackParty not recordedabsent
Lisa ShepherdParty not recordedyes
Doug WeltonParty not recordedyes
Angela RomeroParty not recordedno
Ryan WilcoxParty not recordedyes
Dave ShallenbergerParty not recordedyes
Doug OwensParty not recordedabsent
Cal RobertsParty not recordedabsent
Mike PetersenParty not recordedyes
Andrew StoddardParty not recordedno
Mark StrongParty not recordedyes
Carol MossParty not recordedyes
John ArthurParty not recordedno
Nicholeen PeckParty not recordedyes
Jason ThompsonParty not recordedyes
Ken IvoryParty not recordedyes
Jen Dailey-ProvostParty not recordedno
Tracy MillerParty not recordedyes
Cheryl ActonParty not recordedyes
Trevor LeeParty not recordedyes
Nelson AbbottParty not recordedabsent
Rex ShippParty not recordedyes
Melissa BallardParty not recordedyes
Karen PetersonParty not recordedyes
Sahara HayesParty not recordedno
Val PetersonParty not recordedyes
Jake FitisemanuParty not recordedno
Jason KyleParty not recordedyes
Troy ShelleyParty not recordedyes
Ariel DefayParty not recordedyes
Kay ChristoffersonParty not recordedyes
Jake SawyerParty not recordedyes
Kristen ChevrierParty not recordedyes
Stephanie GriciusParty not recordedyes
Outcome not reportedSenate2/26/2026Utah LegislatureOfficial roll call ↗

Senate Comm - Favorable Recommendation

Total

9

Yes
5
No
0
Present
0
Not voting
4
Abstain
0
Motion succeededHouse2/4/2026Utah LegislatureOfficial roll call ↗

House/ passed 3rd reading

Total

75

Yes
68
No
0
Present
0
Not voting
7
Abstain
0

How they voted (72)

Doug OwensParty not recordedyes
Nelson AbbottParty not recordedyes
Scott ChewParty not recordedyes
Doug WeltonParty not recordedyes
Jason ThompsonParty not recordedyes
Mark StrongParty not recordedyes
Sahara HayesParty not recordedyes
Kristen ChevrierParty not recordedyes
Verona MaugaParty not recordedyes
Bridger BolinderParty not recordedyes
Jim DunniganParty not recordedyes
John ArthurParty not recordedyes
Mike KohlerParty not recordedyes
Norm ThurstonParty not recordedyes
Stephanie GriciusParty not recordedyes
Carl AlbrechtParty not recordedyes
Troy ShelleyParty not recordedyes
Matt MacPhersonParty not recordedyes
Neil WalterParty not recordedyes
Mike SchultzParty not recordedabsent
Trevor LeeParty not recordedyes
Ashlee MatthewsParty not recordedabsent
Leah HansenParty not recordedyes
Karen PetersonParty not recordedyes
48 more members
Stewart BarlowParty not recordedyes
Val PetersonParty not recordedyes
Steve EliasonParty not recordedyes
Kay ChristoffersonParty not recordedyes
Rex ShippParty not recordedyes
Jon HawkinsParty not recordedabsent
Sandra HollinsParty not recordedyes
Grant MillerParty not recordedyes
Melissa BallardParty not recordedyes
Ryan WilcoxParty not recordedyes
Colin JackParty not recordedyes
Cheryl ActonParty not recordedyes
Anthony LoubetParty not recordedyes
Lisa ShepherdParty not recordedyes
Andrew StoddardParty not recordedabsent
Hoang NguyenParty not recordedyes
Joseph ElisonParty not recordedyes
Dave ShallenbergerParty not recordedyes
Doug FiefiaParty not recordedyes
Clint OkerlundParty not recordedyes
Jen Dailey-ProvostParty not recordedyes
Tiara AuxierParty not recordedyes
Angela RomeroParty not recordedabsent
Jordan TeuscherParty not recordedyes
Jason KyleParty not recordedyes
Ariel DefayParty not recordedyes
Cal RobertsParty not recordedabsent
Mike PetersenParty not recordedyes
Jill KofordParty not recordedyes
Katy HallParty not recordedyes
Tracy MillerParty not recordedyes
Cory MaloyParty not recordedyes
Tom PetersonParty not recordedyes
Rosalba DominguezParty not recordedyes
Karianne LisonbeeParty not recordedabsent
Carol MossParty not recordedyes
Casey SniderParty not recordedyes
Jake FitisemanuParty not recordedyes
Nicholeen PeckParty not recordedyes
Stephen WhyteParty not recordedyes
Candice PierucciParty not recordedyes
Ken IvoryParty not recordedyes
Christine WatkinsParty not recordedyes
Walt BrooksParty not recordedyes
Jake SawyerParty not recordedyes
Logan MonsonParty not recordedyes
Paul CutlerParty not recordedyes
Ray WardParty not recordedyes
Motion succeededHouse1/26/2026Utah LegislatureOfficial roll call ↗

House Comm - Favorable Recommendation

Total

12

Yes
11
No
0
Present
0
Not voting
1
Abstain
0
Full roll-call analysis →

Lobbying Activity

No state lobbying filings in our records match this bill. Federal lobbying reports (LDA) cover Congress, so they are not listed on state bills.

Full breakdown

Who this bill affects and the strongest case for and against it, written only from the bill’s own text.

Sponsors

Karen PetersonHouse · District 13RepublicanPrimary sponsor
Brady BrammerSenate · District 21RepublicanCosponsor
Cal MusselmanSenate · District 4RepublicanCosponsor

Discoveries

1 pattern noticed across the record

Patterns POLISCOPE noticed across the record. These are observations to investigate, not conclusions.

policy shift95% confidence

Stricter Oversight of Paid Signature Removal Operations

The legislation introduces mandatory identification badges, age limits, and shifts paid signature removal gatherers to hourly compensation structures while restricting mail-in removals.

Karen M. PetersonCalvin R. Musselman

Connected Entities

Calvin R. Musselman, Lieutenant Governor, Karen M. Peterson and 1 more
PersonCalvin R. Musselman“Senate Sponsor of HB 242”Map →
OrganizationLieutenant Governor“Assigns unique identification numbers for statewide initiative or referendum sig”Map →
PersonKaren M. Peterson“Chief Sponsor of HB 242”Map →
PersonBrady Brammer“Cosponsor of HB 242”Map →

Sources

Open source document

le.utah.gov

Analysis Score

0–100
  • Significance75
    How much this matters to a regular citizen
  • Controversy50
    Intensity of disagreement among stakeholders
  • Entertainment5
    Compellingness for a non-policy-wonk reader
  • Buzz35
    Current news / social attention level

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