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Bill to raise candidate filing fees returned to sponsor after committee questions
Summary
Representative Stephanie Mickelson proposed RS 32292 to increase candidate filing fees and signature thresholds; the committee accepted a substitute motion to return the proposal to the sponsor for revision.
Representative Stephanie Mickelson (R.-Bonneville County) presented RS 32292 to the House State Affairs Committee as a response to what she described as “gamesmanship” in candidate filings. She told the committee filing fees had not changed since 1996 and said the draft increases fees and signature requirements to help ensure candidates demonstrate support before appearing on general-election ballots.
Mickelson said the draft provides an option to collect signatures in lieu of paying the fee and that the proposal would raise various fees, including county-level filing fees (she cited $100 for county commissioners, county clerks and treasurers). She told the committee the change is intended to deter non-serious or surrogate candidates and said she was open to friendly amendments.
Committee members questioned whether raising a fee is the best solution. Representative Crane (referred to in the transcript as Representative Crane 12) suggested returning the measure to the sponsor to allow revisions; Representative Polhonka moved to introduce the RS and Representative Crane later offered a substitute motion to return RS 32292 to the sponsor. The substitute motion to return the RS to the sponsor carried and the RS will be revised by the sponsor before returning for further consideration.
Ending
Sponsor and committee members said they intend to continue discussions and may propose amendments addressing fee amounts and signature alternatives before the RS is reintroduced.
