Senate approves bill requiring citizen initiatives to identify funding sources; allows Lt. Gov. to coordinate fiscal review

The Utah State Senate voted to pass First Substitute Senate Bill 73, a measure that would require organizers of citizen initiatives to identify funding sources and, in the sponsor’s first substitute language, allow the lieutenant governor’s office to coordinate with the Legislative Fiscal Analyst (LFA) on fiscal review.

Sponsor Senator Fillmore said the change is intended to give voters clearer information about the budgetary consequences of initiatives. “In the legislature, we cannot pass any bill that costs more than $25,000 to implement without identifying a funding source and where it fits in the budget,” Fillmore said on the Senate floor. “This just puts the same in place for citizen initiatives.”

Supporters said the requirement would help voters understand trade-offs. Senator Owens argued the rule would produce “informed initiative[s]” and…