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Senate approves constitutional question on citizen initiatives, sparking broad debate over retroactivity and local control
Summary
The Senate passed SJR 4‑01, a proposed constitutional amendment to clarify how citizen initiatives that "alter or reform government" interact with legislative authority and to restrict foreign government influence; the measure passed after lengthy floor debate and amendments and will be sent to the House to continue the special‑session process.
The Utah Senate voted on Aug. 20 to send a constitutional question to voters that would clarify the relationship between citizen initiatives and the Legislature after a recent Utah Supreme Court decision.
Sponsor Sen. Cullimore framed SJR 4‑01 as a means to "clarify and codify" the practical effect of the court ruling and to preserve the dual path of lawmaking by the people and by elected representatives. The proposal would ask voters to define whether initiatives that "alter or reform government" receive heightened protection from legislative change, and it would be accompanied by contingent statutory language that, among other things,…
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