Elections committee adopts amendment and sends House Bill 24-52 forward

The Committee on Elections on an unspecified date amended and approved House Bill 24-52 and sent it forward for consideration by the full House. The committee chair introduced an amendment that clarified who may serve three-year terms and created exceptions so local officeholders — including school board and city commission members — could run for state office without being barred by a statutory prohibition against appearing on the ballot more than once.

Vice Chairman moved to report the bill favorably and Representative James seconded. The chair explained the amendment’s two purposes: clarify term service language and carve out nonconflicting local offices from the bill’s single-ballot restriction. The amendment was adopted by voice vote, after which Representative Simmons moved to table the bill until an updated fiscal note reflecting the amendment could be prepared. The ranking minority member supported the motion, citing uncertainty about county costs and taxpayers’ exposure.

Supporters of moving the bill pointed to testimony that consolidating election dates would likely lower county election costs even if ballots were longer or more polling places opened, and noted the state does not directly pay for county-run elections. Opponents of tabling said existing conferee testimony suggested potential net savings for counties and urged the committee to proceed.

The motion to table failed on a voice vote; several members — Representative Simmons, Representative Moseley (ranking minority member) and Representative Meyer — asked to have their no votes recorded. With the bill back on the floor, Vice Chairman renewed his motion to pass HB 24-52 as amended. The committee again voted by voice and the motion carried; the bill was reported favorably out of committee. Members who opposed the final motion asked that their dissent be recorded.