Committee clears amendment saying state election law controls, preserves local petition powers

The State and Local Government Committee adopted Amendment 2,002 to House Bill 13‑07, a measure that largely places election rules at the state level while carving out specific protections for home‑rule petition powers and candidate signature thresholds.

Senator Wallin presented the amendment, which staff said was drafted in consultation with the Secretary of State's office and the League of Cities. Sandy McMurdie, Deputy Secretary of State, told the committee the amendment "remove[s] that power for elections" from local variation when necessary but keeps a city's petition power preserved in its home‑rule charter. The amendment also added language addressing park district candidate thresholds so a city that changes its candidate filing rules can allow a park district to opt in.

Why it matters: The amendment is intended to ensure statewide uniformity of election law after the passage of a separate measure (referred to in committee as 12‑97) that prohibited approval voting and ranked‑choice voting at the statewide level, while explicitly maintaining local petition authority for home‑rule cities.

Discussion and key details: Committee members discussed why the amendment included a "notwithstanding section 40‑21‑07" clause; a drafter explained the language was meant to protect home‑rule charter powers in the event of a conflict but would likely be redundant because home‑rule authority normally supersedes conflicting state law. Committee members agreed the clause could remain to make the intent explicit.

Corey Peterson, representing the League of Cities and large municipalities, said the amendment matches the parties' intent: statewide election law with limited local petition exceptions. Peterson confirmed the language was provided after 12‑97 passed so the drafters were aware of the new statewide constraints.

Formal actions: The committee adopted Amendment 2,002 by voice/roll call, 6–0, and later voted 6–0 to give House Bill 13‑07 a due pass as amended. Senator Castaneda agreed to serve as the bill's carrier and to work with Secretary of State staff and the League on outreach and talking points.

Ending: The amendment passed unanimously in committee and the bill was recommended to pass as amended; members agreed to coordinate further with the Secretary of State and League of Cities on implementation and messaging.