Committee approves publishing certified petition signers; strips voter‑ID numbers after clerk concerns

Representative Kohler told the Government Operations Committee on Feb. 14 that House Bill 374 is intended to increase transparency by requiring the lieutenant governor to publish the names of people who signed certain certified petitions (including primary‑election signature filings) on the lieutenant governor's website for 90 days after certification.

Committee members questioned whether publishing a voter‑identification number alongside a signer’s name could create privacy risks or enable identification of voters who had requested protected status. Weber County Clerk Ricky Hatch urged transparency in signature‑gathering but cautioned that publishing voter‑identification numbers might allow someone with older voter lists to identify an at‑risk voter whose information should be withheld. Hatch said clerks preferred Senate Bill 164 (sponsor Rep. Cutler on the floor) as a vehicle for a broader set of audit and transparency reforms because it implements several legislative‑audit recommendations.

Representative Feffler moved to strip the words “voter identification number” from multiple lines in the bill; the amendment passed unanimously. The committee then voted to pass the bill favorably as amended. The final committee tally was recorded as 10 in favor and 2 opposed (Representatives Hayes and Romero recorded as opposed).

Marilyn Mominee and other public commenters supported transparency in signature reporting; supporters argued voters take a public act when signing a petition and that publication increases public confidence. Opponents cautioned about harassment risks when names are posted and asked for safeguards for at‑risk voters.

With the amendment removing voter‑identification numbers, Representative Kohler said he would consider further technical amendments on the floor; the bill now moves forward to the next stage with a committee recommendation.