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Minutes for HB2256 - Committee on Ethics, Elections and Local Government

Short Title

Election offenses; electioneering crime changes.

Minutes Content for Wed, Jan 31, 2018

Chairperson Bowers opened the hearing on HB2256.  Chairperson Bowers stated this bill had been sent out of Committee last year but was referred back to the Committee at the end of session to keep the bill alive.  Mike Heim, staff revisor, presented a briefing on the bill.  After questions by the Committee were addressed, the hearing continued.

Representative Esau testified in support of HB2256 indicating he drafted the original bill with a 100-foot distance rule; however, the House Elections Committee amended it to 250 feet.  Representative Esau indicated the biggest issue the bill addressed was the interference that happened at polling places a couple of years ago.  Representative Esau stated he wanted to make sure signatures being gathered were done outside of the electioneering distance. (Attachment 1)

Representative Esau responded to questions from the Committee.

Bryan Caskey testified in support of HB2256.  Mr. Caskey indicated the Secretary of State's office is in favor of adding the gathering of signatures and circulating a petition to the crime of electioneering.  Mr. Caskey stated they are also in favor of changing the distance from 250 feet to 100 feet.  Mr. Caskey concluded by recommending an amendment exempting privately held property from the ban on electioneering. (Attachment 2)

After questions from the Committee were addressed, Chairperson Bowers closed the hearing on HB2256.