Rep. Norm Thurston — Voting Record

Bill

Number

H.B. 70 First Substitute (2015GS)

Sponsor

Rep. Daw, B.

Final action

Governor Signed 3/24/2015

Outcome

Became law — signed by Gov. Gary R. Herbert

Summary

What it does

• This bill:
• defines terms;
• provides that a local government entity, a local government officer, a local government employee, or another person with authority or control over public property that posts or permits a person to post a political sign on public property shall permit any other person to post a political sign on the public property, subject to the same requirements and restrictions imposed on all other political signs posted on the public property; and
• prohibits a local government entity, a local government officer, a local government employee, or another person with authority or control over public property from imposing a requirement or restriction on the posting of a political sign on public property if the requirement or restriction is not politically neutral and content neutral.

Every vote on this bill

Bill text

POSTING POLITICAL SIGNS ON PUBLIC PROPERTY
GENERAL SESSION
STATE OF UTAH
Chief Sponsor: Brad M. Daw
Senate Sponsor: 
 Alvin B. Jackson
LONG TITLE
General Description:
This bill addresses the posting of political signs on public property.
Highlighted Provisions:
This bill:
▸ defines terms;
▸ provides that a local government entity, a local government officer, a local
government employee, or another person with authority or control over public
property that posts or permits a person to post a political sign on public property
shall permit any other person to post a political sign on the public property, subject
to the same requirements and restrictions imposed on all other political signs posted
on the public property; and
▸ prohibits a local government entity, a local government officer, a local government
employee, or another person with authority or control over public property from
imposing a requirement or restriction on the posting of a political sign on public
property if the requirement or restriction is not politically neutral and content
neutral.
Money Appropriated in this Bill:
None
Other Special Clauses:
None
Utah Code Sections Affected:
ENACTS:
20A-17-103
, Utah Code Annotated 1953
Be it enacted by the Legislature of the state of Utah:
Section 1. Section 
20A-17-103
 is enacted to read:
 20A-17-103.
Posting political signs on public property.
(1) As used in this section:
(a) "Local government entity" means:
(i) a county, municipality, or other political subdivision;
(ii) a local district, as defined in Section 
17B-1-102
;
(iii) a special service district, as defined in Section 
17D-1-102
;
(iv) a local building authority, as defined in Section 
17D-2-102
;
(v) a conservation district, as defined in Section 
17D-3-102
;
(vi) an independent entity, as defined in Section 
63E-1-102
;
(vii) a public corporation, as defined in Section 
63E-1-102
;
(viii) a public transit district, organized under Title 17B, Chapter 2a, Part 8, Public
Transit District Act;
(ix) a school district;
(x) a public school, including a charter school or other publicly funded school;
(xi) a state institution of higher education;
(xii) an entity that expends public funds; and
(xiii) each office, agency, or other division of an entity described in Subsections
(1)(a)(i) through (xii).
(b) "Political sign" means any sign or document that advocates:
(i) the election or defeat of a candidate for public office; or
(ii) the approval or defeat of a ballot proposition.
(c) "Public property" means any real property, building, or structure owned or leased by
a local government entity.
(2) A local government entity, a local government officer, a local government
employee, or another person with authority or control over public property that posts or permits
a person to post a political sign on public property:
(a) shall permit any other person to post a political sign on the public property, subject
to the same requirements and restrictions imposed on all other political signs permitted to be
posted on the public property; and
(b) may not impose a requirement or restriction on the posting of a political sign if the
requirement or restriction is not politically neutral and content neutral.
Legislative Review Note
 as of 10-30-14 2:05 PM
Office of Legislative Research and General Counsel