Committee moves bill clarifying candidate name rules for filings

Senator Prichard said SB 299 responds to unintended consequences from last year’s candidate-name statute and would explicitly allow use of a middle name or maiden name and clarify how 'as known in the county' affidavits work.

Hiram Davenport of the lieutenant governor’s office told the committee the office supports SB 299 and appreciated the sponsor’s work to clarify issues that caused headaches during filing. Ricky Katz, Weber County Clerk-Auditor and chair of the Clerks’ Legislative Committee, said clerks worked with the sponsor, the bill contains the same safeguards discussed last year and he personally supports it though the clerks’ group had not taken a formal position.

Senator Vickers moved to favorably recommend the bill; the sponsor waived closing and the committee recorded the bill as passed out favorably.