Constitutional Amendment B — Proposal to Amend Utah Constitution - Statewide Initiatives
Utah publishes no "a YES vote means" statements; yes_means/no_means null. Impartial analysis in explanatory_statement.
rebuttal_pro = "Rebuttal to Argument in Favor" (opponents); rebuttal_con = "Rebuttal to Argument Against" (proponents).
Shall the Utah Constitution be amended to require that citizen-proposed laws that increase taxes compared to existing law be approved by at least 60% of voters, instead of a simple majority?
Not published by the state
Not published by the state
Current Constitutional Provision The Utah Constitution allows voters to propose and pass a state law through a statewide initiative. Statewide initiatives are voted on by the people, and most are approved if a majority (more than half) of voters approve the measure; however, statewide initiatives related to the taking of wildlife require approval by two-thirds of voters. Effect of Constitutional Amendment B Constitutional Amendment B would increase the voter approval required for statewide initiatives that increase taxes compared to existing law. Statewide initiatives voted on after November 1, 2026, would require approval by at least 60% of voters if the statewide initiative: Creates a new tax; Expands an existing tax to cover additional items or transactions; Increases an existing tax rate; or Changes a property tax rate in a way that results in a smaller decrease in the property tax rate than would occur under existing law. Constitutional Amendment B would not change the vote required to approve any other type of statewide initiative.
Enactment of Constitutional Amendment B likely would not materially impact current state revenues or expenditures.
Amendment B asks: How easy should it be for your neighbor to raise your taxes? Amendment B would require only statewide ballot initiatives that create new taxes, increase existing taxes or expand existing taxes to receive at least 60% voter approval before becoming law. Why Amendment B Matters Taxes affect every Utahn, shaping family budgets, retirement income, businesses, housing costs, the cost of living, and the state’s economy. Because tax increases affect all Utahns, they should be adopted only if there is substantial support from the voters who ultimately pay them. Amendment B requires stronger voter agreement before new taxes are approved. What Amendment B Does Requires statewide tax-increasing ballot initiatives to receive at least 60% voter approval before becoming law. Preserves Utah’s citizen initiative process and voters’ ability to propose measures on the ballot. Keeps the decision in the hands of Utah voters. Accountability and Tax Policy The Utah Constitution will still protect the right to propose initiatives, place measures on the ballot and vote directly on public policy questions. Initiatives that increase taxes, however, deserve extra consideration because they directly affect every Utah taxpayer. Amendment B would ensure broad community support for potential tax increases. If elected officials vote to raise taxes, voters know and can hold them accountable at the ballot box. Taxes imposed by elected bodies can be reversed by new legislators at any time, but statewide initiatives operate differently. They are drafted only by proponents of the increase, there is no public input in the details, and cannot be revised or adjusted once passed, other than by another costly initiative. Tax increases have long-term consequences for family budgets and the economy, and should require broader public support before becoming law. A Higher Bar for Higher Taxes The higher approval threshold is a meaningful and achievable standard. Utah voters have supported funding measures when they believed the benefits justified the costs, and many have received well over 60% of the vote. Amendment B does not prevent initiatives with new taxes or tax increases from succeeding. It simply requires proponents to persuade a broader share of voters that a proposed tax increase is necessary and beneficial before asking taxpayers to pay more from their family budgets. Protecting Utah’s Decision-Making Amendment B ensures major tax changes demonstrate broad support among Utah voters. Requiring a 60% vote encourages proponents to build support across communities, regions and political viewpoints before a tax increase becomes law. The Choice Belongs to Utah Voters Any proposal that will take more money from Utah families, workers and businesses should have widespread agreement from the people who will pay for it. Amendment B provides that safeguard by requiring statewide tax-related ballot initiatives earn 60% voter approval before becoming law. The amendment does not prevent voters from approving tax hikes they support. It simply ensures proposals affecting taxpayers statewide have broad backing before they take effect. A vote FOR on Amendment B means higher standards for higher taxes.
Sen. Lincoln Fillmore Rep. Jason Kyle
Senator Luz Escamilla & Representative Angela Romero
Vote NO on SJR 2. SJR 2 is an attack on ballot initiatives and our constitutional ability to govern ourselves. Utahns deserve the same rules that apply to their elected officials. The Utah Constitution protects the people’s power to reform their government and make laws directly through the initiative process. SJR 2 would make that process harder by requiring 60% voter approval for certain citizen initiatives, setting a precedent that could eventually change the entire initiative process. The Legislature can often pass similar measures with a simple majority; voters should be held to the same standard. Utah's initiative process exists so that citizens can act when they believe the government has failed to do so. We should not make that constitutional right harder to use. Do not be fooled, this is a power grab. Vote NO on SJR 2.
Senator Luz Escamilla & Representative Angela Romero
Sen. Lincoln Fillmore Rep. Jason Kyle
Both columns use the same layout. Text is quoted from the official state guide. Views expressed belong to the argument authors.