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SALT LAKE CITY — Utahns apparently like the idea of the Legislature being able to call itself into special session.
Voters appear headed to approve Amendment C as unofficial vote totals show it winning 63.2 percent to 36.8 percent.
Amendment A was winning by an even wider margin, up 78.6 percent to 21.4 percent, but Amendment B was failing 73 percent to 27 percent, according to unofficial returns.
Amendment C came in response to Gov. Gary Herbert refusing to call lawmakers into session to set up a special election to fill the vacancy created by the resignation of U.S. Rep. Jason Chaffetz last year. Legislators were frustrated that the governor wouldn't hold a special session to set up the process to replace the Republican congressman.
Amendment C will allow the Legislature to call itself into special session if two-thirds of the House and Senate agree that convening is necessary because of a fiscal crisis, war, natural disaster or emergency. It also allows the Legislature to hold a special session outside the Capitol if the building isn't available.
The proposal also requires the governor to reduce state spending or convene the Legislature if state expenses exceed revenue for a fiscal year.
Voters also weighed in on two other constitutional amendments.
Amendment A changes the period of time that a military person must serve out of state on federal active duty in order to qualify for a property tax exemption, allowing the exemption for someone on at least 200 days in a continuous 365-day period, rather than requiring the 200 days to occur in one calendar year.
Amendment B would have a created a tax exemption for real property, such as land and buildings, that the state or local government leases from a private owner.
Under the Utah Constitution, all tangible property is subject to being taxed, except for property it explicitly exempts, such as property owned by the state or local governments. Email: romboy@deseretnews.com Twitter: dennisromboy; DNewsPolitics
