1. (1) If, at the time during the counting period described in Section 20A-7-307, the lieutenant governor determines that, at that point in time, an adequate number of signatures are certified to comply with the signature requirements, the lieutenant governor shall:

   1. (a) issue an order temporarily staying the law from going into effect; and
   2. (b) continue the process of certifying signatures and removing signatures as required by this part.

2. (2) The temporary stay described in Subsection (1) remains in effect, regardless of whether a future count falls below the signature threshold, until:

   1. (a) if the lieutenant governor declares the referendum petition insufficient, five calendar days after the day on which the lieutenant governor declares the referendum petition insufficient; or
   2. (b) if the lieutenant governor declares the referendum petition sufficient, the day on which governor issues the proclamation described in Section 20A-7-310.

3. (3) A law submitted to the people by referendum that is approved by the voters at an election takes effect the later of:

   1. (a) five calendar days after the date of the official proclamation of the vote by the governor; or
   2. (b) the effective date specified in the approved law.

4. (4) If, after the lieutenant governor issues a temporary stay order under Subsection (1)(a), the lieutenant governor declares the referendum petition insufficient, the law that is the subject of the referendum petition takes effect the later of:

   1. (a) five calendar days after the day on which the lieutenant governor declares the referendum petition insufficient; or
   2. (b) the effective date specified in the law that is the subject of the referendum petition.

5. (5)

   1. (a) The governor may not veto a law approved by the people.
   2. (b) The Legislature may amend any laws approved by the people at any legislative session after the people approve the law.
6. (6) If the Legislature repeals a law challenged by referendum petition under this part, the referendum petition is void and no further action on the referendum petition is required.

Amended by Chapter 448, 2025 General Session