Judge agrees to ask top court on initiative

U.S. District Judge Dee Benson agreed Monday to ask the Utah Supreme Court to clarify legal questions surrounding Initiative B.

The measure — which would amend the state's laws on handling assets seized by police — is being challenged in federal court by law enforcement agencies.

"If this is what you want to do, then I'm happy to sign it," Benson told attorneys for the agencies and for the state, who requested the high court's intervention.

Benson on Monday also refused to add Utahns for Property Protection as an intervenor to the suit. The group backed the initiative, which was overwhelmingly approved by voters, last November.