H.B. 282

1

TASK FORCE ON LEGISLATIVE REFORM
2 2009 GENERAL SESSION
3 STATE OF UTAH
4 Chief Sponsor: Neil A. Hansen
5 Senate Sponsor: ____________
6
7 LONG TITLE
8 General Description:
9 This bill creates the Task Force on Legislative Reform.
10 Highlighted Provisions:
11 This bill:
12 . specifies membership, duties, and powers of the task force; and
13 . repeals the task force on November 30, 2009.
14 Monies Appropriated in this Bill:
15 None
16 Other Special Clauses:
17 This bill is repealed on November 30, 2009.
18
19 Be it enacted by the Legislature of the state of Utah:
20 Section 1. Task Force on Legislative Reform -- Creation -- Membership --
21 Quorum -- Compensation -- Staff.
22 (1) There is created the Task Force on Legislative Reform consisting of the following
23 12 members:
24 (a) four members of the Senate appointed by the president of the Senate, no more than
25 two of whom may be from the same political party; and
26 (b) eight members of the House of Representatives appointed by the speaker of the
27 House of Representatives, no more than four of whom may be from the same political party.

28 (2) (a) The president of the Senate shall designate a member of the Senate appointed
29 under Subsection (1)(a) as a cochair of the task force.
30 (b) The speaker of the House of Representatives shall designate a member of the House
31 of Representatives appointed under Subsection (1)(b) as a cochair of the task force.
32 (3) (a) A majority of the members of the task force constitutes a quorum for the
33 conduct of business.
34 (b) The action of a majority of a quorum present is considered the action of the task
35 force.
36 (4) Salaries and expenses of the members of the task force shall be paid in accordance
37 with Section 36-2-2 and Legislative Joint Rule 15.03.
38 (5) The Office of Legislative Research and General Counsel shall provide staff support
39 to the task force.
40 Section 2. Duties -- Ability to create subcommittees.
41 (1) The task force shall study:
42 (a) the effectiveness of and potential changes to:
43 (i) the appropriations process, including an evaluation of using a ways and means
44 committee;
45 (ii) the interim process;
46 (iii) campaign finance reform;
47 (iv) gift reform; and
48 (v) the length of the general session;
49 (b) the current status of constituent services and recommendations for improvement;
50 (c) the current status of legislative staff and its role in legislators' efficiency and
51 effectiveness;
52 (d) funding of the legislative branch, legislator compensation, and legislator travel
53 expenses; and
54 (e) major areas of negative impact on the public perception of legislator integrity.
55 (2) In conducting the study, the task force shall review how other states, particularly
56 other western states, address studied issues.
57 (3) The task force may create subcommittees.
58 (4) The task force may request reports and recommendations from the Legislative

59 Compensation Commission.
60 Section 3. Repeal date.
61 This bill is repealed on November 30, 2009.




Legislative Review Note
as of 1-27-09 5:09 PM

Office of Legislative Research and General Counsel