2
3
4
5
6
7
8 LONG TITLE
9 General Description:
10 This rules resolution modifies joint legislative rules regarding the introduction of
11 legislation.
12 Highlighted Provisions:
13 This resolution:
14 ▸ permits a legislator to withdraw legislation that has been numbered but not yet
15 introduced on the floor of the Senate or House of Representatives;
16 ▸ requires that the withdrawal be irrevocable and that the legislation be notated with
17 notice of the withdrawal; and
18 ▸ clarifies that withdrawal of legislation under the provision does not prevent the
19 language or subject matter of the withdrawn bill from being introduced in another
20 bill or resolution.
21 Special Clauses:
22 None
23 Legislative Rules Affected:
24 AMENDS:
25 JR4-2-101
26
27 Be it resolved by the Legislature of the state of Utah:
28 Section 1. JR4-2-101 is amended to read:
29 JR4-2-101. Requests for legislation -- Contents -- Timing -- Withdrawal of
30 numbered legislation -- Appropriations requests.
31 (1) (a) A legislator wishing to introduce a bill or resolution shall file a Request for
32 Legislation with the Office of Legislative Research and General Counsel within the time limits
33 established by this rule.
34 (b) The request for legislation shall:
35 (i) designate the chief sponsor, who is knowledgeable about and responsible for
36 providing pertinent information as the legislation is drafted;
37 (ii) designate any supporting legislators from the same house as the chief sponsor who
38 wish to cosponsor the legislation; and
39 (iii) (A) provide specific or conceptual information concerning the change or addition
40 to law or policy that the legislator intends the proposed legislation to make;
41 (B) identify the specific situation or concern that the legislator intends the legislation to
42 address; or
43 (C) identify the general subject area within which the proposed legislation is likely to
44 fall.
45 (2) (a) Any legislator may file a request for legislation beginning 60 days after the
46 Legislature adjourns its annual general session sine die.
47 (b) A legislator-elect may file a request for legislation beginning on the November 15
48 after the annual general election at which the legislator was elected.
49 (c) (i) If an incumbent legislator does not file to run for reelection or is defeated in a
50 political party convention, primary election, or general election, that legislator may not file any
51 requests for legislation as of that date.
52 (ii) The Office of Legislative Research and General Counsel shall abandon each
53 request for legislation from the legislator that is pending on that date unless, within 30 days
54 after that date, another member of the Legislature qualified to file a request for legislation
55 assumes sponsorship of the legislation.
56 (d) (i) If, for any reason, a legislator who filed a request for legislation is unavailable to
57 serve in the next annual general session, the former legislator shall seek another legislator to
58 assume sponsorship of each request for legislation filed by the legislator who is unavailable to
59 serve.
60 (ii) If the former legislator is unable to find another legislator to sponsor the legislation
61 within 30 days, the Office of Legislative Research and General Counsel shall abandon each
62 pending request for legislation from the legislator who is unavailable to serve.
63 (3) (a) Except as provided in Subsection (3)(c), a legislator may not file a Request for
64 Legislation with the Office of Legislative Research and General Counsel after noon on the 11th
65 day of the annual general session.
66 (b) Except as provided in Subsection (3)(c), by noon on the 11th day of the annual
67 general session, each legislator shall, for each Request for Legislation on file with the Office of
68 Legislative Research and General Counsel, either approve the request for numbering or
69 abandon the request.
70 (c) After the date established by this Subsection (3), a legislator may file a Request for
71 Legislation and automatically approve the legislation for numbering if:
72 (i) for House legislation, the representative makes a motion to request a bill or
73 resolution for drafting and introduction and that motion is approved by a constitutional
74 majority of the House; or
75 (ii) for Senate legislation, the senator makes a motion to request a bill or resolution for
76 drafting and introduction and that motion is approved by a constitutional majority vote of the
77 Senate.
78 (4) (a) A legislator may withdraw legislation that has been numbered before the
79 legislation is introduced. A withdrawal under this provision is irrevocable and the numbered
80 legislation may not be introduced after the withdrawal.
81 (b) Upon receiving a request for withdrawal, the Office of Legislative Research and
82 General Counsel shall make a notation on the legislation that the legislation has been
83 withdrawn by the legislator before introduction and that the legislation will not be introduced.
84 (c) Nothing in this Subsection (4) prohibits the legislator, or another legislator, from
85 introducing the same language or subject matter in a different bill or resolution.
86 [
87 that funding request does not require that a statute be enacted, repealed, or amended, may not
88 file a Request for Legislation but instead shall file a request for appropriation by following the
89 procedures and requirements of JR4-3-101.
Legislative Review Note
Office of Legislative Research and General Counsel