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9 LONG TITLE
10 General Description:
11 This rules resolution requires public disclosure of information regarding bill requests.
12 Highlighted Provisions:
13 This rules resolution:
14 ▸ requires the public posting of the number of bill requests currently open in the name
15 of each legislator.
16 Special Clauses:
17 None
18 Legislative Rules Affected:
19 AMENDS:
20 JR4-2-101
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22 Be it resolved by the Legislature of the state of Utah:
23 Section 1. JR4-2-101 is amended to read:
24 JR4-2-101. Requests for legislation -- Contents -- Timing.
25 (1) (a) A legislator wishing to introduce a bill or resolution shall file a Request for
26 Legislation with the Office of Legislative Research and General Counsel within the time limits
27 established by this rule.
28 (b) The request for legislation shall:
29 (i) designate the chief sponsor, who is knowledgeable about and responsible for
30 providing pertinent information as the legislation is drafted;
31 (ii) designate any supporting legislators from the same house as the chief sponsor who
32 wish to cosponsor the legislation; and
33 (iii) (A) provide specific or conceptual information concerning the change or addition
34 to law or policy that the legislator intends the proposed legislation to make;
35 (B) identify the specific situation or concern that the legislator intends the legislation to
36 address; or
37 (C) identify the general subject area within which the proposed legislation is likely to
38 fall.
39 (2) (a) Any legislator may file a request for legislation beginning 60 days after the
40 Legislature adjourns its annual general session sine die.
41 (b) A legislator-elect may file a request for legislation beginning on the November 15
42 after the annual general election at which the legislator was elected.
43 (c) (i) If an incumbent legislator does not file to run for reelection or is defeated in a
44 political party convention, primary election, or general election, that legislator may not file any
45 requests for legislation as of that date.
46 (ii) The Office of Legislative Research and General Counsel shall abandon each
47 request for legislation from the legislator that is pending on that date unless, within 30 days
48 after that date, another member of the Legislature qualified to file a request for legislation
49 assumes sponsorship of the legislation.
50 (d) (i) If, for any reason, a legislator who filed a request for legislation is unavailable to
51 serve in the next annual general session, the former legislator shall seek another legislator to
52 assume sponsorship of each request for legislation filed by the legislator who is unavailable to
53 serve.
54 (ii) If the former legislator is unable to find another legislator to sponsor the legislation
55 within 30 days, the Office of Legislative Research and General Counsel shall abandon each
56 pending request for legislation from the legislator who is unavailable to serve.
57 (3) (a) Except as provided in Subsection (3)(c), a legislator may not file a Request for
58 Legislation with the Office of Legislative Research and General Counsel after noon on the 11th
59 day of the annual general session.
60 (b) Except as provided in Subsection (3)(c), by noon on the 11th day of the annual
61 general session, each legislator shall, for each Request for Legislation on file with the Office of
62 Legislative Research and General Counsel, either approve the request for numbering or
63 abandon the request.
64 (c) After the date established by this Subsection (3), a legislator may file a Request for
65 Legislation and automatically approve the legislation for numbering if:
66 (i) for House legislation, the representative makes a motion to request a bill or
67 resolution for drafting and introduction and that motion is approved by a constitutional
68 majority of the House; or
69 (ii) for Senate legislation, the senator makes a motion to request a bill or resolution for
70 drafting and introduction and that motion is approved by a constitutional majority vote of the
71 Senate.
72 (4) A legislator wishing to obtain funding for a project, program, or entity, when that
73 funding request does not require that a statute be enacted, repealed, or amended, may not file a
74 Request for Legislation but instead shall file a request for appropriation by following the
75 procedures and requirements of JR3-2-701.
76 (5) The Office of Legislative Research and General Counsel shall publicly provide, on
77 the Legislature's website, a listing of each legislator's name and the number of bill files that are
78 currently open in the name of that legislator for the current legislative session.
Legislative Review Note
Office of Legislative Research and General Counsel