Utah’s legislative session begins next Tuesday, and we wanted to offer a quick refresher—or introduction—on how this fast-paced 45-day process works.
Step 1: Bill Drafting
Any legislator can propose a bill. Even before bill drafting begins, our team at Libertas is meeting with lawmakers and stakeholders to discuss the issues that matter most and help shape ideas before they’re put into legislative language. Bills are drafted with help from nonpartisan legislative attorneys and are assigned numbers (HB for House Bills, SB for Senate Bills) and made public.
Step 2: Introduction and First Reading
Bills are formally introduced in their chamber of origin and read for the first time. This step is procedural, with no debate. The bill is then sent to a committee.
Step 3: Committee Review (Where Most Bills Die)
Committees focus on specific policy areas like education, health, or transportation. Here, bills may be debated, amended, opened for public testimony, and voted up or down. If a bill doesn’t pass committee, it’s effectively done for the session.
Step 4: Floor Action
Bills that clear committee move to the full chamber for debate and multiple votes. Amendments can still be offered at this stage.
Step 5: The Other Chamber
If a bill passes its chamber of origin, the entire process repeats in the other chamber. Both chambers must agree on the final version.
Step 6: Governor’s Desk
Passed bills go to the Governor, who may sign, veto, or allow them to become law without a signature. Most laws take effect May 1.
How can you stay engaged?
At Libertas, we’ll track the activity, cut through the clutter, explain what matters, and tell you where we stand, along with how to contact your lawmakers. The key bills during the session will be outlined in our Libertas Legislation Tracker so make sure you check back during the session.
