HJR 2: Joint Rules Resolution - Resolution Amendments - Utah

Substitute #2 → Enrolled · 3 edits · Feb 6, 2026

MINOR

The bill was finalized with minor technical corrections to the title page and a significant change to the effective date. The most important substantive change is that the resolution now takes effect immediately upon final passage rather than waiting until March 7, 2026, allowing the new rules on resolutions to apply sooner. Other changes include removing a reference to 'Other Special Clauses' and fixing formatting errors in the text.

Scope change

The scope of applicability remains the same, but the timeline for when the new rules begin applies has been accelerated from a fixed future date to immediate effect upon passage.

TIMELINE

The effective date was changed from March 7, 2026, to 'upon a successful vote for final passage,' meaning the new rules apply immediately after the bill is signed.

TECHNICAL

The line item 'Other Special Clauses' was removed from the title page, likely because the special effective date was no longer applicable.

Minor formatting and spacing errors in the header and text were corrected to align with standard legislative formatting.

Introduced → Substitute #1 · 5 edits

MODERATE

The bill was amended to update the Senate sponsor name, remove a specific 'Committee Note' and 'Other Special Clauses' section, and change the effective date from a fixed calendar date to the date of final passage. Additionally, the text for Section 2 regarding legislation requests was significantly reorganized and expanded with new subsections on sponsorship transfer, death of a sponsor, and late filing procedures.

Scope change

The scope of the bill's applicability remains focused on legislative rules for resolutions and bill requests, but the procedural rules for handling legislation requests were expanded to cover more scenarios like legislator death and late filing.

TIMELINE

The effective date was changed from May 6, 2026, to the date of a successful final vote, making the law effective immediately upon passage rather than waiting for a specific future date.

TECHNICAL

The Senate sponsor name was updated from 'LONG TITLE' to 'Lincoln Fillmore', and the 'Committee Note' and 'Other Special Clauses' sections were removed from the header.

REQUIREMENT

New rules were added to Section 2 regarding what happens if a legislator dies while sponsoring a bill, including a hierarchy for finding a new sponsor (e.g., caucus leaders) and procedures for abandoning the request if no new sponsor is found.

New provisions were added allowing incumbent legislators who are also legislator-elects to retain their draft requests, and clarifying when legislators can file requests after the annual session ends.

The structure of Section 2 was reorganized to clarify the timeline for filing requests, designating chief sponsors, and handling modifications to drafting instructions.

Substitute #1 → Substitute #2 · 5 edits

MODERATE

This bill updates the rules for drafting and introducing legislation in Utah. It clarifies that legislators must use a formal 'citation' instead of a 'resolution' to honor individuals or events. It also adds specific procedures for what happens when a legislator dies or resigns, ensuring their pending bills are either taken over by a new sponsor or officially abandoned. Finally, it defines how certain non-binding joint resolutions convert into simpler resolutions if they are not signed by the governor.

Scope change

The bill applies to all legislators in the Utah House and Senate regarding the introduction of bills, the honoring of individuals, and the handling of resolutions.

REQUIREMENT

Changed the method for honoring individuals or events from using a 'resolution' to obtaining a formal 'citation'.

DEFINITION

Added clear definitions for 'binding' and 'nonbinding' resolutions to prevent confusion about their legal effect.

TIMELINE

Established specific rules for when a legislator who dies or resigns must transfer their pending bills to a new sponsor or abandon them.

ENFORCEMENT

Prohibits rules committees from referring resolutions that violate the new rule against using resolutions for honoring individuals.

TECHNICAL

Updated rules on how non-binding joint resolutions are converted into standard resolutions if they fail to pass both chambers.

Joint Rules Resolution - Resolution Amendments

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