HR 7: House Rules Modifications - Utah

Substitute #2 → Substitute #3 · 7 edits

MODERATE

This bill adds a new rule allowing legislators to submit a two-page document with supporting information for their bills, requires legislative sponsors to sit at the presenter's table during committee meetings, and clarifies word-count rules for verbal amendments. It also modifies how motions are debated in committees and changes the process for moving legislation between calendars.

Scope change

The bill expands the scope of House Rules by adding new requirements for legislative sponsors and modifying existing procedures for committee meetings, verbal amendments, and calendar management.

REQUIREMENT

New rule HR1-10-102 allows chief sponsors to submit a two-page document containing policy objectives and impact descriptions, which must be publicly accessible but is not part of the official legislation.

New rule HR3-2-305 requires legislative sponsors to sit at the presenter's table during committee consideration of their legislation, with limited exceptions for the public comment phase.

Rule HR3-2-313 was modified to clarify the order in which committee members and legislative sponsors may speak and respond to motions before a vote.

Rules HR3-2-406 and HR4-3-301 were modified to clarify that reinstating deleted words does not count toward the 15-word limit for verbal amendments.

Rule HR4-4-301 was modified to allow legislation removed from the consent calendar due to objections to be reassigned to the third reading calendar by majority vote.

Rule HR4-6-105.5 was modified to clarify exceptions to prohibited references on the floor regarding committee discussions and material placement on desks.

DEFINITION

Rule HR3-2-405 was modified to clarify the definition of 'nonbinding resolution' by referencing an existing rule rather than providing a standalone definition.

Substitute #1 → Substitute #2 · 5 edits

MODERATE

This bill introduces a new rule allowing legislative sponsors to submit a brief, two-page document with supporting information about their bills, while simultaneously clarifying existing rules on committee debate order, the definition of nonbinding resolutions, and floor speech restrictions. The changes aim to increase transparency regarding legislative intent without altering the official text of the laws.

Scope change

The bill expands the scope of House Rules by adding a new rule (HR1-10-102) for sponsor disclosures and modifies several existing rules regarding committee procedures and floor conduct.

REQUIREMENT

Added a new requirement allowing chief sponsors to submit a portable document format (PDF) containing up to two pages of supporting information, including policy objectives and anticipated impacts, which must include a disclaimer stating it is not part of the official legislation.

Clarified the order in which speakers may respond to motions in standing committees, specifically ensuring the legislative sponsor gets to respond after the committee member who made the motion.

Modified floor rules to allow representatives to use displays, exhibits, or props during personal privilege matters if they receive immediate permission from the presiding officer.

DEFINITION

Updated the definition of 'nonbinding resolution' to align with a different rule (JR4-1-204) rather than providing a detailed internal definition within this rule.

TECHNICAL

Clarified that instructions to delete or reinstate words do not count toward the 15-word limit for verbal amendments in committee.

Amended 2/26/2026 10:02:418 → Substitute #1 · 5 edits

MODERATE

This bill updates Utah House rules to streamline committee debate procedures, clarify how nonbinding resolutions are handled, adjust word limits for verbal amendments, and modify how legislation is managed on the consent calendar.

Scope change

The bill applies to all House proceedings regarding motions, verbal amendments, and calendar assignments; it does not change the scope of applicability but refines the rules governing these processes.

REQUIREMENT

Changed the order of speakers during committee debates on motions to ensure the legislative sponsor can respond to both the original motion and any substitute motion before the final vote.

Clarified that deleting or reinstating words during a verbal amendment does not count toward the 15-word limit, only the actual new words inserted count.

Modified floor debate rules to prohibit using displays, exhibits, or props unless specific permission is granted by the presiding officer.

DEFINITION

Replaced the internal definition of 'nonbinding resolution' with a reference to an existing rule (JR4-1-204) to ensure consistency across different rule sections.

TIMELINE

Updated the consent calendar rules to allow legislation to be reassigned to the third reading calendar if six or more representatives object, and adjusted the timeline for objections to two days.

Amended Excerpts 2/26/2026 10:02:418 → Amended 2/26/2026 10:02:418 · 4 edits

MODERATE

This bill replaces a detailed, step-by-step set of House rules regarding committee motions with a single reference to an existing rulebook definition. It also clarifies how nonbinding resolutions are handled and ensures verbal amendments do not count toward word limits when reinstating deleted text. The changes streamline committee procedures and provide clearer definitions for legislative categories.

Scope change

The bill shifts the scope from specific, granular procedural instructions for committee chairs to a broader reliance on existing rule definitions (JR4-1-204) for what constitutes a 'nonbinding resolution'.

REQUIREMENT

Replaced detailed, multi-step instructions for committee chairs on how to allow responses to motions with a reference to existing rules.

Clarified that reinstating a word or words during a verbal amendment does not count toward the word limit.

Added a provision allowing legislation on the consent calendar to be reassigned to the third reading calendar under certain circumstances.

DEFINITION

Changed the definition of 'nonbinding resolution' from a long list of examples to a single reference to the definition in JR4-1-204.

Enrolled → Amended Excerpts 2/26/2026 10:02:418 · 2 edits

MINOR

The bill was amended to clarify that legislation can be moved from the consent calendar back to the third reading calendar by a majority vote initiated by the House floor, rather than solely by the presiding officer. It also updated section numbering to align with subsequent changes in the text.

Scope change

The scope of who can initiate the reassignment of legislation from the consent calendar to the third reading calendar was expanded to include the House floor via majority vote.

REQUIREMENT

Changed the authority to reassign legislation from the consent calendar to the third reading calendar from the presiding officer alone to include the House by majority vote upon motion from the floor.

TECHNICAL

Adjusted section numbering and formatting to reflect the insertion of new authority and the removal of redundant subsections.

Introduced → Enrolled · 5 edits · Mar 2, 2026

MODERATE

This bill updates Utah House rules to improve legislative transparency and committee efficiency. It introduces a new requirement for sponsors to submit brief, two-page documents explaining their bills' goals and impacts, mandates that bill sponsors sit at the committee table during reviews (with limited exceptions), and clarifies procedures for moving bills between calendars and making verbal amendments.

Scope change

The bill expands the scope of House rules by adding a new section on 'sponsor's supporting information' and modifying existing rules regarding committee presentations and calendar assignments. It applies to all legislation introduced in the House of Representatives during the 2026 session.

REQUIREMENT

Requires chief sponsors to submit a short, two-page document outlining their policy objectives and anticipated impact of their legislation to the chief clerk.

Mandates that legislative sponsors sit at the presenter's table while their bill is under consideration by a standing committee, ensuring direct accountability.

Updates the definition of 'nonbinding resolution' to align with other House rules, ensuring consistency in how informational resolutions are handled.

DEFINITION

Clarifies that reinstating deleted words during a verbal amendment does not count toward the 15-word limit, preventing technicalities from blocking amendments.

TIMELINE

Allows legislation on the consent calendar to be reassigned to the third reading calendar under specific circumstances, streamlining the passage process.

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