1. The Nuts and Bolts of the Process, Session, and how to track it all.
Legislative Process 101
The Nuts and Bolts of the Process, Session, and how to track it all.

2. State of Utah Government
Executive Branch
Governor oversees the Executive Branch, is the CEO of the State.
Proposes budgets
Signs or vetoes bills
Has line item veto power on appropriations (44 states)
Legislative Branch
Senate
29 members that serve 4 year terms
House
75 members that serve 2 year terms
Judicial Branch
Uphold and interpret the law

3. Sources of the Law Statute
Administrative law (including local ordinances)
Case Law/Court Precedence
What is the legislative intent?

5. State of Utah Legislative process
Bicameralism (49 of 50 states)
House and Senate
Committees (by topic)
Interim (see below)
Standing (House & Senate)
Appropriations
Interim Legislative Session (the other 320 days of the year)
Committee meetings monthly
Interim study topics
Annual and miscellaneous reporting
Legislative Session
45 calendar days (short comparatively)
Approve state budget
Pass bills into law

6. The Path to Becoming Law…sort of
Standing Committee
Floor
Governor’s Signature

7. The Path to becoming law—deeper dive
Creating a Bill
Get a Sponsor
Clout (consider party and positions)
Expertise
Language
What is it going to say and how is it said
Who should be at the table when writing
Open a Bill File
Make it official (can be as early as May)
Consider Committee Bill Status
2017—535 passed bills
2016—474 passed bills
2015—528 passed bills
2014—486 passed bills
2013—524 passed bills
Standing Committee
Floor
Governor’s Signature
3 Priority Bills
Rules Committee
Caucus meetings
2nd and 3rd reading

8. Appropriations Process $$$
Budget Request filed / Base Budget and Building Blocks presented
Agency Base Budget is the guaranteed ongoing dollars.
Building blocks are the new additional dollars being asked for.
Budget Request is the “Pork on Parade.”
Sub-Appropriations Committee
Executive Appropriations Committee
Budget Bill amendments and passage
A bill carrying an appropriation within the bill itself
Caucuses