Committee Basics
When news media attend a Senate standing-committee meeting, where may they not enter without the chair’s permission?
Behind the dais.
True or false: Legislative interns and aids may present legislation.
False.
How many times may a standing committee reconsider its action on a bill?
Once.
If a substitute motion is made but not adopted, what happens to the underlying original motion?
The original motion is revived.
What restrictions apply to virtual backgrounds for members of the public participating in a committee via video conference?
They may not use a virtual background that is not simple and free from distracting visuals. (HR3‑3‑101; HR3‑3‑102; SR3‑4‑101; SR3‑4‑102)
What actions may a chair take to preserve order and decorum?
Prohibit items/activities, clear the room, recess without motion, or request assistance from sergeant-at-arms or Highway Patrol.
Which chamber's rules specifically allow that a motion to amend can be made during the presentation phase, provided certain requirements are met.
The Senate.
What general rule applies to repeating a defeated motion in committee?
A defeated motion may not be made again until other committee business has been considered; some motions (e.g., certain postponement or return‑to‑Rules motions) cannot be repeated in the same meeting. (HR3‑2‑511; SR3‑2‑510)
True or false: A chair must allow committee debate before ruling on a point of order.
False. A point of order is not a motion, and the chair rules without committee debate.
What kinds of items and behaviors may a chair prohibit to preserve order and decorum?
Items like signs, glitter, laser pointers, open flames, incendiary devices, noise makers, flammable liquids, harmful substances, and behaviors such as standing, waving, yelling, clapping, loud noises, or food/drink other than water in a closed container. (HR3‑3‑101; HR3‑3‑102; SR3‑4‑101; SR3‑4‑102)
What two legislative actions is a non-member legislator forbidden from doing when attending a committee meeting?
Making a motion or voting.
In the Senate, a chair may accept a motion to amend during the presentation phase only if the chair permits these four things to occur.
Committee questions and debate, public comment, sponsor response, and allowing the mover final word.
True or false: A committee may consider substitute legislation without an approved fiscal note.
True. (HR3-2-402)
In the House, what does “reserve the right to make a motion” mean, and what are the limits on that right?
After speaking, a member may make a motion only if the chair specifically granted permission to reserve that right, and only to amend or substitute the legislation being debated. (HR3‑2‑506)
What additional information and technical requirement apply if a witness participates via video conference?
They must provide their place of residence and have their video enabled. Their video background must be simple and free from distracting visuals. [CITE] (HR3‑2‑308; SR3‑2‑308).
What must a standing committee member do on every motion placed for a vote while the member is present?
Vote on the motion. (HR3‑2‑502; SR3‑2‑502)
What Latin phrase meaning "without a day" is used to describe the final adjournment of the legislative session?
Sine Die.
What actions are required to place legislation on the consent calendar?
Unanimous vote to give a favorable recommendation; immediately after, the sponsor or designee requests consent placement; then a separate unanimous vote to place on the consent calendar. (HR3-2-405; SR3-2-405)
In the House, what must the chair do following a non-unanimous vote on a motion?
Verbally identify by name those who voted "yes" or "no" (whichever side was in the minority).
Which chamber explicitly prohibits committee motions to postpone legislation indefinitely or to a day certain?
House. These motions would impinge upon the chair's prerogative to set the agenda.
What kinds of actions typically require a constitutional two‑thirds vote in Utah’s legislative rules?
Amendments to the Utah Constitution, amendments to court rules, veto-overrides and certain motions identified in the rules require a constitutional two‑thirds vote.
In the House, what restriction applies to Senate legislation placed on the consent calendar?
It may not be a fiscal note bill as defined in JR4-4-101.
After a substitute motion is accepted, the chair must allow these parties to respond to the motion in this specific order.
Response by original motion-maker, response by chief sponsor, debate by committee members, and summation by the substitute motion-maker.