LEGISLATIVE GENERAL COUNSEL H.J.R. 16
6 Approved for Filing: R.H. Rees 6
6 01-19-24 2:15 PM 6
1 JOINT RESOLUTION RATIFYING AN AMENDMENT TO
2 THE UNITED STATES CONSTITUTION
3 2024 GENERAL SESSION
4 STATE OF UTAH
5 Chief Sponsor: Mark A. Wheatley
6 Senate Sponsor: Kathleen A. Riebe
7
8 LONG TITLE
9 General Description:
10 This joint resolution of the Legislature ratifies the Equal Rights Amendment to the
11 Constitution of the United States.
12 Highlighted Provisions:
13 This resolution:
14 < ratifies the Equal Rights Amendment to the Constitution of the United States.
15 Special Clauses:
16 None
17
18 Be it resolved by the Legislature of the state of Utah:
19 WHEREAS, Article IV, Section 1 of the Utah Constitution, adopted in 1895, states:
20 "The rights of citizens of the State of Utah to vote and hold office shall not be denied or
21 abridged on account of sex. Both male and female citizens of this State shall enjoy equally all
22 civil, political and religious rights and privileges.";
23 WHEREAS, in 2019 the Utah Legislature unanimously passed H.J.R. 21, Reaffirming
24 the Value of Women, which recommended "that the language and intent of the Utah
H.J.R. 16
25 Constitution provision guaranteeing equal political rights be considered for inclusion in the
26 United States Constitution and in the formation of policy and regulations.";
27 WHEREAS, the scope of the Equal Rights Amendment fits with the language and
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28 intent of the Utah Constitution provision guaranteeing equal political rights;
29 WHEREAS, Utah was an early leader in equal political rights;
30 WHEREAS, our generation today and future generations will benefit from knowing our
31 history of equal political rights;
32 WHEREAS, we have the opportunity to make a grand gesture to tout our history and
33 promote the message of reaffirming the value of women;
34 WHEREAS, the message of ratifying the Equal Rights Amendment sets forth a
35 narrative to inspire generations to come;
36 WHEREAS, Article V of the Constitution of the United States states, "The Congress,
37 whenever two thirds of both houses shall deem it necessary, shall propose amendments to this
38 Constitution, or, on the application of the legislatures of two thirds of the several states, shall
39 call a convention for proposing amendments, which, in either case, shall be valid to all intents
40 and purposes, as part of this Constitution, when ratified by the legislatures of three fourths of
41 the several states, or by conventions in three fourths thereof";
42 WHEREAS, both houses of the 92nd Congress of the United States, by a constitutional
43 majority of two-thirds, adopted a resolution proposing to amend the Constitution of the United
44 States to ensure that equality of rights under the law shall not be denied or abridged by the
45 United States or by any state on account of sex (the Equal Rights Amendment); and
46 WHEREAS, the Equal Rights Amendment provides:
47 "Section 1. Equality of rights under the law shall not be denied or abridged by the
48 United States or by any state on account of sex.
49 "Section 2. The Congress shall have the power to enforce, by appropriate legislation the
50 provisions of this article.
51 "Section 3. This amendment shall take effect two years after the date of ratification.":
52 NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED that the Legislature of the state of Utah
53 hereby ratifies the Equal Rights Amendment.
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