Utah Bill Tracking And State Guide
Everything you need to know to engage with the Senate and House
How does a bill become law in Utah?
- An Idea Is Developed: A legislator gathers ideas for a bill from constituents, government agencies, special interest groups, lobbyists, the Governor, and their own insights.
- The Bill is Drafted: The idea is formed into a bill request submitted to the Office of Legislative Research and General Counsel. A bill drafting attorney reviews the law, researches issues, and prepares the bill. The bill receives a number, and a fiscal review is conducted.
- The Bill is Introduced: The bill is officially introduced into the Legislature and referred to the Rules Committee.
- The Bill Receives Standing Committee Review and Public Input: The Rules Committee assigns the bill to a standing committee, which reviews the bill in an open meeting and receives public testimony to decide on amendments or recommendations.
- The Bill Is Returned to the Floor: The bill is sent back to the full house with a committee report detailing the standing committee's decision on the bill.
- The Bill is Debated in Open Session: The full house debates the bill, and it can be amended or substituted. A minimum of 38 votes in the House and 15 in the Senate are needed for the bill to pass.
- The Bill Passes Both Houses in the Legislature: If approved, the bill is signed by both the Senate President and the Speaker of the House.
- The Bill is Prepared for the Governor's Action: The Office of Legislative Research and General Counsel prepares the final version of the bill, known as the "enrolled" bill.
- The Bill Receives the Governor's Action: The enrolled bill is sent to the Governor, who can sign, veto, or allow it to become law without a signature.
- The Bill Becomes Effective: The enacted bill becomes effective 60 days after the legislative session ends, unless a different date is specified.
How can a member of the public get involved in the legislative process in Utah?
A member of the public can get involved in the legislative process in Utah by providing ideas or suggestions to their legislators. Here are some ways they can participate:
1. Contact Legislators: Constituents can reach out to their local legislators to propose ideas for bills or share concerns about specific issues. This can be done through emails, letters, phone calls, or in-person meetings.
2. Attend Committee Hearings: Public participation is encouraged during the standing committee review of bills. Members of the public can attend these open meetings, where they can provide testimony or input on the proposed legislation.
3. Provide Testimony: During the committee hearings, individuals can present their opinions, concerns, or support for a bill. This is a direct way to influence the legislative process and show the committee how the bill may impact the community.
4. Follow Legislative Sessions: Keeping track of bills as they are introduced, debated, and moved through the legislative process can help members of the public stay informed and engaged. They can voice their opinions during the bill’s consideration.
5. Engage with Special Interest Groups: Joining or collaborating with advocacy organizations, interest groups, or lobbyists that align with their views can amplify their voices and influence lawmakers.
How can FastDemocracy help me with that?
Tracking bills is hard, especially if you rely on state legislature websites, which are often hard to navigate. Thousands of bills get filed in Utah every year (and about 180,000 bills nationwide). If you want to be an effective advocate, you need to know where legislation of interest stands, and act quickly.
FastDemocracy's free version allows you to track an unlimited number of bills - no strings attached. We'll send you a daily or weekly email on your priority bills and give you tools to research bills and legislators.
FastDemocracy Professional is for anyone who tracks bills in a professional capacity. It features
- real-time bill, amendment and hearing alerts
- automated reporting
- team collaboration
- bill tagging for clients and stakeholders
- bill similarity detection
- ...and much more
How do I track bills in Utah?
1. Sign up here for a free FastDemocracy account.
2. Head to Tracked Topics to select issue areas you care about.
3. Use the search bar on top if you're looking for something specific.
4. Click "Track Bill" for any legislation you'd like to monitor a bit closer. That's how you add it to your Tracked Bills. You can also click on a bill to learn more, see the bill summary, most recent actions, votes, news and tweets. You can also contact legislators or share your bills on social media.
5. You can track an unlimited number of bills for free and we'll send you a daily or weekly email if your tracked legislation moves.
6. Do you need real-time alerts, outreach tools, bill lists, and professional functions? Then FastDemocracy Professional is the right fit for you.
7. Track bills on your smartphone using our free mobile app.
How do I find my local Utah Senator and Representative?
You can use the Find Your Legislators tool to find them, see their voting records, and contact them.
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Most tracked bills in Utah, 2025 General Session
Digital Wellness, Citizenship, and Safe Technology Commission - In Process
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Proposal to Amend Utah Constitution - Statewide Initiatives - In Process
Sex, Kidnap, and Child Abuse Offender Registry Modifications - In Process
All Legislators in Utah (Senator and Representative)