Panel: Utah's 'citizen legislature' puts heavy time demands on lawmakers and shapes constituent relations

Senator Kirk Cullimore told the Hinckley Forum that carrying legislative duties on top of other work is time intensive: "I would say I spend 20 to 30 hours a week on meetings legislative related that you're not, you're not really getting paid for at that point." He said session days frequently run 14–18 hours.

Representative Angela Romero and Senator Jennifer Plumb described pressure from constituents and the emotional toll of constituents sharing traumatic experiences. Plumb said lawmakers often hear constituents say "I am absolutely miserable with what I'm watching happening in the state and in the nation" and that public frustration can feel like a demand for immediate change. Romero noted the practical limits of a citizen legislature: "I'm a citizen legislator; I'm not a full-time legislator, and there are times when I can't read every single bill that comes before me."

Panelists urged clearer communication and sustained local engagement to bridge the perception that lawmakers "are not listening." They encouraged constituents to seek direct conversations with their legislators and emphasized that disagreement does not always equate to not being heard: "Just because we don't agree on the issue doesn't mean I don't hear you," Cullimore said.

Speakers also noted supports and constraints: some legislators have supportive employers and staff, while others rely on constituent advocacy organizations for referrals to services. The discussion underscored the practical limits of part-time public service and the need for public understanding of legislative capacity and process.