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House approves bill requiring first‑class counties to hold vote on separating executive and legislative functions
Summary
The Utah House passed House Bill 364 after extended debate, requiring 'first‑class' counties to hold a voter referendum on separating legislative and executive county functions and to establish a study commission to propose options. The bill passed the House 45‑24 and now moves to the Senate.
House members on Feb. 28 passed House Bill 364, a measure that would require counties classified as 'first‑class' to hold a voter referendum on whether to separate the legislative and executive functions of county government. The House clerk announced the vote as 45 yes and 24 no, and the bill was forwarded to the Senate for further consideration.
Supporters said the measure responds to the complexities of governing very large counties. The bill as discussed on the floor described a "first‑class" county threshold of roughly 700,000 residents and would require that, after a favorable vote, a statutorily defined commission study options and present two to four alternative government structures to the county for subsequent elections.
Representative Rowland, speaking for Utah County, urged colleagues to approve the measure, noting local fundraising and a modest state contribution: "They're only asking for a small contribution from the state," he said, adding that the county expected significant private fundraising.
Opponents said the bill intrudes on local control and removes decisions that should be made by county residents or county commissions. Representative Davis said the measure "takes away the right of governance of the people of a county to decide their form," arguing that changes to Salt Lake County government, in particular, should be decided locally.
Floor debate included a rejected amendment that would have established a commission before the vote; the amendment failed on a recorded procedural vote. A member moved the previous question to end debate, and Representative Waltz closed summation by addressing what he described as misinformation about the measure: "We're simply saying to them ... the people should have a right to say whether or not they want to move towards a more constitutionally based form of government," Waltz said.
The bill's sponsor and members acknowledged implementation details — including timing of elections, the makeup of the study commission and costs of holding piggybacked elections — and said the statute was drafted to present voters with options while holding other county functions constant. The House recorded the final passage and transmitted the measure to the Senate for its consideration.
The House will next await scheduling by the Senate and any potential amendments there.
