House approves change to calendar process, sending most uncircled bills back to Rules for sifting

The Utah House of Representatives voted to return most bills on the House calendar to the Rules Committee for a new sifting process, a procedural change that members said will allow the chamber and committees to prioritize measures more efficiently. Representative Cohen introduced the motion to "wipe the House calendar" at the close of business and send uncircled bills back to Rules for sifting; he amended the proposal to exempt circled bills after questions from colleagues.

Supporters said the change will let the Rules Committee triage which measures should return to the floor, reducing the volume of bills members must consider day-to-day. Opponents warned that the change could limit members' opportunities to raise motions on circled measures and asked for assurances about notice and timing; Representative Barry urged the body to give sponsors one day's notice so they could prepare if sifting began.

After debate and a failed substitute to delay sifting until after the next day, the House divided the motion to separate uncircled and circled bills. The chamber voted that uncircled bills be returned to Rules at the close of business and that circled bills remain on the board. The House also approved a companion motion sending any bills favorably passing out of committee directly back to Rules for the sifting process rather than placing them immediately on the third-reading calendar.

The Speaker instructed that once sifting occurs a prioritized list of bills would be circulated so members know which measures will be read and considered. Supporters described the change as an operational reform; critics cautioned it could concentrate procedural control in Rules and limit on-floor opportunities for some sponsors. The House recessed after completing the change; the Rules Committee will begin implementing the new sifting protocol and circulate prioritized lists as needed.