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House advances bill to make 'Utah, This Is the Place' state song; current song to become state hymn
Summary
The House forwarded House Bill 223 to the Senate after debate and a short performance by schoolchildren; sponsor Dana Love said the change recognizes a contemporary, widely sung work while retaining the older 'Utah, We Love Thee' as a hymn. Copyright and ownership questions were raised and left for resolution before final enactment.
SALT LAKE CITY — The Utah House on Feb. 10 voted to send House Bill 223 to the Senate, a bill that would designate "Utah, This Is the Place" as the state song and reclassify the long-standing "Utah, We Love Thee" as the state hymn.
Representative Dana Love, sponsor of the bill, introduced the measure and invited students from Mount Vernon Academy and the song's composers, Sam and Gary Francis, to the chamber. "This song appeals to a new generation and speaks of the spirit of the people of Utah today," Love said after the children sang the proposed state song.
Supporters told colleagues the measure preserves tradition while acknowledging a popular contemporary song widely taught in schools. Representative Margaret Dayton, reading committee reports earlier in the day, and others said the change honors both the pioneer-era hymn and a newer composition used in civic education.
Members raised practical concerns about copyright and ownership of the Francis composition and whether the state must secure rights or a relinquishment before formal adoption. Representative Bigelow asked, "Who owns the copyright or patent to the words and music?" Love replied the composers, Sam and Gary Francis of Springville, indicated they were willing to transfer or permit state use and that legal details would be handled before Senate consideration.
Lawmakers debated whether to label the piece an "anthem," "song," or "hymn," and some sought time for legal assurances. After a short procedural motion to "circle" the bill for additional work, the sponsor said she would ensure necessary legal releases; the body voted to forward the bill to the Senate with a favorable recommendation.
Next steps: House Bill 223 will proceed to the Senate, where sponsors said they expect to provide documentation about copyright permissions before final consideration.
