Utah House rejects resolution requiring monthly interim appropriation subcommittee meetings

Representative Morgan moved to bring First Substitute House Joint Resolution 5 to the floor, arguing the measure would require appropriation subcommittees to meet monthly during the April–November interim so legislators can better examine agency budgets and prevent misspending. Morgan cited a recent audit finding of $23,700,000 related to textbook funding and said the fiscal note for the resolution would be “less than the cost of one audit.”

Opponents criticized the mandate. Representative Ferry questioned whether the meetings would be scheduled with standing committee days or separately and said some subappropriations committees have not used existing interim meeting opportunities. Representative Bigelow, who said he had signed the committee letter but did not support the bill personally, argued that increased meeting days would not make uninterested legislators more engaged and warned the change edged the Legislature toward a full‑time body. Representative Brad Johnson said some committees with complex budgets would benefit and suggested interim meetings might reduce pressure to lengthen the session.

A member called the previous question to end debate. After summation from Representative Morgan, who reiterated that many audits are underway and that monthly interim reviews could prevent costly problems, the House voted. First Substitute HJR 5 failed, receiving 28 yes votes and 46 no votes.

The resolution will be filed; supporters said the change aimed to increase accountability and catch misappropriations earlier, while critics said it imposed unnecessary mandates and risked mission creep toward a full‑time legislature.