House adopts rules limiting on-floor media access after heated debate

The Utah House on the 11th day of the 2004 session approved a first substitute House Rules Resolution (House Rule 1) that restricts movement of news media and certain nonlegislative staff on the House floor during debate, passing 38–29.

Representative Ron Bigelow, sponsor of the resolution, said the change is meant to preserve order and adapt to a forthcoming relocation of the chamber. "This resolution would change that so that they could not come on the floor... the media would still be able to be in the location where you see them now, in ... the box in the corner," Bigelow said, adding the measure’s July 1 implementation date reflected anticipated space constraints in the new chamber.

Opponents argued the proposal risked the appearance of restricting the press. Representative Kevin Farren moved to delete the lines that would limit media movement and urged colleagues to remember the press are "the eyes and ears of the public." That amendment was put to a division vote and failed on a 32–32 tie. Additional efforts to clarify guest definitions, including a motion to reinstate language explicitly allowing former legislators on the floor, also failed to gain approval.

Supporters said the rule is narrowly tailored and would not prevent media from reporting. "Most of those in the media... can do their job professionally, effectively, accurately, and completely," Bigelow said during debate. Lawmakers who favor the resolution cited decorum, efficiency and future seating limitations in the new chamber as motivating factors.

After the sequence of failed amendments, the House adopted the first substitute by recorded vote; Representative Bigelow urged members to support it as a commonsense rule to limit interruptions during debate. The resolution will be enforced under House rules and signed for enrollment by the Speaker.