Governor Huntsman calls Utah Legislature into special session to consider transportation funding and tax-system changes

Governor John M. Huntsman Jr. issued a proclamation during the Utah House’s fourth special session in September 2006 calling the 50th Legislature into session at the State Capitol Complex in Salt Lake City to address two matters that “require immediate legislative attention.”

The chief clerk, Sandy D. Tenney, read the proclamation on the House floor, which said the session was called to consider: (1) state and local option funding for transportation, and (2) legislation amending the individual income tax system by modifying tax brackets, adjusting additions to and subtractions from income, and allowing individuals to elect between a single-rate tax system and the existing graduated tax system. The proclamation states it was issued under Article 7, Section 6 of the Constitution of the State of Utah and was signed by Governor John M. Huntsman Jr. and certified by Lieutenant Governor Gary R. Herbert.

Why it matters: The items in the proclamation would affect state revenue policy and provide the Legislature an explicit mandate to consider new or revised authority for local and state transportation funding. Both issues have budgetary and policy effects that could alter tax liabilities or the revenue tools available to local governments.

What was said on the floor: The chief clerk read the proclamation text in full and the House proceeded to organize for the session. The Speaker announced that Sandy D. Tenney would serve as chief clerk for the special session and the lieutenant governor’s certification (Gary R. Herbert) was read aloud, confirming the proclamation and membership certification.

What happens next: The House completed several organizational and procedural steps (adopting rules and authorizing committees to notify the Senate and Governor) and then paused to await reports from the committees sent to the Senate and the Governor. No final votes on substantive legislation regarding transportation funding or tax changes were recorded in the House transcript during the session excerpt provided.

Quotation: The proclamation read on the floor states, in part, “matters have arisen that require immediate legislative attention,” and lists the two purposes the Governor specified for the special session.

Procedural note: The proclamation gives the session’s timing as September 2006 at 2:00 p.m.; the reading on the House floor reported that timing but did not provide a specific calendar day in the portion of the transcript presented.