House adopts rule to place base‑budget bills on calendar, adds a minimum three‑day review window

The Utah House passed House Joint Resolution 3, adopting a rule to establish the 'base budget' process and timing for consideration of SB 1 and SB 3. Representative Bigelow sponsored the resolution and described it as a tool to increase public scrutiny by making base budget materials available earlier in the session.

During debate members raised concerns that the procedure could allow passage of a base budget with limited public input if acted on immediately; Representative Holliway cautioned the House about passing the base budget too early. Representative Hansen moved to amend the resolution to insert the phrase 'but not before the third day' after the existing 'by the tenth day' language; the amendment was adopted. Hansen said the three‑day window "gives the public an opportunity to look at it and study it and be able to call us and let us know what their concerns are." Representative Bigelow supported the amendment, saying it left open the possibility to act sooner but increased clarity about timing.

Sponsors explained executive appropriations would retain flexibility to account for ongoing programs and growth items (for example, Medicaid and public education growth). Bigelow said executive appropriations identified a small group of near‑unanimous items totaling "just under $100,000,000" that it considered appropriate to include in a base budget while holding out more controversial items for deliberation.

The resolution, as amended, passed by a voice and recorded vote and was reported to the Senate with a 70–0 tally.

Next steps: HJR 3 will be referred to the Senate for consideration under the amended timeline spelled out in the resolution.