Get Full Government Meeting Transcripts, Videos, & Alerts Forever!
Get email alerts on the Committee Structure topic
No spam. Unsubscribe anytime.
Utah House approves SJR 201 to shrink appropriations subcommittees; adds vice chair requirement
Summary
The Utah House on Nov. 17, 2010, approved SJR 201 to reduce appropriations subcommittees from 10 to 8 and better align agencies with committee missions; an amendment codifying co-chair appointments and adding a House vice chair was adopted before the House passed the measure 68-0.
SALT LAKE CITY — The Utah House of Representatives on Nov. 17, 2010, approved SJR 201, a joint rules resolution to realign appropriations subcommittees and reduce them from 10 to 8 in an effort to better coordinate budget review and improve attendance.
"The purpose of SJR201 is to streamline our sub appropriation process," House sponsor Representative Ferriero said in floor remarks explaining the proposal’s goals: aligning budgets with agency missions, increasing the likelihood of a quorum at subcommittee meetings and trimming staff needs amid budget constraints.
The House adopted Amendment No. 1, offered by Representative Harper, which formally records the custom that the Speaker and the Senate President appoint one senator and one representative as co-chairs of each appropriations subcommittee and adds a House vice chair position in each subcommittee. "This amendment does 2 things," Harper told colleagues on the floor, explaining it would codify the current practice and create a vice chair role to provide leadership training and continuity.
Representative Farrow and others voiced support on the floor, saying the change corrects an omission in the written rules and would help committees operate more effectively. After brief summations, the House approved the amendment by voice vote and then voted on SJR 201 as amended.
Mr. Speaker announced the final tally: the House passed SJR 201, as amended, 68-0. The measure will be transmitted back to the Senate for its consideration. Following the vote, members approved a motion "to saunter" (a recess) while the Senate caucused and were told to stay close for further notice.
The resolution’s text, as introduced from the Senate, was described on the House floor as "Joint Rules Resolution — Appropriations Subcommittee Amendments" by Senator Dayton. The House record does not show any recorded opposition during the debate or roll-call opposition to the final passage.
Next steps: the resolution will return to the Senate for any further action the upper chamber chooses to take.
