Utah House opens 2017 session, elects Gregory H. Hughes as Speaker and adopts interim rules

The Utah House of Representatives convened its 2017 general session on Jan. 23 at the State Capitol in Salt Lake City and completed its opening organizational business, including the swearing-in of members and the election of Representative Gregory H. Hughes as Speaker by voice vote.

Members repeated oaths of office under the authority of the Utah Constitution; returning members took the oath at their desks and newly elected members came forward to be sworn publicly. The House then moved to leadership organization: Minority leader moved to nominate Gregory H. Hughes as Speaker and Representative Dave Wilson moved that the House elect Hughes "by acclamation." The motion carried on a voice vote and Hughes was escorted to the podium and administered the oath of office.

The House adopted interim rules and continued the practice of reading only short titles of bills on the calendar—motions that were approved by the constitutionally required two-thirds majority when specified. The Rules Committee, chaired by Representative Michael Noel, presented a committee report recommending that several bills be lifted from rules, read a second time and placed on the third-reading calendar; the House adopted that committee report by voice vote.

Leadership also read a lengthy slate of bills and resolutions for first reading (including numerous budget bills and policy measures spanning HB 1 through HB 170+ and several concurrent and joint resolutions). Many measures were referred to standing committees and to the House Rules Committee for further consideration. The House also approved motions authorizing the Speaker to appoint committees to notify the governor and the Senate that the legislature is organized.

Motions and approvals described on the floor were carried by voice vote except where a two-thirds majority was required and announced. The House recessed until 2:15 p.m. to continue its work later in the day.

Quotes from the floor reflected the procedural and ceremonial tone of the session: when the House agreed to print the invocation and the Speaker's remarks in the Journal, the majority leader moved that the prayer and remarks be printed, and the Chair declared the motion passed. The session included formal introductions of clerks, sergeants at arms and interns who will support proceedings over the coming weeks.

Next steps: the House will consider the third-reading calendar items as scheduled and continue committee work on bills referred today.