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Senate approves changing county commissioners' terms to four years
Summary
After a contentious floor exchange about accountability and voter choice, the Senate approved House Bill 40 to lengthen terms so county commissioners serve four-year terms; the bill passed 19–5 with 5 absent.
House Bill 40, which would adjust terms of office so county commissioners would serve four‑year terms (bringing staggered terms into alignment), passed the Utah Senate after extended debate on electoral accountability and local preference.
Opponents, led by Senator Bryant, argued voters prefer more frequent contests and direct accountability, saying a longer term could reduce voter control. Proponents responded that counties have had options to change forms of government for years, that modern county jurisdictions and councils sometimes require longer terms, and that some counties have already considered such changes. Senators debated whether the public wanted the change and whether prior local referenda had rejected the proposal in some counties.
After floor discussion, a roll call produced 19 ayes, 5 nays and 5 absent and the bill passed; it will return to the House because of floor amendments.
