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Utah Senate Advances Religious Liberty Amendment After Heated Debate
Summary
After hours of debate and testimony from both sides, the Utah Senate voted 20–9 on Feb. 17, 1993, to place Senate Joint Resolution 8 — a proposed state constitutional amendment on religious liberty — on the third-reading calendar. Supporters say it clarifies protections; opponents, including the ACLU, say it risks endorsing government prayer.
Salt Lake City — The Utah Senate on Feb. 17 advanced a proposed constitutional amendment aimed at clarifying religious liberty in the state, moving Senate Joint Resolution 8 to the chamber’s third-reading calendar by a 20–9 vote.
Sponsor Sen. Hilliard told colleagues the measure is intended to educate the public and to cure a perceived legal gap left by federal decisions such as the so-called Smith case. “This is an educational process,” Hilliard said, arguing the amendment would broaden protections and remove language he described as vague and litigable in the state…
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