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Utah Senate approves nonbinding 'conference of the states' resolution after debate on scope
Summary
The Utah Senate on Jan. 16 approved SCR/FCR 87 supporting a bipartisan, nonbinding conference of states to explore state-level responses to perceived federal overreach; supporters said safeguards exist, critics warned the language is broad.
The Utah Senate approved SCR/FCR 87 on Jan. 16, a resolution endorsing participation in a proposed nonpartisan "conference of the states" to explore measures to restore checks and balances between the states and the federal government.
Senator Lane Beatty, floor sponsor of the measure, told colleagues the proposal grew from discussions with governors and legislative leaders and would send a bipartisan delegation — five delegates per state, including two legislative members from each house and one member from each major party — to a national conference only if 26 other states adopted similar resolutions. Measures emerging from that conference would return to each state legislature for their consideration and would require supermajorities to proceed.
Senators debated whether the resolution’s language was too broad. Senator Steiner warned the bill could amount to a "blank check" because it authorizes delegates to "propose, debate and vote on elements of an action plan," while others said the breadth is deliberate to allow consideration of multiple options and that any recommendation would still require approval by state legislatures. Senator Black urged clearer language to guarantee one legislator from each house and party; proponents pointed to provisions on the final pages that limit partisan stacking.
Under a motion recorded in the journal, the body registered intent that delegation appointments be bipartisan; the Senate then read the resolution under suspension of the rules and completed a roll-call vote. The clerk recorded the vote and the resolution passed; the measure is a nonbinding authorization to participate in the multistate process rather than a mandate to pursue any specific constitutional amendment or federal petition.
The resolution’s supporters framed it as a measured, nonbinding step to give states a forum to discuss federal-state relations. Critics urged clarifying language and intent before sending delegates to a national conference.
