Utah Senate convenes for 1998 organizational session; staff sworn, leaders recorded

Presiding Officer called the Utah State Senate to order on Jan. 19, 1998, opened the session with an invocation by Elder Jeffrey Holland and recognized a musical performance by the Hillcrest High School vocal ensemble directed by Dr. Brian Bentley.

The Senate approved a motion to record Elder Holland’s prayer in the Senate Journal and recorded session leadership in the journal. Senators approved appointments to the rules committee and a committee to read and revise the Senate journal; the body also confirmed staff and administered the oath of office to Senate employees.

During roll call the clerk recorded attendance and the Presiding Officer declared a quorum present with 26 members attending and three absent. The Presiding Officer introduced the chamber’s interns and thanked higher-education partners supplying the students.

In an extended opening address the Presiding Officer summarized state demographics and economic indicators, saying Utah’s population was expected to reach roughly 2,090,000 (about a 2% increase) and noting strong job growth and an unemployment rate described as near 3.4% for 1997. The address framed legislative priorities for the 45-day session: education and services for children and families, careful use of technology, and continued attention to public safety and judicial reform.

The session closed its organizational business after introducing staff, assigning committees, and confirming procedural motions; the Senate recessed until 3 p.m. for the day’s scheduled break. The next calendar steps announced were committee referrals for the bills introduced and placement of certain noncontroversial items on the second-reading calendar.