Get Full Government Meeting Transcripts, Videos, & Alerts Forever!
Get email alerts on the Legislative Organization topic
No spam. Unsubscribe anytime.
Utah Senate opens 2000 session, confirms leaders and places scores of bills on calendar
Summary
The Utah State Senate convened Jan. 17, 2000, confirmed party leadership, swore in staff and interns, and read in dozens of new bills and resolutions to be assigned to committees; the Governor will address a joint session this evening at 6:00 p.m.
The Utah State Senate convened its 2000 general session on Jan. 17 in Salt Lake City. President Lane Beatty called the body to order, announced a quorum and said "That is 29 senators present, which constitutes the entire body of the Senate." The Senate confirmed its leadership by voice vote after a motion from Senator Lyle Hilliard to "confirm as leaders the leaders that have been duly elected."
Clerical staff read the lieutenant governor's certificate certifying members chosen in recent elections. Annette (clerical staff) read the certificate from Lieutenant Governor Olene S. Walker, which listed senators and their districts sworn for the term beginning Jan. 1, 1999 and Jan. 1, 1997. The Senate completed a roll call and proceeded with organizational business.
Senators introduced and recognized staff and pages; President Beatty administered the staff oath of office and members were asked to introduce dozens of college interns who will serve in senators’ offices. Senate staff and pages were approved on a motion adopting the employee committee report.
On procedure, Senator Stephen Polton moved to suspend the reading of long and short bill titles "as provided by the Utah Constitution and the joint rules of the legislature," applying the suspension to bills introduced during the session unless a senator requests a reading; President Beatty ruled the motion carried by a greater-than-two-thirds voice vote. The Rules Committee then reported the assignment of numerous bills to standing committees.
Clerical staff read in an initial set of bills and resolutions (Senate Bills and resolutions numbered in the range read for the first time) to be assigned to the Rules Committee. President Beatty accepted notice that the Governor will deliver remarks at a joint session in the House Chambers at 6:00 p.m.; senators were asked to be seated 5 to 10 minutes early.
The Senate recessed and scheduled regular business to resume at 2:00 p.m.; a motion to adjourn until 10:00 a.m. the next day was later adopted.
