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Senate reconsiders House Bill 119, advances measure to make Board of Regents appointments nonpartisan
Summary
The Utah Senate reconsidered its prior action on House Bill 119 and advanced it after extended floor debate; supporters said the change would prioritize qualifications, opponents warned it could erode political balance on the Board of Regents. The measure was moved toward third reading.
The Utah Senate on the floor on Feb. 15 voted to reconsider its earlier action on House Bill 119, a measure to make appointments to the state Board of Regents nonpartisan, and moved the measure back onto the second-reading calendar for further consideration.
Senator Jill Hickman, the bill sponsor, said the legislation’s sole purpose is to make Board of Regents appointments about higher education qualifications rather than party affiliation, arguing it would help secure the “best person possible representing that region of the state.” "Our intent . . . is to make the board of regents the best functioning board in the state," Hickman said in floor remarks.
Opponents spoke at length on the Senate floor. Senator Stewart Bell and Senator Mike Hilliard both urged caution, arguing the existing requirement that preserves party balance helps avoid politicization and protects regional interests. "I speak against this bill because I think we need that balance, which has served us well over time," Senator Bell said. Senator Hilliard said he had seen no problem with the current system and warned the change could create political battles over future appointments.
Senator Chris Stevenson said he supported the bill, citing a history in Utah County where a regent had been antagonistic to local institutions. "We suffered under that," Stevenson said, urging the Senate to focus on regional representation and effectiveness rather than partisan rules.
After extended debate and a roll-call, the presiding officer announced the bill would be read for the third time later in the day. The record on reconsideration and the subsequent procedural moves were completed on the floor; the Senate recorded 16 yes votes and 12 nays when the bill was placed to be read for third time during this session.
The next procedural step is third reading and final passage on the third-reading calendar. If passed again, the measure will return to the House or be enrolled per legislative procedure.
