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Utah Senate organizes for 2007 session, elects John L. Valentine as president
Summary
At its organizational session, the Utah State Senate elected John L. Valentine as president by voice vote, adopted a rule to read only short bill titles unless otherwise ordered, recorded leadership and committee appointments, and employed session staff.
John L. Valentine was declared president of the Utah State Senate and sworn into office during the Legislature’s organizational session. Senators nominated and seconded Valentine, who repeated the oath and received unanimous voice support for his election.
The oath and certification of membership were read earlier by Lieutenant Governor Gary R. Herbert, who certified senators elected in recent general elections and recorded terms beginning Jan. 1, 2007. The clerk then called the roll; the presiding officer announced 29 senators present, establishing a quorum to begin business.
Valentine used his first remarks to urge colleagues to act as "anchors" for state policy, take a long-term view for future generations and remain accountable to the public. "I prefer to visualize this the Senate as more of an anchor and making policy," Valentine said, asking senators to work honestly and treat dissenting colleagues with respect.
Senate leadership names were read and approved by voice vote after President Valentine recorded the results of the Republican and Democratic caucuses. The leadership list included majority and minority leaders and whips as read into the Senate Journal.
On procedure, Senator Bill Hickman moved that the Senate continue the practice of reading only the short title of bills and resolutions unless the body directs otherwise; the motion, which requires a two-thirds threshold, was placed, called for no debate, and passed by voice vote.
President Valentine also announced standing committees and joint appropriations subcommittees and introduced the session’s administrative staff and interns. A motion to employ the listed individuals as Senate staff for the general session was moved and approved unanimously.
The Senate appointed delegations to notify the House and the governor that it was organized and ready to do business. Senators then recessed until 2 p.m. for lunch.
Actions recorded in the session included motions to spread ceremonial remarks in the Senate Journal, the nomination and election of John L. Valentine as Senate president (motion seconded and approved by voice), adoption of the short-title reading practice for bills, approval of Senate leadership, and adoption of the Senate staff list. Where votes were taken by voice, the Senate recorded passage; no roll-call tallies were given in the transcript.
The Senate’s organization and rule confirmations set the procedural framework for the forthcoming 45‑day session.
