Get Full Government Meeting Transcripts, Videos, & Alerts Forever!
Get email alerts on the State Symbols topic
No spam. Unsubscribe anytime.
Senate quickly passes SB 41 to make quaking aspen Utah's state tree while students watch
Summary
Senators heard a presentation from Monroe Elementary fourth-graders and moved to suspend constitutional readings to pass SB 41, naming the quaking aspen as the state tree; the bill passed 26-0 and students were thanked on the floor.
Senator Okerlund presented SB 41 to change Utah's state tree from the blue spruce to the quaking aspen, accompanied by fourth-grade students and teacher Angie Blomquist from Monroe Elementary School.
Okerlund argued the quaking aspen better represents the state's forests and widespread presence, and highlighted the Pando clone near Fish Lake as an example of the aspen's ecological significance. Senator Jones and others praised the educational involvement; Jones said the aspen "represents our connectivity in our state." The sponsor moved to suspend the constitutional three-reading requirement so the bill could be considered while students were present.
On final passage the Senate recorded 26 yay votes; SB 41 was sent to the House and senators publicly thanked the students for traveling to the Capitol to observe the legislative process.
