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Senate adopts joint rules allowing electronic meetings under limited circumstances
Summary
SJR16 passed unanimously (28–0–1) to permit the Senate and House leadership to authorize electronic meetings in emergencies, natural disasters or when 25% or more of members cannot attend, with provisions to keep sessions subject to the Open and Public Meetings Act.
The Utah Senate passed Senate Joint Resolution 16 to provide a framework for conducting legislative sessions and committee meetings electronically under narrowly defined circumstances.
Sponsor Senator Hemmert said the resolution authorizes the president of the Senate and the speaker of the House to allow electronic participation when: the governor declares a state of emergency; the presiding officers determine a physical meeting is too dangerous; a natural disaster or attack prevents 25% or more of a body from attending; or other similar situations arise. The sponsor said the resolution requires compliance with the Open and Public Meetings Act and intends to allow visual/video participation where feasible, although the language does not mandate a specific technology.
Floor exchanges focused on delegation of authority: Senator Bramble and others asked whether the language gives too broad discretionary power to the leadership or whether chairs would retain authority to run committees; sponsors pointed out the measure uses permissive language ("may") and preserves chair responsibilities and public-meeting requirements.
Vote: The resolution passed by roll call with 28 yea votes, 0 nay and 1 absent and will be transmitted to the House for consideration. The sponsor and other senators said they will refine drafting if needed in the House.
