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Utah Senate organizes for 2021 session, elects Jay Stewart Adams as president
Summary
The Utah State Senate convened Jan. 19, 2021, elected Jay Stewart Adams as president by acclamation, adopted prior-session rules, and Governor/legislative leaders outlined priorities including education funding, infrastructure, mental-health initiatives and tax reductions.
The Utah State Senate convened on Jan. 19, 2021, organized for the 2021 general session and elected Jay Stewart Adams as president of the Senate by acclamation. Senators also adopted the rules used in the previous special session and heard opening remarks laying out the chamber’s priorities for the coming weeks.
President Jay Stewart Adams, sworn in after his nomination and an acclamation vote, thanked outgoing members and introduced five new senators. “We are ready to do the people's business and represent our constituents,” he said, and he asked colleagues for civility and collaboration across parties during a session described as shorter and focused.
Adams outlined several priorities the Senate intends to address this session: continued management of the COVID‑19 pandemic while protecting livelihoods, funding for education (including reinstating weighted pupil unit increases and one‑time stipends for educators), investments in transportation and infrastructure projects such as double‑tracking the FrontRunner commuter rail, support for rural economic development and a focus on mental‑health services. He described Utah’s pandemic results and fiscal position as a foundation for the session’s agenda, citing a low case‑fatality rate and available one‑time and ongoing surpluses.
On procedure, the Senate adopted the same joint and interim rules used in the recent special session and voted to continue reading only short titles of bills unless a majority directs otherwise, steps intended to expedite floor consideration. Senator Greg Buxton moved the rules adoption; the motion passed without recorded opposition.
The chamber also observed ceremonial elements during the opening: an invocation by Sister Lisa Harkness, colors presented by the Hill Air Force Base Honor Guard, a pledge led by Commissioner Jess Anderson and a musical performance by a Utah Symphony and Opera string quartet. Senators passed a motion to record appreciation for those presentations in the Senate journal.
The Senate adjourned for lunch with plans to reconvene in the afternoon and begin consideration of bills that were introduced for first reading.
The next scheduled actions are rules‑committee review of introduced bills and continuation of first and second reading calendars when the Senate reconvenes.
