Trevin Stevenson, associate director of government relations for the ASUU student government, opened a Hinckley Institute of Politics forum on campus, telling attendees the event was part of a three-part series ‘‘designed with the intention to help students engage more deeply in their civic life and political advocacy.’’

Nick Cockrell, managing director of community engagement at the Hinckley Institute, led a step-by-step presentation on the Utah legislative process and practical tactics for student advocates. Cockrell emphasized that Utah’s legislature is ‘‘a part time legislature’’ and runs a 45-day annual session, noting the 2026 session kicks off on Jan. 20. He explained that committees—especially standing committees—are the primary venues for public testimony and for shaping bills before floor votes.

Cockrell walked students through how an idea becomes a law: drafting by the Office of Legislative Research and General Counsel, introduction and referral by the rules committee, committee review (where public input can be given), floor debate in both chambers, the governor’s action (sign or veto), and the bill’s effective date. He cited historical and current bill volumes to illustrate the pace: ‘‘As of yesterday, almost, just over 1,300 bill files opened,’’ Jason Perry, director of the Hinckley Institute and vice president of government relations at the University of Utah, told the group; Cockrell added that 959 bills were introduced in 2025 and 582 were passed that year, based on a researcher’s trend line.

To help students follow legislation, Cockrell demonstrated le.utah.gov’s calendar, committee pages and bill-tracking features. He recommended creating a legislative login to receive email alerts for committee agendas or for specific bills and used HB12 (Outdoor Recreation Accessibility Amendments), sponsored by Representative Doug Welton, as an example of a bill’s public page with text and highlighted provisions.

On advocacy tactics, Cockrell advised students to start with their own legislators—who represent roughly 40,000 to 70,000 constituents—and to be strategic: contact committee chairs or relevant floor sponsors, present clear information and solutions, and follow up persistently. He also suggested partnering with advocacy organizations or news reporters who already track issue areas.

Cockrell closed by encouraging students to consider legislative internships at the Utah State Capitol; he described an experience that assigns students to work for a legislator or an executive office during the 45-day session and noted the program provides a stipend of just over $4,000.

The forum was hosted jointly by ASUU and the Hinckley Institute of Politics; organizers invited attendees to continue questions after the presentation and to attend future Hinckley events.