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Rules committee holds resolution to let legislators hire part‑time assistants
Summary
HJR 17, which would allow each legislator to hire a part‑time staffer (example cited: 20 hours/week) to improve constituent service, was discussed at length and held for further work on fiscal implications and scope.
Representative Wilcox introduced HJR 17 to permit each legislator to hire a part‑time assistant they would select and direct, saying the change would help members respond to constituents year‑round and better manage legislative duties. Wilcox described the proposal as modest and practical: “It would allow, this proposal would allow us to each hire a part time person that we would select, that we would be able to direct their activities.”
Committee members welcomed the conversation but focused on fiscal cost and the risk of nudging the body toward a de facto full‑time legislature. Representative Peterson asked whether the proposal would push Utah toward a full‑time model and flagged uncertainty about the proposal’s 20‑hour example and the fiscal note. Representative Burton and Representative Hollins voiced support but noted the fiscal and operational questions.
Representative Hollins moved to pass HJR 17 with a favorable recommendation, then Representative Wilcox offered a substitute motion to hold the bill to permit further discussion of fiscal and policy tradeoffs. The substitute motion to hold passed by voice vote; the committee recorded the result as unanimous. Sponsor and members said they would continue conversations about scope, hours, and the fiscal note.
The committee did not advance HJR 17; members asked for more analysis on costs and guardrails to preserve the part‑time nature of any assistance.
