Get Full Government Meeting Transcripts, Videos, & Alerts Forever!
Get email alerts on the Resolutions topic
No spam. Unsubscribe anytime.
Delegates hear resolutions urging return of Secretary of State control for elections, grid hardening, and a push to restore party autonomy
Summary
Presenters described resolutions urging the legislature to restore a Secretary of State to run elections, to 'harden the grid' against EMPs and solar storms funded by a user fee, and a resolution aiming to reduce the effect of Senate Bill 54 by giving parties a real choice about participating in primaries.
Delegates heard presentations on several resolutions the committee may urge delegates to support at the state convention, including a proposal to restore a Secretary of State for elections, a 'Harden the Grid' infrastructure resolution and a resolution seeking legislative change related to Senate Bill 54 (2014).
'Bob,' who sponsored a Secretary of State resolution that passed the committee with roughly two‑thirds support at an earlier stage, argued the state should move elections administration out of the lieutenant governor’s office and into a dedicated Secretary of State’s office to ensure focus, accountability and neutrality. He cited examples of perceived conflicts when the lieutenant governor has political ties and said restoring a Secretary of State would transfer the election portion of the lieutenant governor’s budget to the new office.
"We really want someone that we trust over our initiatives and our referenda and our elections," the presenter said, adding that the extra cost would be worth a dedicated, neutral official who focuses on elections.
The session also included a presentation on 'Harden the Grid,' which advocates actions to protect power infrastructure from electromagnetic pulses and severe solar storms. The presenter described support in previous SEC and legislative resolutions and proposed a 0.5 percent user fee on utility bills to fund grid hardening measures, saying federal, state and utility costs will ultimately fall to ratepayers in some form.
Lowell Nelson presented a final resolution urging delegates to lobby the legislature to amend state law (as written in Utah code) so that a registered political party could choose whether to participate in the state primary or allow convention winners to appear on the general election ballot. Nelson said current law (and Senate Bill 54) effectively forces convention winners into state primaries in contests where signature candidates also run, disadvantaging convention victors.
Speakers emphasized these were presentations and discussions; no binding votes were taken during the call. Organizers reminded participants the convention on Saturday is the venue where delegates will decide whether to place these measures on the party’s convention floor.
