80-608: The Utah State Legislature is the state legislature of the U.S. state of Utah . It is a bicameral body, comprising the Utah House of Representatives , with 75 state representatives, and the Utah Senate , with 29 state senators. There are no term limits for either chamber. The Legislature convenes at the Utah State Capitol in the state capital of Salt Lake City . In 2020, voters approved an amendment to
160-401: A bill from a committee", which led to subsequent reforms. Reports of Committee After a committee has completed work on a bill, it reports the bill to the appropriate house during the "reports of committees" in the daily order of business. Reported bills are immediately given a second reading. The houses do not vote on a bill at the time it is reported; however, reported bills are placed on
240-735: A capitol building. In 1856, the Fillmore Capitol was abandoned and the assembly met in Salt Lake City at various locations including: the Council House , the Social Hall (Social Hall Avenue), the old Salt Lake County Courthouse (at Second South and Second West streets), the old Salt Lake City Hall , and the present Salt Lake City and County Building . The Industrial Christian Home for Polygamous Wives also provided office space for officials. After, being admitted to
320-562: A committee to "kill" a bill, sometimes without even a public vote; in Colorado, the power was notably repealed in a citizen initiative constitutional amendment in 1988 driven by various reform groups. When a committee refuses to vote a bill out of committee, a discharge petition can be passed by the broader membership. The specifics vary from state to state; for example, in 2004, a report found that New York State "places more restrictions than any other state legislature on motions to discharge
400-600: A judiciary consisting of a Supreme Court, District Courts, Probate Courts, and justices of the peace. The creation of the Territory of Utah was part of the Compromise of 1850 seeking to preserve the political balance of power between the slave and free states. Following the organization of the territory, Brigham Young was inaugurated as its first governor on Sunday, February 9, 1851 and the first territorial assembly met Monday, September 22, 1851. The legislative body of
480-775: A large portion of the eastern area of the Utah Territory to be separated and added to as part of the newly created adjacent Colorado Territory further east. In 1869 , the territory's legislature (the Territorial Assembly) approved and ratified women's suffrage . This allowed women to vote in all future territorial elections continuing to 1896 with statehood (although both male and female residents in American territories had no voice or vote in Federal elections back East). A total of 46 years elapsed between
560-506: A majority party, this is known as the majority being "rolled". When there are bills which most of the majority oppose, roll rates are a measure of the majority party's avoidance of voting on those bills. Committee review Committees review bill, often holding hearings to gather information and opinions, and can propose amendments to bill similar to legislative bodies throughout the world. Most bills cannot be enacted into law until it has been referred to, acted upon by, and returned from,
640-477: A new territorial capitol building for the government and its assembly and governor's offices for the next four decades and which also continued as the new state capital after statehood in 1896. A massive monumental Utah State Capitol building with landmark dome was later constructed there on the scenic ridge overlooking from the slopes of the surrounding Wasatch Range mountains to the present. During Brigham Young's governorship, he exerted considerable power over
720-427: A proposed constitution was drafted and subsequently submitted to the U.S. Congress which rejected the petition for statehood. The Twentieth Territorial Legislature on January 31, 1872 would call for a fourth constitutional convention and again petitioned Congress for statehood yet this effort also failed and it was not until April and May 1882 that a fifth and final attempt at statehood was made prior to Congress passing
800-470: A standing committee in each house. Reference to committee usually follows the first reading of the bill. Each committee is set up to consider bills relating to a particular subject. Standing committees are charged with the important responsibility of examining bills and recommending action to the Senate or House. Often on days when a legislature is not in session, the committees of each house meet and consider
880-451: Is available to ensure that legislation and accompanying discussion proceed as orderly as possible without bias. Bill drafting and submission The lawmaking process begins with the introduction of a bill in either the House of Representatives or the Senate. Bills may be introduced in either house, sometimes with the exception of bills increasing or decreasing revenue, which must originate in
SECTION 10
#1732776762485960-540: Is called the Nebraska Legislature , but its members are called state senators. The first bicameral American legislature was formed in 1619 as the Virginia House of Burgesses . The legislatures of the initial Thirteen Colonies usually consisted of an elected lower house and an appointed upper house , the latter of which also functioned as an advisory council to the colonial governor. After
1040-488: Is done by committees. The legislature as a whole relies on its committees to report out only those bills deserving the consideration of the entire house. Through standing committees, each bill is addressed by a group of members who have special knowledge of its subject. Some members of the legislature have expert knowledge of particular subjects of legislation, and these members are usually placed on committees to take full advantage of this specialized knowledge. For this reason,
1120-711: Is headquartered in Denver, Colorado and has a lobbying office in Washington, D.C. Additionally, privately funded organizations with ideological leanings have annual meetings attracting many legislators. These include the American Legislative Exchange Council (ALEC), a conservative organization, and the State Innovation Exchange (SIX), its progressive counterpart. As of 2017, 24 of 99 chambers have limits on
1200-677: Is held for 45 calendar days, convening on the fourth Monday in January. The General Session must conclude by midnight on the 45th day according to the Utah State Constitution . The Governor may by proclamation convene the Legislature in Special Session, to transact legislative business, but no legislative business can be conducted except that which is expressed in the proclamation or other legislative business that
1280-413: Is not considered by the full house, the bill is defeated. The house of origin, upon return of its amended bill, may take any one of several courses of action. It may concur in the amendment by the adoption of a motion to that effect; then the bill, having been passed by both houses in identical form, is ready for enrollment. Another possibility is that the house of origin may adopt a motion to non-concur in
1360-692: Is the only state in the United States that is elected and conducted in a nonpartisan manner. As of 2016, 88 percent of members of the Utah legislature were affiliated with the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints . The Utah Senate elects a President of the Senate and the Utah House elects a Speaker, and each political party caucus in both houses elects party leadership including a majority leader , majority whip and assistant majority whip by
1440-523: The American Revolution and the establishment of the United States, most states wrote new constitutions which had direct elections for both chambers of the legislature. This model helped influence the U.S. Constitution and was then adopted by new states which later joined the union . Members of the smaller chamber represent more citizens and usually serve for longer terms than members of the larger chamber, generally four years. In 41 states,
1520-499: The Fifth Territorial Legislature passed an act on December 10, 1855 establishing a constitutional convention to make a second attempt at Statehood. This second constitutional convention was held on March 17, 1856 in Salt Lake City and a proposed constitution was created which was subsequently rejected by the U.S. Congress . A third constitutional convention was held on January 20, 1862 in Salt Lake City and
1600-437: The U.S. Senate , because that chamber's makeup is prescribed by the U.S. Constitution .) During a legislative session , the legislature considers matters introduced by its members or submitted by the governor. Businesses and other special interest organizations often lobby the legislature to obtain beneficial legislation, defeat unfavorably perceived measures, or influence other legislative action. A legislature also approves
1680-576: The United States , the state legislature is the legislative branch in each of the 50 U.S. states . A legislature generally performs state duties for a state in the same way that the United States Congress performs national duties at the national level. Generally, the same system of checks and balances that exists at the federal level also exists between the state legislature, the state executive officer (governor) and
SECTION 20
#17327767624851760-491: The Utah Enabling Act in 1894. The Utah Territory proceeded to hold a constitutional convention on March 4, 1895 which ended on March 6, 1895 and the proposed Constitution was ratified by the voters Tuesday, November 5, 1895. The first election was also held on this day and state officials were elected. The First Utah State Legislature convened on January 13, 1896 and proceeded to conduct the business of organizing
1840-554: The Utah Senate with a four-year term. Utah first petitioned for statehood starting in 1849, and a constitutional convention was called to draft a State Constitution for a proposed State of Deseret on March 8, 1849 to be held in Salt Lake City . The U.S. House of Representatives and Senate rejected the proposed state and followed up the rejection by creating the Territory of Utah . It wasn't for another six years before
1920-611: The Utah Territory continued to act until 1896 with the successful passage of the Utah Constitution and Utah achieving statehood . The first President of the Utah Territorial Council was Willard Richards and the first Territorial Speaker of the House was William W. Phelps . In 1870, the length of a Representative's term was extended to two years, and in 1896 the Utah Territorial Council became
2000-595: The federal Territory of Utah, 97–85. The creation of the Territory with no mention at all of the divisive issue of slavery in the documents, was partially the result of a petition sent by the Mormon pioneers under the leadership of Brigham Young (1801–1877, served 1847–1877), the second church president. The petition had asked Congress to allow them to enter the Union as the State of Deseret , (which they had already organized
2080-404: The governor and to try articles of impeachment. (In a few states, a separate executive council, composed of members elected from large districts, performs the confirmation function.) Nebraska originally had a bicameral legislature like the other states, but the lower house was abolished following a referendum, effective with the 1936 elections. The remaining unicameral (one-chamber) legislature
2160-512: The legislative process , as the majority of the debate and discussion of a bill is done in committee and public comment is generally accepted at this point in the bill process. Amendments can be made to the bill and be given more consideration than they would on the floor of either legislative chamber. Utah has three types of legislative committees, these are: appropriations subcommittees, standing committees and interim committees. There are eight appropriations subcommittees made up of members of both
2240-845: The Capitol did not start until December 26, 1912, and it was not completed and dedicated until October 9, 1916. The Utah Capitol Building under went renovations and seismic upgrades from 2002 to 2008. The State Legislature met in the West Administration Building at the Capitol Complex while the Governor's and Lt. Governor's Offices were located in the East Administration Building during the time of renovation. State legislature (United States) [REDACTED] [REDACTED] In
2320-500: The General Session. If the House impeaches an official, the Senate is required to convene to try that impeachment. The Utah Territory was established by an act of Congress on Monday, September 9, 1850 which provided for a territorial government made up of a governor chosen every four years, a Legislative Assembly with a 13-member Council chosen every second year and a 26-member House of Representatives chosen annually, and
2400-400: The Governor shall call attention to. These special sessions, except in the cases of impeachment, cannot exceed 30 calendar days. The House may convene for the purpose of impeachment if two-thirds of the members are in favor of convening for that purpose. The Speaker of the House shall determine by poll whether there is a sufficient number of members to convene for an Impeachment Session outside
2480-628: The Governor's mansion on July 4th they "...unfurled the territorial flag." The third flag was depicted on a cigarette trading card in the 1880s. The flag was in a squared ratio with blue background and the Utah state coat of arms in the center. There is no evidence that the flag was ever made or flown. In 1850, nine churches with regular services in the Utah Territory were unclassified by historian Edwin Gaustad in his Historical Atlas of Religion in America (1962), but were probably LDS churches. In
Utah State Legislature - Misplaced Pages Continue
2560-402: The House is divided into 75 House districts, each representing approximately 29,800 people. Senate districts overlap House districts allowing two legislators for each constituency in Utah. Senators are elected to a four-year term, and Representatives to a two-year term. All state House districts and half of all state Senate districts are up for election every two years. To be eligible for
2640-418: The House of Representatives. The order of business in each house provides a proper time for the introduction of bills. Bills are usually assigned consecutive numbers, given in the order of their introduction, to facilitate identification. Usually a bill cannot become enacted until it has been read on a certain number of days in each house. Upon introduction, a bill is usually read by its title only, constituting
2720-847: The National Conference of The Council of State Governments (CSG), headquartered in Lexington, Kentucky, with offices in Washington, DC; New York City; Chicago; Atlanta; and Sacramento, and at the annual meetings of CSG's regions, The Southern Legislative Conference, The Midwestern Legislative Conference, the Eastern Regional Conference and CSG West, and at the Legislative Summit of the National Conference of State Legislatures , which
2800-602: The North. With the exception of a small area around the headwaters of the upper Colorado River in present-day Colorado , the United States had acquired all the northwestern lands of the territory and former provinces from southern neighbor Mexico after the negotiations and ratification of the Treaty of Guadalupe Hidalgo of 1848, following several additional battles along the Gulf of Mexico coast and central heartland, resulting in
2880-473: The Territory flew in 1851 and consist of 13 red and white stripes, a blue canton with 13 stars and eagle that was positioned above a large 5 pointed star. The flag is preserved in Smithsonian institute. The second flag was raised in 1854 and it similarly contained "...stars, stripes, eagle, and beehive." flag was It was raised up flag pole on temple block to celebrated Pioneer's day. The following year at
2960-563: The Union as a State on January 4, 1896 by an act signed into law by President Grover Cleveland , the first official act of statehood was the swearing in of State officials at the Salt Lake Tabernacle on January 6, 1896, as Utah did not have an official State Capitol. Acting upon the recommendation of Governor John C. Cutler, the Utah Legislature finally approved a plan to build a State Capitol in 1909. Construction on
3040-500: The United States that existed from September 9, 1850, until January 4, 1896, when the final extent of the territory was admitted to the Union as the State of Utah , the 45th state. At its creation, the Territory of Utah included all of the present-day State of Utah, most of the current state of Nevada save for that portion of Southern Nevada (including the metro area of the city of Las Vegas ), much of modern western Colorado , and
3120-502: The Utah House of Representatives and Utah Senate. These subcommittees are responsible for reviewing a section of the budget and requests for appropriations. At the end of this review, the subcommittees submit its portion of the budget and a recommended list of prioritized appropriations on to the Executive Appropriations Committee, which is composed of party leadership from both chambers. All alterations to
3200-576: The Utah State Capitol in Salt Lake City . The Republicans currently have super-majorities in both the House and Senate . They control the House by a margin of 59–16 and the Senate by 23–6. The current Senate President is Stuart Adams (R), and the Speaker of the House is Brad Wilson (R). The state is divided into 29 Senate districts, each representing approximately 77,000 people and
3280-415: The amendment, at which point the bill dies. Finally, the house of origin may refuse to accept the amendment but request that a conference committee be appointed. The other house usually agrees to the request, and the presiding officer of each house appoints members to the conference committee. Conference committees Utah Territory The Territory of Utah was an organized incorporated territory of
Utah State Legislature - Misplaced Pages Continue
3360-494: The basis of representation in most state legislatures was modeled on that of the U.S. Congress : the state senators represented geographical units, while members of the larger chamber represented population. In Reynolds v. Sims the Supreme Court decided upon the one man, one vote standard for state legislatures and invalidated representation based on geographical units regardless of population. (The ruling does not affect
3440-588: The bill, return the bill to the Senate Rules Committee, substitute the bill, vote the bill out of committee with a favorable recommendation, or vote the bill out of committee with an unfavorable recommendation. Interim committees fulfill essentially the same functions as standing committees and are differentiated from standing committees in that they meet during the interim between legislative sessions to discuss bills, to study issues, and to recommend bills for consideration. Interim committees may take
3520-428: The bill, the entire legislature gives consideration to its passage. At this time, the bill may be studied in detail, debated, amended, and read at length before final passage. If the majority vote in favor of the bill, it is recorded as passed. Transmission to second house A bill that is passed in one house is transmitted, along with a formal message, to the other house. If the bill is not reported from committee or
3600-413: The bills that have been referred to them to decide if the assigned bills should be reported for further action. For most bills, the recommendations of the committee are followed, although either house is free to accept or reject the action of the committee. Bills reported favorably by a committee may be placed on a regular calendar (the agenda of the deliberative body). Most of the work of the legislature
3680-409: The budget, including all appropriations, are approved by this committee, which are then turned into the so-called "Bill of Bills" at the end of the session. There are eleven Utah Senate standing committees and fifteen Utah House of Representatives standing committees. A standing committee can take the following actions on a bill after it is assigned to the committee: amend the bill, hold the bill, table
3760-421: The calendar for the next legislative day. This second reading is made by title only. The regular calendar is a list of bills that have been favorably reported from committee and are ready for consideration by the membership of the entire house. Third reading Regardless of where a bill is placed on the calendar, once the bill is considered and adopted, this is called the third reading. At this third reading of
3840-458: The caucus with the most members in that house. The minority party caucus elects a minority leader , minority whip , assistant minority whip and includes one additional leadership position of minority caucus manager to offset the Speaker of the House and President of the Senate who are traditionally members of the majority caucus yet are elected by the entire membership of their respective bodies. Legislative committees serve an important function in
3920-696: The cause of their flight from their previous homes and center back East in Nauvoo, Illinois , in the United States, trekking westward across the continent to the Great Salt Lake basin after being persecuted and forcibly removed from their settlements in several Eastern states. Although the Mormons were now the majority in the Great Salt Lake basin, the western area of the new territory soon began to attract many non-Mormon settlers, especially after
4000-584: The discovery of gold at Breckenridge in Utah Territory in 1859 (ten years after the first mineral findings along the American River in California , resulting in the phenomenal California gold rush of 1849-1855 there). So also in that same year of 1861, additional legislative action was taken by the Congress and the new 16th President Abraham Lincoln (1809–1865, served 1861–1865), to take
4080-634: The discovery of silver at the famous Comstock Lode ore deposits in the Virginia City area, east of the Sierra Nevada mountain ranges and Lake Tahoe (of present-day western Nevada ) in 1858 . Only three years later on the eve of the outbreak of the American Civil War in 1861 , and partly as a result of this, with its importance of the recovered silver bullion for Federal Treasury coffers plus huge growth in population with
SECTION 50
#17327767624854160-584: The extreme southwest corner of present-day Wyoming . When the Mormon pioneers moving westward across the Great Plains began settling the Salt Lake Valley around the Great Salt Lake in 1847 and for many years afterward, they relied on existing institutions within The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints ( Mormon church ) or the secular civil governments. The Utah Territory
4240-424: The first reading of the bill. Because a bill is usually read by title only, it is important that the title give the members notice of the subject matter contained in the bill. A 2013 study of state legislatures found that of the 99 studied, about half, 53, had roll rates below 5% . And most, 83, had roll rates below 10% . When a bill passes where most votes are from the minority party and "moderate" members of
4320-488: The influx of prospecting miners (and assorted supporting commercial business interests) and with the subsequent intensive deep shaft industrial mining and drilling, the new Nevada Territory was then created out of the western part of the previous Utah Territory of a decade before. Non-Mormons also entered the opposite side in the easternmost part of the territory during the Pikes Peak Gold Rush , resulting in
4400-567: The larger chamber is called the House of Representatives. Five states designate the larger chamber the assembly, three states call it the House of Delegates, and one has just one chamber. Members of the larger chamber usually serve for terms of two years. The larger chamber customarily has the exclusive power to initiate taxing legislation and articles of impeachment . Prior to the United States Supreme Court decisions Baker v. Carr (1962) and Reynolds v. Sims (1964),
4480-608: The legislature is considered full-time, the session may last all year, with periodic breaks for district work. Some states have varying lengths for odd-numbered and even-numbered years, or allow for a fixed number of either legislative or calendar days. Georgia for example, allows only 40 legislative days per year, and Wyoming allows 60 legislative days per term and no more than 40 per one calendar year. Whereas in Michigan , New Jersey , New York (in odd-numbered years), Ohio , Pennsylvania and Wisconsin (in odd-numbered years),
4560-452: The legislature often accepts the final recommendations of its standing committees. As has been noted, however, the legislature does not completely abdicate its responsibility for the consideration of pending bills. If the need arises, the members of either house can force a committee to take action on a bill, or they can ignore the committee's recommendations. Pocket veto and discharge petitions Pocket veto powers are common, which allows
4640-862: The legislature the legislative assembly . The responsibilities of a state legislature vary from state to state, depending on state's constitution . The primary function of any legislature is to create laws. State legislatures also approve budget for state government. They may establish government agencies, set their policies, and approve their budgets. For instance, a state legislature could establish an agency to manage environmental conservation efforts within that state. In some states, state legislators elect other officials, such as governor. State legislatures often have power to regulate businesses operating within their jurisdiction. They also regulate courts within their jurisdiction. This includes determining types of cases that can be heard, setting court fees, and regulating attorney conduct. Other responsibilities Under
4720-399: The manner of appointing the state's presidential electors . Formerly, state legislatures appointed the U.S. Senators from their respective states until the ratification of the 17th Amendment in 1913 required the direct election of senators by the state's voters. Sometimes what the legislature wishes to accomplish cannot be done simply by the passage of a bill, but rather requires amending
4800-551: The northwestern one-third of their country) following their defeat in the Mexican–American War .of 1846 - 1848 . The creation of the new Territory of Utah around the Great Basin and the Great Salt Lake was part of the elements of agreements in the political Compromise of 1850 made in the national capital of Washington, D.C. that sought to preserve the balance of power between Southern slave states and free states in
4880-401: The number of bills that a legislator can introduce per year according to NCSL . Most limits are set by internal legislative rules, while Louisiana's legislature is limited by constitutional amendment. Generally, the legislative bodies and their committees use either Mason's Manual of Legislative Procedure or an amended form thereof. During official meetings, a professional parliamentarian
SECTION 60
#17327767624854960-486: The occupation of the Mexican capital of Mexico City by Invading American military forces and their surrender with the end of the brief war. The peace treaty later passing in Congress in the upper chamber of the U.S. Senate , (which approves all foreign treaties according to the U.S. Constitution ) and the lower chamber of the House of Representatives voted in the subsequent supplemental legislation in favor of organizing
5040-545: The office of a state senator or representative, a person must be a citizen of the United States, be at least 25 years of age, be a qualified voter in the district from which elected, and must be a resident of the State of Utah for three years and a resident of the district from which elected for six months. There are no term limitations for either the Utah House of Representatives or the Utah Senate. The annual General Session
5120-473: The organization of the Territory, second church president Young was inaugurated as its first territorial Governor of Utah . The first Territorial Capital City and Capitol building was located 1850 to 1856 in the small town of Fillmore, Utah , named for the new 13th President Millard Fillmore , who approved and signed the Congressional organic act and territorial erection bill of September 1850, and
5200-469: The organization of the territory and its admission to the Union in 1896 as the 45th State of Utah , long after the admission of other federal territories created after it. In contrast, the Nevada Territory to the west, although more sparsely populated, was admitted to the Union in 1864 in the midst of the ongoing American Civil War only three years after its territorial formation, and Colorado
5280-593: The same actions on a bill as a standing committee. Over the years there have been many changes to the structure of the legislature, the number of Senators and Representatives, and the location of the Capitol building. Early on, the Council House served as a meeting place for the Utah Territorial Legislative Assembly. In 1851, the assembly designated Fillmore in Millard County as the capital city and ordered construction of
5360-639: The same day that the State of California was admitted to the Union as the 31st state (and the first time the American Union jumping across the North American continent to the opposite Pacific Ocean west coast). Plus the original larger New Mexico Territory in the Great Southwest was added and erected from the southern portion of the huge Mexican Cession in 1849 of former Centralist Republic of Mexico lands, (which amounted to
5440-404: The seats in the Utah House being up for election every two years. Each body elects its own leadership and is responsible for determining its own rules of procedures. The members of both houses of the Utah Legislature are elected on a partisan basis, and they conduct their proceedings including the elections of leadership according to membership in a party caucus . Currently, the state of Nebraska
5520-400: The sessions usually last all year. Four state legislatures – Montana , Nevada , North Dakota and Texas – meet only biennially. In the early 1960s, only 19 legislatures met annually, but by the mid-1970s, it had increased to 41. The latest legislature to switch to annual sessions was Oregon in 2011, following a voter-approved ballot measure. Many state legislators meet every year at
5600-525: The small local government was set up here including the meetings of the Territorial Assembly, although first Governor and second L.D.S. church president Brigham Young remained mostly in his Beehive House (current historic site) residence in Salt Lake City, but traveling to Fillmore 1850 to 1856, until his death in 1877 . The capital of Utah Territory was relocated that year of 1856 to the major and largest town of Salt Lake City , which built
5680-420: The state judiciary . A state is permitted to use a parliamentary system , or any other system of government, if it so desired. In 27 states, the legislature is called the legislature or the state legislature , while in 19 states the legislature is called the general assembly . In Massachusetts and New Hampshire , the legislature is called the general court , while North Dakota and Oregon designate
5760-487: The state constitution that changed the legislative start date from a constitutionally mandated fourth Monday of January to a date set by state law (thereby making it easier to change the start date if necessary). Current state law requires the start date of the Utah State Legislature to be the first Tuesday after the third Monday in January for an annual 45-day session. The Utah State Legislature meets in
5840-414: The state constitution. Each state has specified steps intended to make it difficult to alter the constitution without the sufficient support of either the legislature, or the people, or both. All states except Nebraska have a bicameral legislature. The smaller chamber is called the senate, usually referred to as the upper house. This chamber usually has the exclusive power to confirm appointments made by
5920-433: The state's operating and capital budgets, which may begin as a legislative proposal or a submission by the governor. In most states, a new state legislature convenes in January of the odd-numbered year after the election of members to the larger chamber. The period during which the legislature remains in session varies by state. In states where the legislature is considered part-time, a session may last several months; where
6000-501: The state. The current party composition of the Utah Senate is: The current party composition of the Utah House is: The Utah Legislature is a bicameral, partisan body composed of a lower chamber which is the Utah House of Representatives with 75 members, and upper chamber which is the Utah Senate , with 29 members. State senators serve four-year terms with half the seats in the Utah Senate being up for election every two years and state representatives serve two-year terms with all
6080-450: The terms of Article V of the U.S. Constitution , state lawmakers retain the power to ratify Constitutional amendments which have been proposed by both houses of Congress and they also retain the ability to call for a national convention to propose amendments to the U.S. Constitution. After the convention has concluded its business 75% of the states will ratify what the convention has proposed. Under Article II , state legislatures choose
6160-402: The territory. An example being that in 1873, the territory legislature gave to Governor / President Young the exclusive right to manufacture and distil whiskey . Mormon governance in the territory was regarded as controversial by much of the rest of the nation, partly fed by continuing lurid newspaper depictions of the polygamy marriage practiced by the settlers, which itself had been part of
6240-507: The year before) with its capital as Salt Lake City and with proposed borders that encompassed the entire Great Basin and the watershed of the Colorado River , including all or part of nine current U.S. states in the southwest. The Mormon settlers had drafted a state constitution in 1849 and Deseret had become the de facto government in the Great Basin by the time of the creation of the subsequent Federal Utah Territory. Following
6320-546: Was admitted in 1876 during the American Centennial celebration year , fifteen years after first becoming a territory. The Utah state coat of arms appears on the state seal and state flag. The beehive was chosen as the emblem for the provisional State of Deseret in 1848 and represents the state's industrious and hard-working inhabitants, and the virtues of thrift and perseverance. The sego lilies on either side symbolize peace. The first flag to represent
6400-514: Was organized by an Organic Act of the United States Congress , approved by the newly succeeded 13th President Millard Fillmore (1800–1874, served 1850–1853), only two months after the former Vice President acceded to the higher office upon the sudden death in July 1850 of his military general predecessor Zachary Taylor . The Utah Territory bill was approved by him in September 1850 , on
#484515