The Gov't Relations Committee's 2024 Legislative Efforts & Updates

• Publication year: 2024
• Citation: Vol. 37 No. 4 Pg. 26
• Pages: 26

The Government Relations Committee's 2024 Legislative Efforts and Updates Vol. 37 No. 4 Pg. 26 Utah Bar Journal July 2024

Utah Law Developments

by Frank Pignanelli and Stephen Styler

Overview

Every legislative session has a different theme or flavor depending upon unique external and internal dynamics. The 2024 General Session possessed unusual characteristics. A noteworthy discussion topic among insiders and observers was the increasing workload on lawmakers. This year, 591 bills passed (out of 942 sponsored) - a record. The January 8 filing deadline for candidates seeking election to office created an unprecedented feature in that lawmakers were aware of their opponents during the session. Also, appropriations were more constrained as the budget surplus was more limited than prior bountiful years.

Bar Involvement

Because legislative activities regularly impact attorneys, either directly or indirectly, the Bar is vigilant in active monitoring and, when permitted, engagement on legislative deliberations. During the 2024 session, the Government Relations Committee (GRC) reviewed 280 bills and resolutions (almost a third of all legislation). Each of these bills and resolutions were provided to the appropriate sections for their examination. The results of this scrutiny, and accompanying recommendations, were expressed to the full GRC.

The GRC is co-chaired by Jaqualin Peterson and Sara Bouley, and each section of the Bar has a designated representative.

FRANKPIGNANELLI is a licensed Utah lawyer and a lobbyist for the Utah State Bar.

The GRC meets weekly during the legislative session, with meetings conducted online again this year as a virtual setting provides greater accessibility to participate in these discussions. The Bar posts its legislative positions to the public on its website so practitioners are provided transparency and clarity into this process.

The Utah State Constitution mandates a forty-five-day legislative session, which adjourns in early March. But within those parameters, lawmakers impose a heavy workload upon themselves, lobbyists, and many organizations. The GRC performs a tremendous service to Utah attorneys by expeditiously examining so much legislation. The Bar is grateful to GRC Chairs Peterson and Bouley, and the entire committee for their dedication.

The Utah State Bar's legislative activities are limited by design and follow United States Supreme Court precedent outlined in Keller v. State Bar of California, 496 U.S. 1 (1990). When the Utah Supreme Court adopted rules that directed the Utah State Bar's engagement in legislative activities, it identified specific guardrails to align with the limitations expressed in Keller. These defined areas of the Bar's involvement in legislative activities include matters concerning the courts, rules of evidence and procedure, the administration of justice, the practice of law, and access to the legal system. After receiving recommendations from the GRC, the Commission votes on whether to take a position on

STEPHEN STYLER is a licensed Utah lawyer and a lobbyist for the Utah State Bar.

any particular piece of legislation, with consideration for whether it falls within the Bar's purview.

Many of the bills sent by the GRC to Bar sections prompted discussions between lawyers and lawmakers. Legislators have expressed their gratitude and appreciation for this expertise. (Of course, these communications were conducted with the understanding the attorney was not representing the Bar but providing advice as a practitioner.)

Session...