The Utah Legislature operates on a part-time basis, convening for a 45-day General Session each year from January to March. However, the legislative process doesn’t halt once this session concludes. From May through November (excluding July), lawmakers engage in Interim Sessions—monthly meetings that are a crucial part in shaping their legislative agenda.
What is the Interim Session?
The Interim Session comprises a series of committee meetings and activities that occur monthly between the annual General Sessions. These sessions provide legislators with the opportunity to delve deeper into policy issues, conduct research, gather input from experts and, at times, the public, and draft legislation for future consideration.
Interim committees, composed of members from both the House and Senate, focus on specific policy areas such as education, health, transportation, and judiciary. Appropriations committees, also composed of both representatives and senators, occasionally meet as well to dive into budget issues.
What happens during the Interim Session?
Interim Sessions serve multiple functions:
- Policy Development: Committees study key issues facing the state, often based on items not addressed during the General Session. They listen to expert and public testimony to determine whether to recommend legislation and vote to prioritize particular bills for the upcoming General Session or future special sessions.
- Budget Preparation: Appropriations subcommittees engage in detailed budgetary reviews, considering every program in the state budget over a five-year cycle. This process allows for budget adjustments, program evaluations, and recommendations for statute amendments, ensuring fiscal responsibility and effective allocation of resources.
- Public Engagement: Interim Sessions are open to the public, providing opportunities for citizens to attend committee meetings and stay informed about legislative developments. Meetings are held at the Utah State Capitol complex and are also live-streamed and recorded for broader accessibility. Activists and advocacy groups, such as Better Utah, regularly attend meetings and provide updates to their constituencies on what took place and how you can get involved.
How is the Interim Session different from the General Session?
While the General Session is characterized by a fast-paced environment where bills are introduced, debated, and passed within a limited timeframe, the Interim Session allows for more in-depth exploration of policy matters. Experts and officials from the executive branch are invited to present on policy issues and, at times, lawmakers even take field trips to tour off-site locations related to their subject areas.
This slower pace also gives constituents more of an opportunity to reach out to their representatives and senators and discuss issues that are important to themselves or their communities. Lawmakers are able to start opening bill files at the beginning of May, so they can bring constituent ideas to life if legislation is necessary to address them and work on crafting the language of those bills in a more relaxed environment outside of the legislative session.
During the General Session, standing committees are composed exclusively of members from either the House or Senate. In contrast, Interim Committees are joint committees that include members from both chambers, fostering collaborative discussions and comprehensive policy analysis.
Why is the Interim Session important?
The Interim Session plays a vital role in the legislative process by allowing lawmakers to:
- Respond to Emerging Issues: Interim Sessions enable the legislature to address new challenges and evolving needs promptly, ensuring that policies remain relevant and effective.
- Thoroughly Vet Legislation: With more time for discussion and analysis, legislators can refine proposed bills, address potential issues, and build consensus before the General Session.
How can you get involved in the Interim Session?
Citizens are encouraged to participate in the Interim Sessions by:
- Attending Meetings: Interim committee meetings are open to the public, and schedules are available on the Utah Legislature’s website.
- Providing Input: Public comments are sometimes welcomed during interim committee meetings, offering a chance to influence policy discussions and decisions. If there isn’t a public comment period, constituents are encouraged to email their lawmakers with thoughts on the issue or proposed bill.
- Staying Informed: By following interim activities, residents can stay updated on legislative priorities and developments that may impact their communities.
In summary, the Utah Legislature’s Interim Session is a critical period for policy development, budget preparation, and public engagement. By participating during the interim period between legislative sessions, you can play an active role in shaping the laws and policies that impact your life and those of your families and communities.
Stay Informed!
Get daily legislative email updates straight to your inbox so you can stay up to date on what's happening on the hill. Never miss a key vote or issue debate!
Sign Up Here
