[{"_1":2,"_88":-5,"_89":-5},"loaderData",{"_3":4,"_26":27},"root",{"_5":6,"_17":10,"_18":19,"_20":21,"_22":10,"_23":-5,"_24":-5,"_25":10},"user",{"_7":8,"_9":10,"_11":10,"_12":-5,"_13":-5,"_14":15,"_16":-5},"roles",[],"isAuthenticated",false,"isPremium","planName","subscriptionStatus","featureFlags",{},"insightsBudget","isDevelopmentHost","userPreferences",{},"recaptchaSiteKey","6LcvOJcUAAAAAHsB-gPGfGktcRlKpH7OTIU_dMTD","isImpersonating","impersonation","affiliateStatus","isFreedomPortal","routes/v2/article/layout",{"_28":29,"_30":31},"notFound",true,"relatedArticles",[32,76],{"_33":34,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":40,"_41":42,"_43":44,"_45":46,"_47":48,"_49":50,"_51":52,"_53":54,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":60,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":66,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":72,"_73":74,"_75":74},"mediaId",6359284,"mediaKeyId","2187647-a4ca8bb55686b6b8e2da606830a4297a","parentId",2187647,"title","House Rules committee unanimously backs measure to increase transparency in fiscal-note process","audioSeconds",450,"startMs",941810,"endMs",1392320,"viewUrl","/Search/View?dp=1&key=2187647-a4ca8bb55686b6b8e2da606830a4297a&start=941&end=1392","thumbnailUrl","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/2187647-a4ca8bb55686b6b8e2da606830a4297a/thumbnail_941810.jpg","articleUrl","/articles/6359284/Utah/House-Rules-committee-unanimously-backs-measure-to-increase-transparency-in-fiscal-note-process","mediaUrl","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6359284-2e866e58556b98446723adbafb8be715/orig.mp4?Expires=1771025220&Signature=ob9FKX~kv5pv6h2NoH3117QgaFhbO4vqDMGAOhPlmHSbCp5eWT28EWCqhiPSTGf3NQ2FBzXs2mQQdHpvPMDI6NI4IbYi1kM~OfPyZiPmRBQ7GMboDefPP-thgjOuzS~biXfvXmmSEKCLS6p21HzIf7Y0uBNJIdOc8wpxobL-SPaPnu3AKigmNWXfP8ulFkpkyaHWNSpWgaDBdvtUy4KQhehvbWI90ghzpaYBK3zOX-TtG3xROWNoSTYuJU-F~e-W77xVs1Edw8Hq3wU~10QEcb2sWwu3lv85nP1WM5SN58quTbeYWqTII08MmpYBGwtMz1ZVrKhoNgob19Bjj9lMHg__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","author","Utah State Legislature","date","2025-01-31T00:00:00Z","article","The House Rules Standing Committee on Jan. 31, 2025, unanimously recommended House Joint Resolution 2, a reintroduction by Representative Davie Provo that seeks greater transparency in the fiscal‑note process used to estimate the costs of legislation. Committee members voted to put the resolution on the consent calendar after a short presentation and brief discussion.

Representative Davie Provo told the committee HJR 2 is a carryover from the prior session and aims to give legislators more information about how fiscal notes are produced so sponsors can understand and, when necessary, adjust bills to address fiscal concerns. “You work really hard on a bill and then the bill disappears into the black hole… and out pops this fiscal note that doesn't make any sense,” Provo said, describing frustration with opaque agency analyses.

Provo said the current draft is a compromise intended to increase transparency without imposing an excessive administrative burden on fiscal analysts. The resolution would create a clarified process for legislators and fiscal analysts to work together on information used in fiscal notes; Provo said he and fiscal analysts discussed options to ensure the change would be executable.

Representative Burton moved that the committee favorably recommend HJR 2. Committee members voiced support during discussion and the committee endorsed placement on the consent calendar; Representative Provo agreed to provide lunch as a lighthearted aside and reiterated his intent to keep the measure nonburdensome.

The committee's roll call vote was recorded as unanimous in favor; the chair suggested the resolution would be appropriate for the consent calendar. No public commenters spoke on HJR 2 during the meeting.

If enacted, the resolution would not itself appropriate funds; rather, it aims to adjust the administrative process by which fiscal notes are developed and shared with legislators. The committee did not adopt amendments and provided no additional binding directions to staff at the meeting.","mediaType","Video","parentTitle","House Rules Committee - January 31, 2025","oneSentenceSummary","House Joint Resolution 2, reintroduced by Representative Davie Provo, would formalize a more transparent fiscal‑note process so legislators can better understand how agencies calculate costs; the committee voted unanimously to recommend the resolution and place it on the consent calendar.","taxTitle","2025 Utah Legislature, Utah Legislature, Utah Legislative Branch, Utah","taxId",78171,"location","Utah","headline","","shortSummary",{"_33":77,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":78,"_41":79,"_43":80,"_45":81,"_47":82,"_49":83,"_51":84,"_53":85,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":86,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":87,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":72,"_73":74,"_75":74},6359289,"House Rules committee holds resolution to let sponsors attach 500‑word statements to bill files",905,32780,938550,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=2187647-a4ca8bb55686b6b8e2da606830a4297a&start=32&end=938","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/2187647-a4ca8bb55686b6b8e2da606830a4297a/thumbnail_32780.jpg","/articles/6359289/Utah/House-Rules-committee-holds-resolution-to-let-sponsors-attach-500word-statements-to-bill-files","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6359289-7802efc6db61b559a7ecb5a779266c6d/orig.mp4?Expires=1771025220&Signature=lLJTgdxLZPaKZ2vYsDeCtGHItCOCMsR-hU~3OJGL2nISaRa9Xt05v4b3Y7gnxtL13EMSh-ygiO9IElm4vcTLoBOyKydQrJPVb9dc~nmljrHv2TkKS312zr52gwKFUqfdfqZVLNw9GeQMmPiDXSsMbX1DeoWUzjlYM1RCexYIe0GRPBwcxDzNHs4kKrkF2nx~XlAQ8ZQ4g5dRiB5ghXiLPFB3LY7~LcNnCjh1eSfAjq0Eay1i5KSwrEeQAikahh2HYLTWQc1NXo6-5Z1CQFmX7IwJumD3XRh8aG0468zcCXqegx2xV8BRziltp4jaE8wPQsuSsj5a3yuvAs8jz4JU9A__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","The House Rules Standing Committee on Jan. 31, 2025, debated House Joint Resolution 1, a proposal from Representative Thurston that would allow bill sponsors to attach a 500‑word statement to a bill’s online file explaining what the bill does, why it was introduced and where it came from. Representative Thurston presented the resolution and described it as a tool to help both legislators and the public quickly understand legislation.

The measure would not alter bill text, Representative Thurston said; instead the sponsor statement would appear as a separate, side‑linked document on the bill page and would be limited to 500 words and required to be “factually correct.” The sponsor noted the statement is intended to standardize material sponsors already sometimes distribute at committee or floor time so members can find it more easily.

Committee members who questioned the resolution focused on two main concerns: whether the statements could function as quasi‑intent language that courts or others might later treat as interpretive material, and whether the statements would appear too official and therefore be misconstrued by the public. “If we start writing statements about what the sponsor intends their legislation to do…how do you anticipate these statements not becoming quasi intent language?” asked Representative Peterson.

Thurston told the committee he and the drafting attorney considered those risks and said the statements would not be part of the bill and therefore would carry no additional legal weight beyond what sponsors already say in committee or on the floor. He also suggested the committee consider allowing upload of an 8.5‑by‑11 PDF so sponsors could include graphics or a one‑page explanation rather than limiting submissions strictly to plain text.

Other members expressed mixed views. Representative Burton said a labeled sponsor statement would make clear the content comes from the sponsor and might be useful to the public; Representative Peterson moved that the committee hold the measure to allow further consideration, citing the intent‑language risk and concerns about public perception. The committee took a roll call vote and the motion to hold HJR 1 passed four to three.

Votes at the committee roll call were recorded as: Burton — yes; Hollins — yes; Lee — yes; Matthews — no; Wilcox — no; Vice Chair Peterson — yes; Committee chair — no. The committee therefore held HJR 1 for further work.

Representative Thurston said after the vote that the idea is intended to standardize materials sponsors already prepare and that the committee could consider refinements such as permitting a one‑page PDF. No formal amendment or follow‑up direction was adopted at the meeting.

The hold means HJR 1 will not move forward from this meeting and could be revised and brought back to the committee at a later date.","A proposed rule to allow sponsors to post a 500‑word “sponsor statement” on bill files was held after committee members raised concerns it could be treated as intent language or appear too official; the motion to hold passed 4–3.","actionData","errors"]

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House Rules committee unanimously backs measure to increase transparency in fiscal-note process

House Rules committee holds resolution to let sponsors attach 500‑word statements to bill files