HR 7

Enrolled Copy  H.R. 7
1House Rules Modifications
                                      2026 GENERAL SESSION
                                           STATE OF UTAH
                                Chief Sponsor: James A. Dunnigan
2
3  LONG TITLE
4  General Description:
5      This rules resolution modifies House Rules.
6  Highlighted Provisions:
7      This resolution:
8      ▸ defines "sponsor's supporting information";
9      ▸ allows a chief sponsor of legislation to provide the sponsor's supporting information,
10  subject to certain requirements;
11      ▸ requires a legislative sponsor to sit at the presenter's table while a standing committee
12  considers the legislative sponsor's legislation, with exceptions;
13      ▸ modifies the process by which a standing committee chair allows a response to motions;
14      ▸ amends the definition of "nonbinding resolution";
15      ▸ clarifies that reinstating a word or words does not count toward the word limit under a
16  verbal amendment;
17      ▸ allows legislation assigned to the consent calendar to be reassigned to the third reading
18  calendar, under certain circumstances;
19      ▸ modifies the prohibited references on the floor; and
20      ▸ makes technical and conforming changes.
21  Money Appropriated in this Bill:
22      None
23  Other Special Clauses:
24      This resolution provides a special effective date.
25  Legislative Rules Affected:
26  AMENDS:
27      HR3-2-305 (Effective upon final passage)
28      HR3-2-313 (Effective upon final passage)
H.R. 7  Enrolled Copy
29HR3-2-314 (Effective upon final passage)
30HR3-2-405 (Effective upon final passage)
31HR3-2-406 (Effective upon final passage)
32HR4-3-301 (Effective upon final passage)
33HR4-4-301 (Effective upon final passage)
34HR4-6-105.5 (Effective upon final passage)
35   ENACTS:
36HR1-10-102 (Effective 03/07/26)
37
38   Be it resolved by the House of Representatives of the state of Utah:
39Section 1. HR1-10-102 is enacted to read:
40HR1-10-102 (Effective 03/07/26). Sponsor's supporting information.
41   (1) As used in this rule, "sponsor's supporting information" means a document that contains
42information in support of legislation, including:
43(a) the chief sponsor's policy objective;
44(b) the chief sponsor's description of the legislation's anticipated impact; or
45(c) any other information related to the legislation that the chief sponsor wishes to
46convey.
47   (2) A sponsor's supporting information is not part of the legislation.
48   (3) Subject to Subsections (4) and (5), a chief sponsor may provide sponsor's supporting
49information:
50(a) to the chief clerk of the House; and
51(b) anytime after the chief sponsor's legislation is numbered and before the Legislature
52adjourns sine die the legislative session during which the legislation is introduced.
53   (4) A chief sponsor shall ensure that the sponsor's supporting information:
54(a) is a portable document format file;
55(b) does not exceed the equivalent of two standard letter-size pages;
56(c) includes:
57(i) the chief sponsor's name;
58(ii) the legislation's number and, if the supporting information relates to substitute
59legislation, the substitute number; and
60(iii) the following statement at the bottom of the first page: "DISCLAIMER: The
61supporting information contained in this document is provided by the legislation's
62chief sponsor and has not been reviewed for accuracy. This supporting
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63information is not an official part of the legislation and may not be used as
64evidence of the Legislature's intent."
65  (5) A chief sponsor may replace the sponsor's supporting information provided under this
66      rule only if the replacement:
67      (a) updates the sponsor's supporting information because the legislation is amended or
68substituted; or
69      (b) corrects a factual error.
70  (6) The chief clerk of the House or the chief clerk's designee shall ensure that a sponsor's
71      supporting information, if provided, is publicly accessible on the chief sponsor's
72      webpage through the House's website.
73Section 2. HR3-2-305 is amended to read:
74HR3-2-305 (Effective upon final passage). Four phases when considering
75  legislation.
76  (1) Legislation under consideration by a standing committee is subject to four distinct
77      phases during a committee meeting:
78      (a) the sponsor's presentation as provided in HR3-2-306;
79      (b) clarifying questions as provided in HR3-2-307;
80      (c) public comment as provided in HR3-2-308; and
81      (d) committee action as provided in HR3-2-309.
82  (2) A standing committee may not consider legislation unless the legislative sponsor is
83      present.
84  (3)(a) Except as provided in Subsection (3)(c), a legislative sponsor shall sit at the
85      presenter's table while a standing committee considers the legislative sponsor's
86      legislation.
87      (b) Subsection (3)(a) applies regardless of whether the legislative sponsor is a member
88of the standing committee.
89      (c) A legislative sponsor may sit with the audience during the public comment phase, at
90the chair's discretion.
91Section 3. HR3-2-313 is amended to read:
92HR3-2-313 (Effective upon final passage). Chair to allow response to motions
93  before placing motions for a vote.
94  (1) After [the] a chair accepts an original motion, and before the chair places the original
95      motion for a vote, the chair shall permit, in the following order:
96      (a) the committee member who placed the original motion to speak to the original
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97motion;
98(b) except as provided in Subsection (3), the [chief] legislative sponsor of the legislation
99that is affected by the original motion to respond to the original motion;
100[(b)] (c) committee members to debate the original motion;
101(d) the legislative sponsor of the legislation that is affected by the original motion to
102respond to the debate; and
103[(c)] (e) the committee member who placed the original motion to have the final word on
104the motion.
105   (2) After a chair accepts a substitute motion, and before the chair places the substitute
106motion for a vote, the chair shall permit, in the following order:
107(a) the committee member who placed the substitute motion to speak to the substitute
108motion;
109(b) the committee member who placed the original motion to respond to the substitute
110motion;
111[(b)] (c) except as provided in Subsection (3), the [chief] legislative sponsor of the
112legislation that is affected by the substitute motion to respond to the substitute
113motion;
114[(c)] (d) committee members to debate the substitute motion;
115(e) the legislative sponsor of the legislation that is affected by the substitute motion to
116respond to the debate; and
117[(d)] (f) the committee member who placed the substitute motion to have the final word
118on the motion.
119   (3) For a motion or substitute motion to favorably recommend, permitting the legislative
120sponsor to respond under Subsection (1)(b) or (2)(c) is at the chair's discretion.
121Section 4. HR3-2-314 is amended to read:
122HR3-2-314 (Effective upon final passage). Chair to place motion for vote.
123      After the chair has permitted a committee member to sum on a motion as required under [
124   HR3-2-313(4)] HR3-2-313, the chair shall place the motion for a vote unless the motion is
125   withdrawn subject to the requirements of HR3-2-511.
126Section 5. HR3-2-405 is amended to read:
127HR3-2-405 (Effective upon final passage). Consent calendar -- Nonbinding
128   resolutions -- Committee recommendations.
129   [(1) As used in this rule, "nonbinding resolution":]
130[(a) means a resolution that:]
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131[(i) is primarily for the purpose of recognizing, honoring, or memorializing an
132individual, group, or event;]
133[(ii) requests, rather than compels, action or awareness by an individual or group; or]
134[(iii) is informational or promotional in nature; and]
135      [(b) does not mean:]
136[(i) a rules resolution;]
137[(ii) a resolution for a constitutional amendment; or]
138[(iii) any resolution that approves or authorizes any action, requires any substantive
139action to be taken, or results in a change in law, policy, or funding.]
140  (1) As used in this rule, "nonbinding resolution" means the same as that term is defined in
141      JR4-1-204.
142  (2)(a) A nonbinding resolution shall be placed on the consent calendar.
143      (b) A nonbinding resolution may be moved to the time certain calendar or other calendar
144by a majority vote of those present.
145  (3) On or before the 41st day of an annual general session, a standing committee may
146      recommend that legislation in the standing committee's possession be placed on the
147      consent calendar if:
148      (a) the committee approves a motion, by a unanimous vote of those present, to give the
149legislation a favorable recommendation;
150      (b) immediately[ subsequent to ] after that action, the committee approves a separate
151motion, by a unanimous vote of those present, to recommend that the legislation be
152placed on the consent calendar; and
153      (c) for Senate legislation, the Senate legislation is not a fiscal note bill, as that term is
154defined in JR4-4-101.
155Section 6. HR3-2-406 is amended to read:
156HR3-2-406 (Effective upon final passage). Amending legislation -- Verbal
157  amendments -- Amendments must be germane.
158  (1)(a) Subject to the provisions of this rule and HR3-2-306, and if recognized by the
159      chair during the presentation phase or the committee action phase, a committee
160      member may make a motion to amend the legislation that is under consideration.
161      (b)(i) A committee member may propose a verbal amendment to the legislation under
162consideration if the amendment contains 15 or fewer words.
163(ii) Unless the amendment contains 15 or fewer words, before proposing a motion to
164amend, a committee member shall ensure that a copy of the proposed amendment
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165is available online.
166(iii) Each word inserted shall count as one of the 15 words permitted under a verbal
167amendment, except that:
168(A) numbering shall not be counted as a word;
169(B) [instructions to delete ] deleting or reinstating a word or words shall not count
170as a word; and
171(C) a word or an exact phrase that is inserted in multiple locations shall only be
172counted for the first insertion.
173   (2)(a) A committee member may only make a motion to amend that is germane to the
174subject of the legislation under consideration.
175(b) A committee member who believes that an amendment is not germane to the subject
176of the legislation may make a point of order or appeal as described in [HR3-2-506]
177HR3-2-507.
178   (3)(a) A committee member may not propose an amendment to legislation that:
179(i) adds or removes an entire section from the legislation; or
180(ii) modifies the legislation's effective date.
181(b) To change legislation as described in Subsection (3)(a), a committee member may,
182subject to HR3-2-407, make a motion to substitute the legislation.
183Section 7. HR4-3-301 is amended to read:
184HR4-3-301 (Effective upon final passage). Amendments in order on third
185   reading -- 15 word rule -- Passage of amendments by a majority vote.
186   (1) Subject to Subsections (2) and (3), a motion to amend a piece of legislation is in order
187on third reading.
188   (2)(a) A representative may verbally propose an amendment to legislation if the
189amendment contains 15 or fewer words.
190(b) Unless the amendment contains 15 or fewer words, before a representative makes a
191motion to amend, the representative shall ensure that a copy of the proposed
192amendment is available online.
193(c) Each word inserted shall count as one of the 15 words permitted under a verbal
194amendment, except that:
195(i) numbering shall not be counted as a word;
196(ii) [instructions to delete ] deleting or reinstating a word or words shall not count as a
197word; and
198(iii) a word or an exact phrase that is inserted in multiple locations shall only be
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199counted for the first insertion.
200  (3)(a) A representative may not propose an amendment to legislation that:
201(i) adds or removes an entire section from the legislation; or
202(ii) modifies the legislation's effective date.
203      (b) To change legislation as described in Subsection (3)(a), a representative may, subject
204to Part 2, Substitute Legislation, make a motion to substitute the legislation.
205  (4) A constitutional amendment, resolution, or bill requiring a constitutional two-thirds vote
206      for final passage, may be amended by a majority vote.
207  (5) When legislation is amended by the House, the chief clerk shall:
208      (a) for each page of the legislation modified by a House amendment, cause a new page
209to be printed that clearly identifies each House amendment to that page; and
210      (b) print that new page on lilac-colored paper.
211Section 8. HR4-4-301 is amended to read:
212HR4-4-301 (Effective upon final passage). Consent calendar.
213  (1) The presiding officer shall place legislation on the consent calendar if:
214      (a) a standing committee report recommends that the legislation be placed on the
215consent calendar and the standing committee report is adopted by the House; or
216      (b) the legislation is a nonbinding resolution as provided in HR3-2-405.
217  (2) If the chief clerk receives written objections to [a piece of ]legislation from six or more
218      representatives, the chief clerk shall:
219      (a) remove the legislation from the consent calendar;
220      (b) inform the sponsor that the legislation has been removed from the consent calendar;
221and
222      (c) place the legislation at the bottom of the third reading calendar.
223  (3) Legislation that has been assigned to the consent calendar may be reassigned to the third
224      reading calendar by the House by majority vote upon motion from the floor.
225  [(3)] (4) When legislation is removed from the consent calendar under this rule, the
226      presiding officer shall inform the House of its removal.
227  [(4)] (5)(a) If, after two calendar days, no more than five members have registered
228      written objections to the legislation with the chief clerk:
229(i) the legislation shall be read the third time;
230(ii) the presiding officer shall grant the sponsor of the legislation two minutes to
231introduce and explain the legislation; and
232(iii) the presiding officer shall pose the question and take the final vote on the
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233legislation.
234(b) The presiding officer may not allow debate on legislation on the consent calendar.
235   [(5)] (6)(a) If the representative sponsoring the legislation on the consent calendar is
236absent from the floor when the legislation is ready to be read for the third time and
237considered for passage, a representative may make a motion to circle the legislation.
238(b) If the motion to circle is successful and the representative sponsoring the legislation
239has not moved to uncircle the legislation before floor time is recessed or adjourned,
240the bill shall be placed on the bottom of the third reading calendar.
241Section 9. HR4-6-105.5 is amended to read:
242HR4-6-105.5 (Effective upon final passage). Prohibited references on the floor.
243   (1) During debate on the House floor, a representative may not:
244(a) allude to or discuss what was done or said in committee in relation to the legislation
245under debate, except that a representative may allude to or discuss information
246contained on a House or Senate committee report;
247(b) use a display, exhibit, demonstration, or prop, including an individual who is present
248on the House floor, to illustrate the representative's remarks or to emphasize the
249representative's position; or
250(c) read from a written, prepared speech unless the representative, during the debate,
251receives permission from the presiding officer.
252   (2) During debate on the House floor, a representative may use notes when delivering a
253speech.
254   (3)(a) Except as provided in Subsection (3)(b), when raising a matter of personal
255privilege on the House floor, a representative may not:
256(i) use a display, exhibit, demonstration, or prop to illustrate the representative's
257remarks or to emphasize the representative's position; or
258(ii) read from a written, prepared speech.
259(b) A representative may engage in an act prohibited under Subsection (3)(a) if the
260representative receives permission from the presiding officer immediately after
261raising the matter of personal privilege.
262   [(3)] (4) Nothing in this rule affects a representative's ability to seek approval in accordance
263with [HR1-4-302(14)] HR1-4-302(13) to have material placed on the representatives'
264desks.
265Section 10. Effective Date.
266   (1) Except as provided in Subsection (2), this resolution takes effect upon a successful vote
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267      for final passage.
268  (2) The actions affecting HR1-10-102 take effect on March 7, 2026.
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