Public Participation in the Process: Standing Committees
Standing Committees allow citizens to participate in the lawmaking process. Citizens can attend, listen, and even speak at all Standing Committee meetings.
Following an agenda set by the committee’s Chair, bill sponsors present one by one. A bill sponsor is a legislative member that shepherds a bill through the legislative process. The bill sponsor describes the bill and, often, invites a few people (e.g., constituents, business representatives, lobbyists) to describe why the bill is needed. Committee members will ask questions. Then, the Chair will invite members of the public to speak.
If you have worked with the bill sponsor to create a bill, you have specific expertise, or a legislator knows you feel strongly about a bill, he/she may ask you to speak to the bill. Even if not invited to speak, members of the public are provided time to address the Committee. If you support or oppose the bill, now is the time to speak up.
Though speaking at a committee meeting might feel intimidating, legislators rely on the testimony of experts, stakeholders and the public. Succinctly make your comments. Short-and-to-the-point comments tend to hold more sway than longer, rambling comments.
Committee meetings are not the place to protest. Legislative rules prohibit signs, cheering, booing, and clapping in Standing Committee meetings.
The Utah Legislature needs an engaged public to help push it towards better, stronger, and more-thoughtful laws. Consider engaging yourself in this year’s session by sitting in on committee meetings and even speaking to bills where your voice can contribute.