I went to a presentation about states legislation. Here are my notes. Any misinformation is the fault of the note taker.
Info provided by Mike Kennedy state rep and state Auditor John Dougall.
Processing a bill through state legislators:
- Draft bill
- Rules committee
- Take to state congress
- House floor 38 off floor
- Senate rules
- Senate committee
- Senate floor
- Governor vote. Need a super majority for a veto on governor’s decision.
Law Bootleggers and Baptists: Baptists told of the evil of alcohol. It became illegal. Bootleggers made more money selling illegal alcohol. Look at any bill and look for unholy care. Those who make the moral case are those who will make money.
Functions of State auditor department.
- Constitutional watchdog.
- Help citizens overlook institutions
- See how different cities spend their money.
- Transparent .utah.gov give financials of states cities and other government entities. Look at last fiscal year to see how your city council spends their money. https://www.utah.gov/transparency/
- Department can block funds if they don’t provide a budget.
- State audit budget. Financial audit. Organizations will try to make themselves look good.
- will review Federal agencies to make sure they’re following Federal regulations
- Performance audit efficiency of programs of gov.
- Special project: look for abuse.
- Can do data audit. The state collects citizen sensitive data > how is it protected.
Le.utah.gov >
- Track the bills of interest. It can tell you where in the legislative process they are.
- Can do a search by topic give me all bills on education.
- Tag a bill> change of status to get notified.
- Hb86 hate bill. See if your rep is on the committee. If yes, send an email the day before of your reviews on that bill.
- On emails to your legislators:
- Brief header on Subject line: Vote NO on Bill ABC123 (short name of bill)
- Top of your email, include your address and phone number. That way you show you are in their district.
- Give three short bullet points why they should vote Yes or No.
- Contact the day before
- Many time legislators don’t know what people want because they are not told and they only hear the voices of special interests.
- If you have an objection for a regulator be respectful, even with your city council. Best if you have a solution.
