(KCPW News) A bill that would allow Utah’s Constitutional Revision and Tax Review commissions to convene only when requested by the Governor or the legislature passed the House of Representatives today. Republican Representative Mel Brown, a former member of the CRC, says it would prohibit the commission from making unsolicited recommendations to lawmakers.
“I would hate to see us set ourselves up as the only source of wisdom and understanding, and we dictate to this commission the things that they can and can’t talk about and hear,” said Brown.
But, Republican Representative Mike Noel pointed out that Utah is the only state with a permanent Constitutional Review Commission, and added that the commission’s presence often delays the work of lawmakers.
“I feel like it dilutes our power as a legislature to be able to make the laws and deal with the legislative issues that we have when we have to go through this process,” said Noel. “This is our responsibility as a legislature. Do not dilute the power that we have here to make the laws that the people want.”
An amended version of Senate Bill 44 passed the House by a vote of 47-24. The Senate must approve the amendments before the bill goes to the Governor for his signature.
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