Utah State Legislature
General information
Type:	State legislature
Term limits:	None
Session start:	January 20, 2026
Website:	Official Legislature Page
Leadership
Senate President:	Stuart Adams (R)
House Speaker:	Mike Schultz (Utah) (R)
Majority Leader:	Senate:Kirk Cullimore (R) House:Casey Snider (R)
Minority Leader:	Senate:Luz Escamilla (D) House:Angela Romero (D)
Structure
Members:	29 (Senate), 75 (House)
Length of term:	4 years (Senate),2 years (House)
Authority:	Art VI, Utah Constitution
Salary:	$301/legislative day + per diem
Elections
Last election:	November 5, 2024
Next election:	November 3, 2026
Redistricting:	Redistricting Committee of the Utah Legislature handles redrawing boundaries

TheUtah State Legislature is thestate legislature ofUtah. It is abicameral body, comprising of theUtah House of Representatives, with 75 representatives, and theUtah State Senate, with 29 state senators.

The Legislature convenes at the Utah State Capitol in of Salt Lake City on the third Monday of January for an annual 45 day session.

Utah has a Republicantrifecta. The Republican Party controls the office of governor and both chambers of the state legislature.

See also:Utah House of Representatives,Utah State Senate,Utah Governor

Senate

TheUtah State Senate is theupper house of the Utah State Legislature. It consists of 29 state senators.

As of the 2020 Census, Utah state senators represented an average of112,940 residents. After the 2010 Census, each member represented95,544 residents.

Senators are elected to a four-year term, with half of all districts up for election every two years.

Click here for a list of members of this chamber.

Republicans won control of the Utah State Senate in 1978. In2024, they won a 23-6 majority.

The table below shows the partisan history of the Utah Senate following every general election from 1992 to 2024. All data from 2006 or earlier comes from Michael Dubin'sParty Affiliations in the State Legislatures (McFarland Press, 2007). Data after 2006 was compiled by Ballotpedia staff.

House of Representatives

See also:Utah House of Representatives

The House of Representatives is thelower house of the Utah State Legislature. It consists of 75 representatives.

As of the 2020 Census, Utah state representatives represented an average of43,670 residents. After the 2010 Census, each member represented36,944 residents.

Representatives are elected to two-year terms, with all districts up for every two years.

Click here for a list of members of this chamber.

Republicans won control of the Utah House of Representatives in 1976. In2024, they won a 61-14 majority.

The table below shows the partisan history of the Utah House following every general election from 1992 to 2024. All data from 2006 or earlier comes from Michael Dubin'sParty Affiliations in the State Legislatures (McFarland Press, 2007). Data after 2006 was compiled by Ballotpedia staff.

Elections

2026

See also:Utah State Senate elections, 2026 andUtah House of Representatives elections, 2026

Elections for theUtah State Senate will take place in 2026. The general election is onNovember 3, 2026. The primary isJune 23, 2026. The filing deadline wasJanuary 8, 2026.

Elections for theUtah House of Representatives will take place in 2026. The general election is onNovember 3, 2026. The primary isJune 23, 2026. The filing deadline wasJanuary 8, 2026.

2024

See also:Utah State Senate elections, 2024 andUtah House of Representatives elections, 2024

Elections for theUtah State Senate took place in 2024. The general election was onNovember 5, 2024. The primary wasJune 25, 2024. The filing deadline wasJanuary 8, 2024.

Republicans maintained a 23-6 majority in the Utah State Senate in the 2024 elections.

Elections for theUtah House of Representatives took place in 2024. The general election was onNovember 5, 2024. The primary wasJune 25, 2024. The filing deadline wasJanuary 8, 2024.

In the 2024 elections, Republicans maintained their 61-14 majority in the chamber.

2022

See also:Utah State Senate elections, 2022 andUtah House of Representatives elections, 2022

Elections for theUtah State Senate took place in 2022. The general election was on November 8, 2022. A primary was scheduled for June 28, 2022. The filing deadline was March 4, 2022.

Elections for theUtah House of Representatives took place in 2022. The general election was on November 8, 2022. A primary was scheduled for June 28, 2022. The filing deadline was March 4, 2022.

2020

See also:Utah State Senate elections, 2020 andUtah House of Representatives elections, 2020

Elections for the office ofUtah State Senate took place in 2020. The general election was held on November 3, 2020. A primary was scheduled for June 30, 2020. The filing deadline was March 19, 2020.

Elections for the office ofUtah House of Representatives took place in 2020. The general election was held on November 3, 2020. A primary was scheduled for June 30, 2020. The filing deadline was March 19, 2020.

2018

See also:Utah State Senate elections, 2018 andUtah House of Representatives elections, 2018

Elections for theUtah State Senate took place in 2018. The primary election took place on June 26, 2018.^[1] Democrats held ahybrid primary election and Republicans held aclosed primary election. The general election was held on November 6, 2018. The candidate filing deadline wasMarch 15, 2018.^[2]

Elections for theUtah House of Representatives took place in 2018. The primary election took place on June 26, 2018.^[3] Democrats held ahybrid primary election and Republicans held aclosed primary election. The general election was held on November 6, 2018. The candidate filing deadline wasMarch 15, 2018.^[4]

2016

See also:Utah State Senate elections, 2016 andUtah House of Representatives elections, 2016

Elections for theUtah State Senate took place in 2016. The primary election took place on June 28, 2016, and the general election was held on November 8, 2016. The candidate filing deadline was March 17, 2016.

Elections for theUtah House of Representatives took place in 2016. The primary election took place on June 28, 2016, and the general election was held on November 8, 2016. The candidate filing deadline was March 17, 2016.

2014

See also:Utah State Senate elections, 2014 andUtah House of Representatives elections, 2014

Elections for theUtah State Senate took place in 2014. A primary election took place on June 24, 2014. The general election was held onNovember 4, 2014. Thesignature filing deadline for candidates wishing to run in this election was March 20, 2014.

Elections for theUtah House of Representatives took place in 2014. A primary election took place on June 24, 2014. The general election was held onNovember 4, 2014. Thesignature filing deadline for candidates wishing to run in this election was March 20, 2014.

2012

See also:Utah State Senate elections, 2012 andUtah House of Representatives elections, 2012

Elections for the office of Utah State Senate took place in 2012. The primary election was held on June 26, 2012, and the general election was held onNovember 6, 2012. The candidate filing deadline was March 15, 2012.

Elections for the office of Utah House of Representatives took place in 2012. The primary election was held on June 26, 2012, and the general election was held onNovember 6, 2012. The candidate filing deadline was March 15, 2012.

2010

See also:Utah State Senate elections, 2010 andUtah House of Representatives elections, 2010

Elections for the office of Utah State Senate took place in 2010. The primary election was held on June 22, 2010, and the general election was held onNovember 2, 2010. The candidate filing deadline was March 19, 2010.

Elections for the office of Utah House of Representatives took place in 2010. The primary election was held on June 22, 2010, and the general election was held onNovember 2, 2010. The candidate filing deadline was March 19, 2010.

Sessions

Section 2 of Article VI of the Utah Constitution establishes that the Legislature is to convene a new session every two years on the second Monday in January. This means that the "2010 session" was actually a continuation of a regular session that convened in 2009. Section 16 of Article VI limits these regular sessions to sixty legislative days, except in cases of impeachment.^[5]

2025

See also:2025 Utah legislative session andDates of 2025 state legislative sessions

In 2025, the legislature was scheduled to convene on January 21, 2025, and adjourn on March 7, 2025.

Click [show] for past years' session dates.

2024 See also:2024 Utah legislative session andDates of 2024 state legislative sessions In 2024, the legislature was scheduled to convene on January 16, 2024, and adjourn on March 1, 2024. 2023 See also:2023 Utah legislative session andDates of 2023 state legislative sessions In 2023, the legislature was scheduled to convene on January 17, 2023, and adjourn on March 3, 2023. 2022 See also:2022 Utah legislative session andDates of 2022 state legislative sessions In 2022, the legislature was scheduled to convene on January 18, 2022, and adjourn on March 4, 2022. 2021 See also:2021 Utah legislative session andDates of 2021 state legislative sessions In 2021, the legislature was scheduled to convene on January 19, 2021, and adjourn on March 5, 2021. 2020 See also:2020 Utah legislative session andDates of 2020 state legislative sessions In 2020, the legislature was scheduled to convene on January 27, 2020, and adjourn on March 12, 2020. Effect of coronavirus pandemic See also:Changes to state legislative session dates in response to the coronavirus (COVID-19) pandemic, 2020 Coronavirus pandemic Select a topic from the dropdown below to learn more. Political responses overviewState reopening plansDocumenting America's Path to RecoveryElection changesChanges to vote-by-mail and absentee voting proceduresFederal responsesState responsesState executive ordersStay-at-home ordersMultistate agreementsNon-governmental reopening plansEvictions and foreclosures policiesTravel restrictionsEnacted state legislationState legislative session changesSchool closuresState court closuresInmate releasesLocal government responsesDiagnosed or quarantined politiciansBallot measure changesArguments about government responsesThe 1918 influenza pandemicPandemic Response Accountability CommitteeUnemployment filingsLawsuitsBallotpedia's polling on the coronavirus pandemicSubmit Several state legislatures had their sessions impacted as a result of the 2020 coronavirus pandemic. The Utah State Legislature adjourned on March 12, 2020. Special sessions were convened on April 16, 2020, April 23, 2020, and June 18, 2020. The legislature adjourned on June 20, 2020. A special session convened on August 20, 2020, and adjourned later that same day.[6][7] 2019 See also:2019 Utah legislative session andDates of 2019 state legislative sessions In 2019, the legislature was in session from January 28, 2019, through March 14, 2019. 2018 See also:2018 Utah legislative session andDates of 2018 state legislative sessions In 2018, the legislature was in session from January 22, 2018, through March 8, 2018. To read about notable events and legislation from this session, clickhere. 2017 See also:Dates of 2017 state legislative sessions In 2017, the legislature was in session from January 23, 2017, through March 9, 2017. The legislature held a special session on September 20. 2016 See also:Dates of 2016 state legislative sessions In 2016, the legislature was in session from January 25 through March 10. The legislature held a special session on May 18, 2016, over education funding and anti-monument legislation. 2015 See also:Dates of 2015 state legislative sessions In 2015, the legislature was in session from January 26 through March 12. The legislature held a special session on August 19, 2015, on prison relocation. Major issues in 2015 The major issue facing the Utah State Legislature was the quality of Utah's air. State RepresentativePatrice Arent (D) told reporters that clean-air bills were expected to receive support from both sides of the aisle because of an understanding that poor air quality can negatively impact the state's economy. According to Arent, bills the legislature considered in 2015 included funding for mass-transit, money for clean-air programs, and potential tax credits for energy-efficient vehicles.[8] 2014 See also:Dates of 2014 state legislative sessions In 2014, the legislature was in session from January 27 through March 14. Major issues in 2014 Major issues during the 2014 legislative session included LGBT antidiscrimination, giving protection to clergy who refuse to perform same-sex marriages, the state budget, education funding, and changing the position ofAttorney General of Utah from an elected position to an appointed one. 2013 See also:Dates of 2013 state legislative sessions In 2013, the legislature was in session from January 28 to March 14. Major issues in 2013 Major issues in the 2013 legislative session included ethics legislation, adoption rights, alcohol laws, and education funding.[9][10] 2012 See also:Dates of 2012 state legislative sessions In 2012, the legislature was in session from January 23 through March 8. Major issues in 2012 Major topics included a projected $13 billion budget, technology for students, unauthorized immigration, and infrastructure.[11] 2011 See also:Dates of 2011 state legislative sessions In 2011, the legislature was in session from January 24 through March 10.[12] A single day special session was called by GovernorGary Herbert (R) for July 27, to consider several issues, including adjustments to health insurance rates, liquor commission guidelines, judicial evaluations, and adopting another resolution supporting a federal balanced budget amendment.[13] Gov. Herbert called for a second special session for October 3, 2011, over redistricting issues. 2010 See also:Dates of 2010 state legislative sessions In 2010, the legislature was in session from January 25 to March 11.[14]

Role in state budget

See also:Utah state budget and finances

Utahon

Check outBallotpedia articles about policy in your state on:

Budgets •Civil liberties •Education •Elections •Energy •Environment •Healthcare •Pensions

The state operates on an annual budget cycle. The sequence of key events in the budget process is as follows:^[15]

1. Budget instructions are sent to state agencies inAugust of the year preceding the start of the new fiscal year.
2. Agencies submit their budget requests to thegovernor inOctober.
3. The governor submits his or her proposed budget to thestate legislature inDecember.
4. The legislature typically passes a budget inMarch. A simple majority is required to pass a budget. The fiscal year beginsJuly 1.

Utah is one of 44 states in which the governor hasline item veto authority.^[15][16]

The governor is statutorily required to submit a balanced budget to the legislature. The legislature is constitutionally required to adopt a balanced budget.^[15]

District maps

State Senate

State House

Veto overrides

See also:Veto overrides in state legislatures

State legislatures can override governors' vetoes. Depending on the state, this can be done during the regular legislative session, in a special session following the adjournment of the regular session, or during the next legislative session. The rules for legislative overrides of gubernatorial vetoes in Utah are listed below.

How many legislators are required to vote for an override? Two-thirds of members in both chambers.

How can vetoes be overridden after the legislature has adjourned?

Authority:Article VII, Section 8 of theUtah Constitution.

Redistricting

See also:Redistricting in Utah

In Utah, both congressional and state legislative district boundaries are ultimately enacted by thestate legislature. An advisory commission submits proposed maps to the legislature for its approval. This commission comprises the following seven members:^[17]

• One appointed by the governor, to serve as the chair of the commission;
• One appointed by the president of theUtah Senate;
• One appointed by the speaker of theUtah House of Representatives;
• One appointed by the leader of the largest minority political party in the Utah Senate;
• One appointed by the leader of the largest minority political party in the Utah House of Representatives;
• One appointed jointly by the leadership of the majority political party in the Utah Senate, president of the Utah Senate, and the leadership of the same political party in the Utah House of Representatives; and
• One appointed jointly by the leadership of the largest minority political party in the Utah Senate, and the leadership of the same political party in the Utah House of Representatives, including the speaker of the House, if the speaker is a member of the same political party.

The commission is required to select between one and three plans, with the affirmative votes of at least five members, to submit to the chief justice of the Utah Supreme Court. The chief justice is responsible for determining if the commission's plans meet redistricting standards. The commission then forwards the plans to the state legislature, which may decide whether to accept, amend, or reject the plans.

2020

See also:Redistricting in Utah after the 2020 census

Gov.Spencer Cox (R) signed new state legislative districts for both chambers into law on November 16, 2021. After Cox called a special session to begin on November 9, 2021, the Utah legislature voted to approve the House and Senate district maps on November 10, 2021. The House districts proposal passed the House in a 60-12 vote and cleared the Senate in a 25-3 vote. The House voted 58-13 to approve the Senate map and the Senate approved the proposal in a 26-2 vote.^[18][19] These maps took effect for Utah's 2022 legislative elections.

Both proposals differed from those presented to the legislative committee by Utah's Independent Redistricting Commission on November 1, 2021.^[20] The commission presented 12 maps (three each for House, Senate, congressional, and school board districts) to the Legislative Redistricting Committee, one of which was submitted by a citizen.^[21]

2010

See also:Redistricting in Utah after the 2010 census

Utah received its local census data on February 24, 2011. The state showed a 23.8 percent growth rate, with no county losing population. The largest cities showed mixed growth: Salt Lake City grew by 2.6 percent, West Valley City grew by 18.9 percent, Provo grew by 7.0 percent, West Jordan grew by 51.8 percent, and Orem grew by 4.7 percent. In regards to counties, Salt Lake grew by 14.6 percent, Utah grew 40.2 percent, Davis grew by 28.2 percent, Weber grew by 17.7 percent, and Washington grew by 52.9 percent.^[22]

The Republican-controlled Legislature passed new maps on October 4. GovernorGary Herbert (R) signed the maps on October 19. However, the Legislature approved, and the Governor signed into law, revisions to the maps in late January 2012 after errors were discovered.

Legislators

Salaries

See also:Comparison of state legislative salaries

Swearing in dates

See also:When state legislators assume office after a general election

Utah legislators assume office the first day in January.^[24][25]

Joint legislative committees

The Utah State Legislature has no standing joint committees. The Legislature does make use of joint interim committees.

History

Partisan balance 1992-2013

See also:Ballotpedia:Who Runs the States andBallotpedia:Who Runs the States, Utah

Partisan breakdown of the Utah legislature from 1992-2013

Utah Senate:Throughout every year from 1992-2013, the Republican Party was the majority in the Utah State Senate. The Utah State Senate is one of 13 state senates that was Republican for more than 80 percent of the years between 1992-2013. Utah was under Republicantrifectas for all 22 years.

Across the country, there were 541 Democratic and 517 Republican state senates from 1992 to 2013.

Utah House:Throughout every year from 1992-2013, the Republican Party was the majority in the Utah State House of Representatives. The Utah House of Representatives is one of nine state Houses that was Republican for more than 80 percent of the years between 1992-2013. Utah was under Republicantrifectas for all 22 years.

Across the country, there were 577 Democratic and 483 Republican State Houses of Representatives from 1992 to 2013.

Over the course of the 22-year study, state governments became increasingly more partisan. At the outset of the study period (1992), 18 of the 49 states with partisan legislatures had single-party trifectas and 31 states had divided governments. In 2013, only 13 states had divided governments, while single-party trifectas held sway in 36 states, the most in the 22 years studied.

The chart below shows the partisan composition of theOffice of the Governor of Utah, theUtah State Senate and theUtah House of Representatives from 1992 to 2013.

SQLI and partisanship

To read the full report on theState Quality of Life Index (SQLI) in PDF form, clickhere.

The chart below depicts the partisanship of the Utah state government and the state's SQLI ranking for the years studied. For the SQLI, the states were ranked from 1-50, with 1 being the best and 50 the worst. During every year of the study Utah had Republican trifectas. Its SQLI ranking stayed consistently in the 20s range for the first half of the study, but gradually moved up, bringing it into the top-10 for five of the last six years of the study.

Chart displaying the partisanship of Utah government from 1992-2013 and the State Quality of Life Index (SQLI).

Constitutional amendments

In every state but Delaware, voter approval is required to enact a constitutional amendment. In each state, the legislature has a process forreferring constitutional amendments before voters. In 18 states,initiated constitutional amendments can be put on the ballot through a signature petition drive. There are alsomany other types of statewide measures.

The methods in which the Utah Constitution can be amended:

See also:Article XXIII of the Utah Constitution andLaws governing ballot measures in Utah

TheUtah Constitution provides two mechanisms for amending the state's constitution— a legislative process, and a state constitutional convention. Utah requires a simple majority vote (50% plus 1) for voters to approve constitutional amendments.

Legislature

See also:Legislatively referred constitutional amendment

According toArticle XXIII, the state Legislature can refer constitutional amendments to the ballot for voters to decide.Atwo-thirds vote in both the legislative chambers is required during one legislative session for theUtah State Legislature to place a constitutional amendment on the ballot. That amounts to a minimum of 50 votes in theUtah House of Representatives and 20 votes in theUtah State Senate, assuming no vacancies. Amendments do not require the governor's signature to be referred to the ballot.

Convention

See also:Convention-referred constitutional amendment

According toSection 2 of Article XXIII, a ballot question about whether to hold a convention can go on the ballot if two-thirds of the members of theUtah State Legislature vote to put it on the ballot.

See also

Elections	Utah State Government	State Legislatures	State Politics
Utah elections, 2024 Utah elections, 2022 Utah elections, 2020	Utah State Senate Utah House of Representatives Governor of Utah Utah Supreme Court	State legislative elections, 2025 State legislative elections, 2024 State legislative elections, 2023 State legislative elections, 2022 State legislative elections, 2021 State legislative elections, 2020 State legislative elections, 2019	State government trifectas State government triplexes State executives State courts Ballot measures The State Legislative Decade

External links

• Utah State Legislature

Footnotes

	v • e State ofUtah Salt Lake City (capital)
Elections	What's on my ballot? |Elections in 2026 |How to vote |How to run for office |Ballot measures
Government	Who represents me? |U.S. President |U.S. Congress |Federal courts |State executives |State legislature |State and local courts |Counties |Cities |School districts |Public policy