Bill Tracker
Out of the 800+ bills introduced each year, Red Acre Center chooses those that connect to our mission: to promote and protect farmers, rural and urban farms, artisan producers, and the right to choose what you eat.
-
Introduce yourself and build a relationship with your legislators. This takes time both during and outside of the session.
-
Show up on the Hill: Day On The Hill on February 4th and at Politics & Pastries every Wednesday
-
Sign up for email. Receive updates and weekly emails during the legislative session.
NOTE: Check back often. We update the status of each Bill here on the Tracker, and as the session progresses, new bills are added regularly.
The Path of Every Bill
Step 1: An idea is formed
A legislator draws from personal experiences, constituents, government agencies, lobbyists, and other groups for ideas on what should become a bill.
Step 2: Needs a sponsor
A legislature member sponsors a bill and becomes that Bill's Chief Sponsor. A House Bill: sponsored by a representative in the House and will begin in the House of Representatives.
A Senate Bill: sponsored by a representative in the Senate, will begin in the Senate.
The Bill will remain in the respective state legislature where it was sponsored until it is passed in the respective Legislature. Then the process repeats in the opposite Legislature before becoming a law.
Step 3: Becomes drafted
A bill request is made to the Office of Legislative Research and General Counsel, which reviews and formats it into a bill.
Step 4: Receives a number
Step 5: Sent to Rules Committee
The Bill remains in the Rules Committee until assigned to a specific committee.
Step 6: The committee then hears the Bill.
A committee reviews the Bill and allows public testimonies. They can approve, revise, hold, and make suggestions to the Bill. A report about the Bill is then made to the floor. If the Bill passes the committee, it moves to the floor or the chamber.
Step 7: Debated and voted on the floor
The Bill can be amended, held (circled), or passed. 38 votes in the House of Representatives. 15 votes in the Senate
Step 8: The process is repeated
If the Bill passes on the floor, it starts again in a second stage, moving to the House or Senate, depending on where it began. The Bill now has another sponsor, a floor sponsor.
Step 9: Passes in both the House & Senate
The Bill is passed in both legislatures and signed by the Speaker of the House and the Senate President.
Step 10: The Governor to sign:
The bill is sent to the Governor, who can sign it into law, veto it, or allow it to become law without a signature.
Step 11: Becomes Law and is effective when:Laws generally become effective 60 days after the annual general session adjourns, unless otherwise stated.
Flower Sales Modifications
Not Yet Numbered
Sponsor:
Position:
In Process
Status:
Milk Amendments
Producers do not have to own any percentage of the store; a designated or 3rd-party person can pick up and deliver for them, serve non-paying guests, and have customers no longer give their information when purchasing raw milk or raw milk products.
The Department of Food and Agriculture will no longer do monthly tests.
The producer will conduct those tests with a third-party lab.
Sponsor:
Position:
Priority (We brought this bill forward)
Status:
House 3rd Reading Calendar for House bills, passed out of committee and headed to the house for a full floor vote
Agriculture and Food Amendments
This bill addresses provisions related to the Department of Agriculture and Food.
Sponsor:
Position:
Watching
Status:
Assigned to House Natural Resources, Agriculture, and Environment Committee
Agricultural Amendments
This bill addresses funding for agricultural land.
Sponsor:
Position:
Support
Status:
Assigned to House Rules Committee
Soil Health Program Amendments
Extends the repeal date for the Utah Soil Health Program until 2036.
Sponsor:
Position:
Support
Status:
Senate Consent Calendar, headed to the floor for a full floor vote
Natural Resources, Agriculture, and Environment Technical Changes
The Natural Resources, Agriculture, and Environment Interim Committee recommended
this bill.
Sponsor:
Position:
Watching
Status:
Passed Senate house committee, headed to the House for a full floor vote
Local Agritourism Ordinance Amendments
Not Yet Numbered
Sponsor:
Position:
In Process
Status:
Food Safety Manager Certification Amendments
This bill extends the period for food safety manager certification renewal from three years to five
Sponsor:
Position:
Support
Status:
House 3rd Reading Calendar for House bills, passed out of committee and headed to the house for a full floor vote
Raw Milk Amendments
Grants the Utah Department of Agriculture and Food expanded authority to establish and enforce rules related to raw milk production and sales.
Requires producers and markets to submit an updated registration application at least 30 days prior to any change in registered information; failure to do so may result in financial penalties.
Mandates that raw milk producers own the animals producing the milk and maintain an ongoing relationship with a licensed veterinarian, including documented veterinary care and records.
Requires raw milk labeled or sold for animal consumption to be chemically denatured, preventing its use for human consumption.
Authorizes enforcement actions when a producer is linked to a food-borne illness outbreak, including fines of up to $10,000 and suspension of the producer’s ability to operate for up to one year.
Eliminates the existing allowance for producers to sell up to 120 gallons per month directly from the farm without inspection, bringing all raw milk sales under inspection requirements.
Sponsor:
Position:
Opposed
Status:
House Rules Committee, not yet assigned to a committee
Egg Amendments
This bill defines and modifies terms, clarifies fee and rulemaking authority for the Department of Agriculture and Food regarding the distribution, sale, and inspection of shell eggs.
Sponsor:
Position:
Watching
Status:
Assigned to House Rules Committee
Livestock Watering Amendments
This bill addresses water used for livestock watering.
Sponsor:
Position:
Watching
Status:
House 3rd Reading Calendar for House Bills, passed out of committee and headed to the house for a full floor vote
Trailer Registration Amendments
This bill amends vehicle registration notification requirements and provides an option for a
lifetime registration period for certain vehicles.
Sponsor:
Position:
Watching
Status:
Assigned to Senate transportation, public utilities, energy, and technology committee
Local Food Amendments
This bill addresses provisions related to locally-produced foods.
Sponsor:
Position:
Watching
Status:
Senate Business and Labor Committee Tuesday, February 3rd.