Rep. Norm Thurston — Voting Record

Bill

Number

H.B. 179 Second Substitute (2023GS)

Sponsor

Rep. Stratton, K.

Final action

Governor Signed 3/13/2023

Outcome

Became law — signed by Gov. Spencer J. Cox

Summary

What it does

• This bill:
• designates the month of September as American Founders Month; and
• describes the purpose of Constitution Day.

Every vote on this bill

Bill text

FOUNDERS AND CONSTITUTION RECOGNITION
GENERAL SESSION
STATE OF UTAH
Chief Sponsor: Keven J. Stratton
Senate Sponsor: 
Ronald M. Winterton
LONG TITLE
General Description:
This bill addresses the recognition of the country's founders and the United States
Constitution.
Highlighted Provisions:
This bill:
▸ designates the month of September as American Founders Month; and
▸ describes the purpose of Constitution Day.
Money Appropriated in this Bill:
None
Other Special Clauses:
None
Utah Code Sections Affected:
AMENDS:
63G-1-401
, as last amended by Laws of Utah 2022, Chapter 14
Be it enacted by the Legislature of the state of Utah:
Section 1. Section 
63G-1-401
 is amended to read:
63G-1-401.
Commemorative periods.
(1) The following days shall be commemorated annually:
(a) Utah History Day at the Capitol, on the Friday immediately following the fourth
Monday in January, to encourage citizens of the state, including students, to participate in
activities that recognize Utah's history;
(b) Day of Remembrance for Incarceration of Japanese Americans, on February 19, in
remembrance of the incarceration of Japanese Americans during World War II;
(c) Utah State Flag Day, on March 9;
(d) Vietnam Veterans Recognition Day, on March 29;
(e) Utah Railroad Workers Day, on May 10;
(f) Dandy-Walker Syndrome Awareness Day, on May 11;
(g) Armed Forces Day, on the third Saturday in May, in honor of men and women who
are serving or have served in the United States Armed Forces around the world in defense of
freedom;
(h) Juneteenth Freedom Day, on the third Saturday in June, in honor of Union General
Gordon Granger proclaiming the freedom of all slaves on June 19, 1865, in Galveston, Texas;
(i) Arthrogryposis Multiplex Congenita Awareness Day, on June 30;
(j) Navajo Code Talker Day, on August 14;
(k) Rachael Runyan/Missing and Exploited Children's Day, on August 26, the
anniversary of the day three-year-old Rachael Runyan was kidnaped from a playground in
Sunset, Utah, to:
(i) encourage individuals to make child safety a priority;
(ii) remember the importance of continued efforts to reunite missing children with their
families; and
(iii) honor Rachael Runyan and all Utah children who have been abducted or exploited;
(l) Constitution Day, on September 17
, to invite all Utah adults and Utah school
children to read directly from the United States Constitution and other primary sources, and for
students to be taught principles from the United States Constitution that include federalism,
checks and balances, separation of powers, popular sovereignty, limited government, and the
necessary and proper, commerce, and supremacy clauses
;
(m) POW/MIA Recognition Day, on the third Friday in September;
(n) Victims of Communism Memorial Day, on November 7;
(o) Indigenous People Day, on the Monday immediately preceding Thanksgiving; and
(p) Bill of Rights Day, on December 15.
(2) The Department of Veterans and Military Affairs shall coordinate activities, special
programs, and promotional information to heighten public awareness and involvement relating
to Subsections (1)(g) and (m).
(3) The month of April shall be commemorated annually as Clean Out the Medicine
Cabinet Month to:
(a) recognize the urgent need to make Utah homes and neighborhoods safe from
prescription medication abuse and poisonings by the proper home storage and disposal of
prescription and over-the-counter medications; and
(b) educate citizens about the permanent medication disposal sites in Utah listed on
useonlyasdirected.org that allow disposal throughout the year.
(4) The second full week of April shall be commemorated annually as Animal Care
and Control Appreciation Week to recognize and increase awareness within the community of
the services that animal care and control professionals provide.
(5) The first full week of May shall be commemorated annually as State Water Week
to recognize the importance of water conservation, quality, and supply in the state.
(6) The third full week of June shall be commemorated annually as Workplace Safety
Week to heighten public awareness regarding the importance of safety in the workplace.
(7) The second Friday and Saturday in August shall be commemorated annually as
Utah Fallen Heroes Days to:
(a) honor fallen heroes who, during service in the military or public safety, have
sacrificed their lives to protect the country and the citizens of the state; and
(b) encourage political subdivisions to acknowledge and honor fallen heroes.
(8) The third full week in August shall be commemorated annually as Drowsy Driving
Awareness Week to:
(a) educate the public about the relationship between fatigue and driving performance;
and
(b) encourage the Department of Public Safety and the Department of Transportation to
recognize and promote educational efforts on the dangers of drowsy driving.
(9) The month of September shall be commemorated annually as American Founders
and Constitution Month to:
(a) encourage all civic, fraternal, and religious organizations, and public and private
educational institutions, to recognize and observe this occasion through appropriate programs,
teaching, meetings, services, or celebrations in which state, county, and local governmental
officials are invited to participate; and
(b) invite all Utah school children to read directly from the United States Constitution
and other primary sources, and to be taught principles from the United States Constitution that
include federalism, checks and balances, separation of powers, popular sovereignty, limited
government, and the necessary and proper, commerce, and supremacy clauses.
[
(9)
] 
(10)
 The third full week of September shall be commemorated annually as Gang
Prevention Awareness Week.
[
(10)
] 
(11)
 The month of October shall be commemorated annually as Italian-American
Heritage Month.
[
(11)
] 
(12)
 The month of November shall be commemorated annually as American
Indian Heritage Month.
[
(12)
] 
(13)
 The first full week of December shall be commemorated annually as
Avalanche Awareness Week to:
(a) educate the public about avalanche awareness and safety;
(b) encourage collaborative efforts to decrease annual avalanche accidents and
fatalities; and
(c) honor Utah residents who have lost their lives in avalanches, including those who
lost their lives working to prevent avalanches.