Rep. Norm Thurston — Voting Record

Bill

Number

H.B. 557 (2025GS)

Sponsor

Rep. Abbott, Nelson T.

Final action

House/ filed 3/7/2025

Outcome

Failed / filed without passage

Summary

What it does

• This bill:
• defines terms;
• creates the Utah Debate Committee;
• creates an executive board and advisory board that make up the committee;
• describes the membership of the committee; and
• establishes certain duties and powers for the:
• committee;
• executive board; and
• advisory board.

Every vote on this bill

Bill text

13
53B-29-401
53B-29-402
53B-29-403
53B-29-404
0
Debate Committee Amendments
2025 GENERAL SESSION
STATE OF UTAH
Chief Sponsor: Nelson T. Abbott
Senate Sponsor: 
LONG TITLE
General Description:
This bill creates the Utah Debate Committee at Utah Valley University.
Highlighted Provisions:
This bill:
defines terms;
creates the Utah Debate Committee;
creates an executive board and advisory board that make up the committee;
describes the membership of the committee; and
establishes certain duties and powers for the:
committee;
executive board; and
advisory board.
Money Appropriated in this Bill:
This bill appropriates 
$600,000
 in operating and capital budgets for fiscal year 2026, all 
of which is from the Income Tax Fund.
Other Special Clauses:
None
Utah Code Sections Affected:
ENACTS:
53B-29-401
, Utah Code Annotated 1953
53B-29-402
, Utah Code Annotated 1953
53B-29-403
, Utah Code Annotated 1953
53B-29-404
, Utah Code Annotated 1953
Be it enacted by the Legislature of the state of Utah:
Section 1, Section 
53B-29-401
 is enacted to read:
4. Utah Debate Committee
53B-29-401. Definitions.
As used in this part:
(1)
"Advisory board" means the Utah Debate Committee Advisory Board established in 
Section 
53B-29-404
.
(2)
"Committee" means the Utah Debate Committee created in Section 
53B-29-402
.
(3)
"Executive board" means the Utah Debate Committee Executive Board established in 
Section 
53B-29-402
.
Section 2, Section 
53B-29-402
 is enacted to read:
53B-29-402. Utah Debate Committee created.
(1)
There is created the Utah Debate Committee at the Utah Valley University Herbert 
Institute to:
(a)
promote fair, nonpartisan debates for state and federal elections;
(b)
educate voters by providing direct access to candidate debates; and
(c)
encourage civic engagement and informed voting.
(2)
The committee shall include an:
(a)
executive board; and
(b)
advisory board.
(3)
The executive board shall:
(a)
govern the committee;
(b)
oversee debate planning and administration; and
(c)
appoint members to the advisory board in accordance with Section 
53B-29-404
.
(4)
The executive board of the committee shall include:
(a)
four individuals:
(i)
two of whom, the president of the Senate appoints; and
(ii)
two of whom, the Senate minority leader appoints;
(b)
four individuals:
(i)
two of whom, the speaker of the House of Representatives appoints; and
(ii)
two of whom, the minority leader of the House of Representative appoints; and
(c)
three individuals with relevant experience, whom the governor appoints.
(5)
The governor shall appoint or reappoint the members of the committee described in 
Subsection 
(4)(c)
 to serve at will.
(6)
(a)
The president of the Senate shall designate an individual appointed under 
Subsection 
(4)(a)(i)
 as a cochair of the committee.
(b)
The speaker of the House of Representatives shall designate an individual appointed 
under Subsection 
(4)(b)(i)
 as a cochair of the committee.
(7)
The committee shall determine what constitutes a quorum for purposes of:
(a)
transacting business at a meeting; and
(b)
voting.
(8)
(a)
Except as described in Subsection (8)(b), a member of the committee may not 
receive compensation or benefits for the member's service but may receive per diem 
and travel expenses in accordance with:
(i)
Section 
63A-3-106
;
(ii)
Section 
63A-3-107
; and
(iii)
rules made by the Division of Finance in accordance with Sections 
63A-3-106
and 
63A-3-107
.
(b)
Compensation and expenses of a board member who is a legislator are governed by 
Section 
36-2-2
 and Legislative Joint Rules, Title 5, Legislative Compensation and 
Expenses.
(9)
The Herbert Institute at Utah Valley University shall provide staff support to the 
committee.
Section 3, Section 
53B-29-403
 is enacted to read:
53B-29-403. Duties and powers of committee.
The committee shall:
(1)
schedule, coordinate, and host debates for:
(a)
gubernatorial elections;
(b)
congressional elections; and
(c)
other major elections;
(2)
ensure fair and professional conduct in debates;
(3)
ensure that during an election cycle no institution of higher education hosts on the 
institution of higher education's campus more than one:
(a)
primary debate; and
(b)
general election debate;
(4)
partner with the appropriate media outlets, universities, and civics organizations to 
broadcast debates;
(5)
establish criteria for candidate participation in a debate;
(6)
determine locations, dates, and formats for debates;
(7)
provide public access to debates through live broadcasts and recordings;
(8)
select moderators and venues for debates; and
(9)
maintain political neutrality in debate organization and moderation.
Section 4, Section 
53B-29-404
 is enacted to read:
53B-29-404. Committee advisory board.
(1)
The executive board shall create an advisory board of no more than 10 members and 
select the advisory board members from:
(a)
media organizations operating in the state;
(b)
public and private institutions of higher education operating within the state; and
(c)
other organizations or sectors the executive board determines relevant.
(2)
The advisory board members shall designate the chair of the advisory board.
(3)
The advisory board shall:
(a)
provide guidance and recommendations to the executive board regarding debate 
planning and execution;
(b)
provide input on debate topics, formats, and moderation standards;
(c)
recommend best practices for nonpartisan and inclusive debate structures; and
(d)
advise on public outreach and accessibility efforts.
Section 5. 
FY 2026 Appropriations.
The following sums of money are appropriated for the fiscal year beginning July 1, 
2025, and ending June 30, 2026. These are additions to amounts previously appropriated for 
fiscal year 2026. 
Subsection 5(a).
Operating and Capital Budgets
Under the terms and conditions of Title 63J, Chapter 1, Budgetary Procedures Act, the 
Legislature appropriates the following sums of money from the funds or accounts indicated for 
the use and support of the government of the state of Utah.
Higher Education
Utah Valley University
ITEM 1
Utah Valley University - Education and General
From Income Tax Fund, One-time
600,000
Public Service
600,000
Section 6. 
Effective Date.
This bill takes effect on 
May 7, 2025
.
2-26-25 12:11 PM