The Utah Division of Multicultural Affairs has compiled policy resources and information to help communities get engaged civically and be aware of Legislative Session activity that impacts multicultural communities.
Our Policy Priorities
We form our policy priorities based on comprehensive guidance from the Utah Multicultural Commission, Utah Martin Luther King Jr. Human Rights Commission, and our statewide mission and vision that is founded on increasing resources, and opportunity across multicultural communities and various sectors.
The Division focuses on increasing awareness, education, and access to resources for communities to be more civically informed.
Increase Awareness of Legislative Action
Communities are stronger when they are informed of relevant issues that impact them.
Promote Education of Legislative & Civic Process
Civic and legislative education encourages understanding and respect for differences of opinion and collaboration.
Centralize Helpful Resources
Serving as a centralizer of key resources and amplifying existing tools encourages public involvement overall.
Get Informed & Involved
Laws passed by the Legislature have a direct impact on your life and the lives of your communities. Review the resources below to become informed and get involved in the ways that matter most to you. You are needed. Your stories, voices, and experiences are knowledge that can help the legislative process.
Step-by-Step: How a Bill Becomes a Law in Utah
*A Bill Must Be Read Three Times: No matter whether a bill starts in the House or the Senate, it must go through three constitutionally required readings in each body before it can pass into law.
4. The Bill Receives Standing Committee Review (first reading) and Public Input. The Rules Committee recommends which standing committee to which the bill should be referred to. The standing committee, in an open meeting, reviews the bill and receives public testimony. The committee may amend, hold, table, substitute, or make a favorable recommendation on the bill.
5. The Bill Is Returned to the Floor (second reading). Following the committee hearing the bill is returned to the full House with a committee report. The committee reports that the bill is favorable, favorable with amendments, substituted, or that the bill has been tabled. The house adopts the bill by motion and puts the bill on the calendar for the third reading.
6. The Bill is Debated in Open Session (third reading). During floor debate, the bill can be amended or substituted. It can also be held for a later time. In order for a bill to pass the House of Representatives, it must receive at least 38 of 75 votes. In order for it to pass the Senate, the bill must receive at least 15 of 29 votes.
9. The Bill Becomes Effective. A bill enacted by the Legislature is effective 60 days following the closing, unless another date is specified in the bill. It then becomes law.