Council of Defense

Entity: 289
Entity Type: State Government

Abstract

On June 13, 1941, the legislature passed an act entitled the "State Council of Defense Act." It created a State Council of Defense and Local and District Councils of Defense in accordance with national defense plans. The State Council of Defense's mission was to coordinate national and local councils and to advise the governor in all matters regarding defense. In 1951, the act was expanded to state, "In the exercise of sovereign concern for the safety, health, protection, and general welfare of the people fo this state there is hereby established a council which shall be known as the state council of defense to utilize existing governmental agencies of the state, counties, and municipalities to the end that the resources and manpower of the state may be employed to meet, combat, and prepare to meet and combat the emergencies of threat, thereof."

Biography/History Notes

The council had the following powers and duties: a). To cooperate with the advisory commission to the council of national defense through its division of state and local cooperation or with any other agencies involved with defense including those in other states. b). To report to the governor any recommendations for legislation concerning defense. This includes recommendations concerning the following: Industrial materials, agriculture, land use, transportation, labor supply, training, consumers, consumer protection, housing, health, hospitals, sanitation facilities, welfare, education facilities, recreational areas, finance, civil liberties, sabotage and subversive activities, and civil defense. c). To investigate all questions relating to defense.

The council consisted of 7 members appointed by the governor. The governor served as chairman of the council. It had the power to employ an executive director and clerical staff. In 1951, the act was amended to read, "The state council of defense shall be composed of the governor, the secretary of state, the attorney general, the president of the senate, the speaker of the house, and four members appointed by the governor." Utah Code Annotated, 63-5-2

Each political subdivision of the state had the power to establish a local council of defense. Local councils of defense were to cooperate with each other and with the state council. In regions of especial strategic importance, larger councils were established to assist in coordination between the local councils.

Hierarchy

Council of Defense