Legislature. House of Representatives
Abstract
Biography/History Notes
The Utah State House of Representatives was established with the creation of the Utah State Legislature, in 1896, with the state's admittance into the United States and the passage of the Utah Constitution. The forerunner to the House of Representatives was established with the Utah Territorial Assembly, created in 1850 with the passage of the Organic Act and the creation of the Utah Territory. The mission of the House of Representatives is to assemble with the State Senate yearly (every two years until 1980) to create and pass laws that will aid the judicial and executive branches of government in governing the citizens of Utah.
The House of Representatives proposes, debates, and passes legislation. The House of Representatives shall keep a journal of its proceedings, which, except in case of executive sessions, shall be published. The House of Representatives has power of impeachment, but must have the votes of two-thirds of all elected members. Thier decision is sent to the State Senate for trial (LawUtah, 1896, Constitution of the State of Utah, Article 6).
As of 1999, the Utah State House of Representatives is a body of seventy-five men and women publically elected to two-year terms. The House of Representatives is reapportioned as desired or as required by law to insure proper representation of constituents (Legislature, website, www.le.state.ut.us, May 1999). No person shall be eligile to the office of the House of Representatives, who is not a citizen of the United States, twenty-five years of age, a qualified voter in the district from which he is chosen, a resident for three years of the state, and resident for one year of the district from which he is elected. The House of Representatives shall determine the rules of its proceedings, and choose its own officers and employees (Laws of Utah, 1896, Constitution of the State of Utah, Article 6).