02-26 12:11 H.B. 557
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Debate Committee Amendments
2025 GENERAL SESSION
STATE OF UTAH
Chief Sponsor: Nelson T. Abbott
Senate Sponsor:
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LONG TITLE
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General Description:
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This bill creates the Utah Debate Committee at Utah Valley University.
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Highlighted Provisions:
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This bill:
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▸ defines terms;
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▸ creates the Utah Debate Committee;
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▸ creates an executive board and advisory board that make up the committee;
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▸ describes the membership of the committee; and
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▸ establishes certain duties and powers for the:
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● committee;
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● executive board; and
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● advisory board.
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Money Appropriated in this Bill:
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This bill appropriates $600,000 in operating and capital budgets for fiscal year 2026, all
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of which is from the Income Tax Fund.
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Other Special Clauses:
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None
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Utah Code Sections Affected:
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ENACTS:
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53B-29-401, Utah Code Annotated 1953
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53B-29-402, Utah Code Annotated 1953
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53B-29-403, Utah Code Annotated 1953
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53B-29-404, Utah Code Annotated 1953
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Be it enacted by the Legislature of the state of Utah:
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Section 1. Section 53B-29-401 is enacted to read:
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Part 4. Utah Debate Committee
H.B. 557 H.B. 557 02-26 12:11
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53B-29-401 . Definitions.
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As used in this part:
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(1) "Advisory board" means the Utah Debate Committee Advisory Board established in
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Section 53B-29-404.
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(2) "Committee" means the Utah Debate Committee created in Section 53B-29-402.
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(3) "Executive board" means the Utah Debate Committee Executive Board established in
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Section 53B-29-402.
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Section 2. Section 53B-29-402 is enacted to read:
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53B-29-402 . Utah Debate Committee created.
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(1) There is created the Utah Debate Committee at the Utah Valley University Herbert
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Institute to:
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(a) promote fair, nonpartisan debates for state and federal elections;
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(b) educate voters by providing direct access to candidate debates; and
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(c) encourage civic engagement and informed voting.
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(2) The committee shall include an:
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(a) executive board; and
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(b) advisory board.
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(3) The executive board shall:
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(a) govern the committee;
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(b) oversee debate planning and administration; and
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(c) appoint members to the advisory board in accordance with Section 53B-29-404.
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(4) The executive board of the committee shall include:
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(a) four individuals:
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(i) two of whom, the president of the Senate appoints; and
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(ii) two of whom, the Senate minority leader appoints;
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(b) four individuals:
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(i) two of whom, the speaker of the House of Representatives appoints; and
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(ii) two of whom, the minority leader of the House of Representative appoints; and
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(c) three individuals with relevant experience, whom the governor appoints.
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(5) The governor shall appoint or reappoint the members of the committee described in
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Subsection (4)(c) to serve at will.
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(6)(a) The president of the Senate shall designate an individual appointed under
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Subsection (4)(a)(i) as a cochair of the committee.
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(b) The speaker of the House of Representatives shall designate an individual appointed
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under Subsection (4)(b)(i) as a cochair of the committee.
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(7) The committee shall determine what constitutes a quorum for purposes of:
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(a) transacting business at a meeting; and
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(b) voting.
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(8)(a) Except as described in Subsection (8)(b), a member of the committee may not
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receive compensation or benefits for the member's service but may receive per diem
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and travel expenses in accordance with:
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(i) Section 63A-3-106;
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(ii) Section 63A-3-107; and
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(iii) rules made by the Division of Finance in accordance with Sections 63A-3-106
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and 63A-3-107.
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(b) Compensation and expenses of a board member who is a legislator are governed by
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Section 36-2-2 and Legislative Joint Rules, Title 5, Legislative Compensation and
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Expenses.
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(9) The Herbert Institute at Utah Valley University shall provide staff support to the
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committee.
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Section 3. Section 53B-29-403 is enacted to read:
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53B-29-403 . Duties and powers of committee.
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The committee shall:
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(1) schedule, coordinate, and host debates for:
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(a) gubernatorial elections;
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(b) congressional elections; and
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(c) other major elections;
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(2) ensure fair and professional conduct in debates;
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(3) ensure that during an election cycle no institution of higher education hosts on the
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institution of higher education's campus more than one:
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(a) primary debate; and
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(b) general election debate;
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(4) partner with the appropriate media outlets, universities, and civics organizations to
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broadcast debates;
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(5) establish criteria for candidate participation in a debate;
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(6) determine locations, dates, and formats for debates;
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(7) provide public access to debates through live broadcasts and recordings;
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(8) select moderators and venues for debates; and
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(9) maintain political neutrality in debate organization and moderation.
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Section 4. Section 53B-29-404 is enacted to read:
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53B-29-404 . Committee advisory board.
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(1) The executive board shall create an advisory board of no more than 10 members and
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select the advisory board members from:
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(a) media organizations operating in the state;
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(b) public and private institutions of higher education operating within the state; and
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(c) other organizations or sectors the executive board determines relevant.
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(2) The advisory board members shall designate the chair of the advisory board.
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(3) The advisory board shall:
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(a) provide guidance and recommendations to the executive board regarding debate
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planning and execution;
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(b) provide input on debate topics, formats, and moderation standards;
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(c) recommend best practices for nonpartisan and inclusive debate structures; and
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(d) advise on public outreach and accessibility efforts.
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Section 5. FY 2026 Appropriations.
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The following sums of money are appropriated for the fiscal year beginning July 1,
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2025, and ending June 30, 2026. These are additions to amounts previously appropriated for
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fiscal year 2026.
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Subsection 5(a). Operating and Capital Budgets
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Under the terms and conditions of Title 63J, Chapter 1, Budgetary Procedures Act, the
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Legislature appropriates the following sums of money from the funds or accounts indicated for
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the use and support of the government of the state of Utah.
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ITEM 1 To Utah Valley University - Education and General
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From Income Tax Fund, One-time 600,000
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Schedule of Programs:
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Public Service 600,000
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Section 6. Effective Date.
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This bill takes effect on May 7, 2025.
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