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The Utah Senate approved legislation Monday that would sideline an advisory panel that reviews proposed constitutional amendments.
Sen. Margaret Dayton, R-Orem, says her aim is to make government more efficient by not having to have staff for the Constitution Revision Commission.
Currently, any member of House or Senate leadership can ask the commission to review a proposed constitutional amendment. Under Dayton's bill, it would take a resolution passed by majorities in both chambers to convene the commission. The governor could also request the commission's review.
Over the summer, the commission spent hours studying a constitutional amendment that Dayton is expected to sponsor that would seek to end Affirmative Action programs that extend preferential hiring, contracting or education based on race or gender.
During debate of the bill, senators argued the Constitution Revision Commission had overstepped its bounds and had become a political body, rather than a legal advisory panel. Sen. Howard Stephenson, R-Draper, said he would have liked to see the commission eliminated entirely.
SB44 also would affect the Tax Review Commission, requiring a resolution from the Legislature or joint legislative leadership before members review an issue.
Dayton's bill passed 21-5 and goes to the House for further action.
Democrats voted against the measure, arguing the advice from the panel is valuable.
"I think we're only really enriched by having a certain amount of independence of individuals to look at these issues and give us guidance," said Sen. Gene Davis, D-Salt Lake City.