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Utah Sen. Curt Bramble was installed Thursday as president of the National Conference of State Legislatures (NCSL) at the bipartisan group's annual summit in Seattle.
Bramble, R-Provo, succeeds Nevada Democratic Sen. Debbie Smith.
"I am honored to lead NCSL's advocacy efforts, on behalf of states, in Washington, D.C.," Bramble said in a news release. "NCSL has proven to be one of the most valuable resources for state legislatures across the country and I am excited to serve."
Bramble has been involved for more than a decade with the group that represents nearly 7,400 elected lawmakers and 20,000 legislative staffers across the country.
He steps into the national leadership role at the same time Gov. Gary Herbert heads the National Governors Association and Salt Lake City Mayor Ralph Becker leads the National League of Cities.
Utah Senate President Wayne Niederhauser hailed Bramble — a 15-year Senate veteran, CPA and small-business owner — as the "right fit" for the NCSL's top spot, saying he is "smart, seasoned, and he gets things done."
He particularly praised Bramble as someone who has an ability to get the right people in a room to hammer out solutions to seemingly intractable problems.
"Policy inertia and bureaucracy can be immovable objects, but Curt Bramble is an unstoppable force. I look forward to see this dynamic played out on a national stage to the benefit of all 50 states," Niederhauser said.