Governor Cox criticizes Utah Legislature for excessive bills

Utah Governor Spencer Cox has expressed concerns about the number of bills passed by the state Legislature. He stated that there are "too many bills" for efficient governance, highlighting the need for lawmakers to focus on priorities. During the recent 45-day legislative session, Utah lawmakers introduced a record 959 bills. Out of these, 582 were passed. Governor Cox pointed out that managing this amount of legislation is overwhelming for the state government. He noted that the costs of administering the new laws often get overlooked. Cox recalled times when the Legislature passed around 300 bills each year. In 2013, when he was also a member, approximately 480 bills were approved. He believes that the state functioned well without the excess of current legislation. Governor Cox mentioned that the efficiency of the legislative process has contributed to more bills being introduced. However, he suggested implementing rules to limit the number of bills, which he recognized might be challenging. Senate President Stuart Adams acknowledged his difficulty in controlling how many bills senators propose, noting that they are independent elected officials. He did assert that the Legislature has a good process for deciding which bills reach the governor. Cox also indicated that he might veto some bills this year. Although he could limit the number of bills he signs, he feels this could be ineffective since the Legislature can override vetoes. He emphasized that signing a bill does not always mean he supports it, as sometimes he must sign to ensure better outcomes through negotiation.