Federalism Amendments

Federalism Commission membership increased from 9 voting members to 14 voting members, with additional nonvoting members appointed by the Legislative Management Committee.

Executive branch agencies must designate a contact person to coordinate with the commission on federalism education and training programs.

The Federalism Commission must develop curriculum for a public seminar on federalism principles and submit annual reports to legislative committees.

Commission authority to open committee bill files increased from 3 to 2 files per calendar year (note: text shows conflicting numbers 'three' and 'two' in different versions).

Commission may evaluate federal laws and coordinate with other states on federalism issues, with the ability to request meetings with federal governmental entities.

Total appropriations of $910,000 for fiscal year 2026, with $500,000 ongoing and $350,000 one-time for the Center for Constitutional Studies, and $60,000 ongoing for the Herbert Institute.

Added formal definitions for 'Center', 'Commission', and 'Institute' to clarify the roles of Utah Valley University entities in federalism work.

Added requirement for executive branch agencies to designate a contact person to coordinate with the Federalism Commission on education and training matters.

Added requirement for the Center to establish informal working groups with public and private stakeholders to assist with federalism education duties.

Added requirement for the Institute to coordinate with private organizations on local and national outreach efforts and report to the commission.

Increased the number of committee bill files the commission is permitted to open each year to support expanded review capacity.

Increased appropriations to $910,000 for fiscal year 2026 from the Income Tax Fund to support expanded federalism education and conference activities.

Added specific requirement for training materials to include Ninth and Tenth Amendments to the US Constitution alongside existing Tenth Amendment content

Changed commission authority to open committee files from three to two per calendar year

Reorganized executive agency contact person requirements to focus on determining federal jurisdiction and assessing agency responses to federal overreach

Changed document header from Senate amendments dated March 4, 2025 to House amendments dated February 19, 2025

Increased the number of committee bill files the Federalism Commission can open from two to three per calendar year, expanding its legislative review capacity.

Added a new requirement for all executive branch agencies to designate contact persons to coordinate with the commission on federalism education and training programs.

Funding amounts remain unchanged at $910,000 total, with $500,000 for the Center for Constitutional Studies and $60,000 for the Herbert Institute, but now includes new agency coordination responsibilities.

Minor formatting adjustments to line numbering and section references in the bill text.

Added a new requirement for executive branch agencies to designate contact persons to coordinate with the Federalism Commission regarding education and training.

Changed the relationship between the Federalism Commission and the Center for Constitutional Studies from 'under the direction of' to 'in consultation with', giving the Center more independence.

Changed the relationship between the Federalism Commission and the Herbert Institute from 'under the direction of' to 'in consultation with', giving the Institute more independence.

Removed the Herbert Institute's requirement to serve as a liaison between the commission, center, and government entities, narrowing its defined role.

Removed the Herbert Institute's requirement to coordinate with private organizations on local and national outreach efforts and report to the commission.

Removed the requirement for the commission to make recommendations to the center and institute regarding their federalism-related duties.

Removed the requirement for the commission to report annually to the Legislative Management Committee regarding the center's and institute's progress.

Federalism Commission membership expanded from nine to fourteen voting members with a new appointment structure that includes five Senate members (four majority, one minority) and nine House members (seven majority, two minority).

Center for Constitutional Studies must now consult with the commission before developing training programs, organizing conferences, and conducting out-of-state outreach efforts.

Herbert Institute must now coordinate with private organizations on local and national outreach efforts and report to the commission.

Executive branch agencies must designate a contact person to coordinate with the commission regarding education and training.

Commission increased from opening three committee bill files per year to opening up to three committee bill files per calendar year relating to its statutory duties.

Commission must report annually to the Legislative Management Committee regarding the progress of both the Center and Institute in fulfilling their federalism-related duties.

Commission curriculum requirements now include the Fourteenth Amendment in addition to the Ninth and Tenth Amendments.