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SALT LAKE CITY — A bill that would have given the state Commission on Federalism $350,000 to develop study materials available to the public failed to pass Wednesday in the Senate.
The appropriation in HB207, sponsored by Rep. Ken Ivory, R-West Jordan, the House chairman of the commission, would have enabled the hiring of consultants, including Utah Valley University.
Their job would have been to "study the practical application of fundamental principles of federalism" as states attempt to restore "a federal government with limited, delegated powers in order to secure the liberty of our people," according to the bill.
Ivory, who said he'll try to bring the issue back during the 2018 Legislature, described the intent of his bill as helping to repair a system of government he sees as "broken."
"Until we look at getting clear divisions of responsibility between the state and federal government, we're going to keep getting results that are imposed on us from a national government that accelerate the debt, accelerate criminalization of our people, accelerate regulations and restrictions that cost us millions and millions of dollars," he said. "Hopefully the Senate will come to see that some day."
The bill's Senate sponsor, Sen. Allen Christensen, R-North Ogden, urged support, saying, "Yes, there’s a fiscal note, but when you consider the cost of doing nothing, this is a real bargain."
But questions were raised about the cost associated with producing the study materials, which Christensen said would be available to K-12 students, as well as the public, but not as part of school curriculum.
"My concern comes from the fact that this is totally not necessary," said Sen. Jake Anderegg, R-Lehi, noting there is already "plenty of curriculum available," including copies of the U.S. Constitution that are handed out "like candy."
"Let's read them," Anderegg said, asking how spending $350,000 on something duplicative can be justified by conservatives "when there is a plethora of existing material."
Other concerns about the bill was a reference to Article V in the Constitution, which allows states to call for an amendment convention. Senators defeated a resolution calling for such a convention earlier this session.
The federalism bill failed to advance 11-17.
Contributing: Katie McKellar Email: lroche@ksl.com Twitter: DNewsPolitics
