Estimated read time: 2-3 minutes
This archived news story is available only for your personal, non-commercial use. Information in the story may be outdated or superseded by additional information. Reading or replaying the story in its archived form does not constitute a republication of the story.
SALT LAKE CITY — Perhaps the Utah Legislature’s most vocal critic of federal land management policies and advocate for state’s rights announced his resignation Friday.
Rep. Ken Ivory, R-West Jordan, will step down from his Utah House seat on Monday for a new job that he said would require his full time and attention.
Ivory, first elected in 2010, said it has been one of the greatest honors of his life to serve in the House.
I’m grateful to the constituents who entrusted me to represent them, and I promise to continue serving in whatever capacity I can.
–Ken Ivory
“During my time, I’ve been blessed to work with amazing leaders across the political spectrum to help make this state the best place to live, work, receive an education and raise a family,” he said. “I’m grateful to the constituents who entrusted me to represent them, and I promise to continue serving in whatever capacity I can.”
Ivory, an attorney, led Utah’s so-far unsuccessful push to take control of public lands managed by the federal government. He sponsored the Transfer of Public Lands Act that passed the Legislature in 2012, an attempt to force the federal government to transfer the title of millions of acres of public land to the state.
His efforts drew praise from rural government leaders, while rankling environmental groups.
In addition to public lands issues, Ivory worked to protect children against sexual abuse and enhance the rights of victims. He sponsored bills that removed the statute of limitations on sexual abuse lawsuits and banned female genital mutilation.
Related:
House passes bill intended to protect minors from sexual abuse from college professors, instructors
The Utah House of Representatives passed on Tuesday a bill that adds college professors and teaching assistants at public and private colleges and universities to state law as adults in a position of special trust.Utah House Speaker Brad Wilson, R-Kaysville, said Ivory’s service and leadership will be missed.
“He has been an important part of this institution for nearly a decade and it is hard to imagine what the House will look like without him,” Wilson said. “While we will greatly miss his friendship and dedication, we wish him and his family the very best as they move forward to this new chapter of their lives.”
The Salt Lake County Republican Party will establish a process for choosing a replacement to be submitted to the governor for appointment.
