“In an open GOP House caucus last week, House Majority Leader Brad Wilson, R-Kaysville, said Speaker Greg Hughes has given he and Assistant Majority Whip John Knotwell, R-Herriman, the assignment of coordinating all related legislative powers bills for January’s upcoming 2018 general session. Wilson has already filed two bill requests on constitutional legislative powers. If amendments to the state Constitution are needed – like giving lawmakers the power to call themselves into a special session – they must pass the 75-member House and 29-member Senate by two-thirds majorities (50 and 20, respectively). Amendments go directly to a public ratification vote in the next general election – 2018 in this case. The governor has no official say in amendments – he can’t veto them. Although Herbert can use his bully pulpit arguing against voter approval. The Constitution currently says only the governor can call lawmakers into special session; only he can set the agenda. Any bill passed, of course, goes to the governor. He can veto it – with the Legislature overriding that veto with two-thirds majorities in each house. As you may recall, Herbert declined to call the Legislature into a special session to deal with how the Chaffetz special election would be run.”

http://utahpolicy.com/index.php/features/today-at-utah-policy/14184-lawmakers-set-to-wrestle-powers-away-from-governor-s-office