Hall selected for prestigious committee
Earlier this month, Utah State University President Kermit L. Hall was appointed to Utah’s Constitutional Revision Commission.
Commission Chairman Kevin Worthen, who said he suggested Hall as a member of the group, said there were more than 30 applicants who were very qualified individuals.
However, Worthen said, Hall did not apply for the position on the commission. He was specifically invited to join the group because of his known background in constitutional law as well as his background in state law, geographic regions and task expertise.
Hall said he has written and edited 17 books relating to the history of constitutions of the states and especially their Bills of Rights.
“My basic responsibility as is true with all the commissioners is to bring an independent expertise to the consideration of the proposed amendments to the Utah Constitution,” Hall said.
Hall said the commission discusses and acts upon the revisions to the Utah Constitution. The changes of constitution are put on the agenda of the commission. Then the changes are thoroughly researched and presented to the staff.
At that point, the changes go through an extensive process by debating and discussing the relative merits and limitations of the proposed amendment, as they relate to constitution operation and history.
Once discussion of the proposed change is over, the commission votes and the proposition is moved to the state Legislature where the Legislature must approve the change with a two-thirds majority vote. If the Legislature approves the change, the people of Utah then vote on the issue.
The university president said he will also have the responsibility to make any needed recommendations to the Legislature and the people in the state of Utah, about what, if any changes to the constitution will be appropriate.
“To serve the people of Utah well, and it would be inappropriate for me to bring any particular substance of agenda, my only goal is to bring what expertise I have, and to help my fellow commissioners understand issues,” Hall said as far as his goals during his term on the commission.
The commission is made up of 18 people chosen throughout Utah for their expertise in constitutional history and their knowledge in current Utah constitutional needs. The members of the commission regularly serve a 12-year term. The commission meets once a month to discuss the revision of the current Utah Constitution and also to introduce any new amendments for the state constitution.
“The state constitutions have been repeatedly amended and revised, much more so than the United States Constitution, and there have been nationally over 600 different amendments made in the 20th century of the state constitutions,” Hall said.
The commission members must be very knowledgeable and understanding in constitutions to make sure the state of Utah has what will work best for the citizens of Utah. Hall said he has been specifically chosen above many other experienced applicants to serve the state of Utah on the commission.
“We are thrilled that [Hall] was willing to serve on the commission,” Worthen said. “He will be a great addition because of his background and expertise.”
-amysueh@cc.usu.edu