Pursuant to Article VIII, Section 4 of the Utah Constitution, the Supreme Court hereby authorizes and directs the Board to engage in legislative activities.

(a) The Board is authorized and directed to study and provide assistance on public policy issues and to adopt positions on behalf of the Board on public policy issues. The Board is authorized to review and analyze pending legislation, to provide technical assistance to the Utah Legislature, the Governor of Utah, the Utah Judicial Council and other public bodies upon request, and to adopt a position in support of or in opposition to a policy initiative, to adopt no position on a policy initiative, or to remain silent on a policy initiative. The position of the Board shall not be construed as the position of the Court or binding on the Court in any way.

(a)(1) The Board's consideration of public policy issues shall be limited to those issues concerning the courts of Utah, procedure and evidence in the courts, the administration of justice, the practice of law, and matters of substantive law on which the collective expertise of lawyers has special relevance and/or which may affect an individual's ability to access legal services or the legal system.

(a)(2) Public policy issues may be submitted to the Board for consideration in accordance with written procedures established by the Board.

(a)(3) The adoption of a Board position shall be in accordance with written procedures established by the Board.

(a)(4) The Board shall prepare and maintain a written record of the Board's positions on public policy issues and shall ensure reasonable notice and distribution to the members of the Bar and to Licensed Paralegal Practitioners.

(b) Governmental Relations Committee. The Board may establish a Governmental Relations Committee to assist in carrying out its responsibilities as set forth above. The committee's membership and procedures shall encourage broad participation and input and compliance with this policy.

(c) Legislative budget, rebates. At the end of the Utah general legislative session each year, the Board shall calculate all reasonable administrative expenses attributable to the Bar's legislative activities for the preceding 12 month period, identify each member’s and Licensed Paralegal Practitioner’s pro rata portion of the amount of license fees for the preceding 12 month period spent for legislative activities and establish a fair and equitable rebate procedure of that amount for Bar members or Licensed Paralegal Practitioners who object to any legislative position taken by the Board.