Read how Benny Bumble Bee learns how bills become law in our beehive state.



Benny Bumble Bee thinks about changes that will help all the colonies in the Beehive State, and he buzzes all day long sharing his ideas with family and friends. Although some don’t like his ideas, Benny keeps on buzzing.

He finds out that his legislators can help him change the law. He buzzes over to his representative’s hive to share his ideas. The representative likes Benny’s ideas and promises to sponsor a bill proposing changes to the current law. She also tells him that he must be patient during the legislative process because the bill may be discussed and debated for a long time before legislators vote for or against it. Benny replies enthusiastically, "It’s worth waiting for. How can I help?"

The representative tells him to attend the standing committee meetings where the bill will be discussed, and not to bee late! Benny buzzes to every meeting. Some of the committee members don’t like the bill and propose amendments. Ouch, that stings! But finally, Benny agrees that the amendments actually improve his bill.

Benny watches from the gallery as all the representatives swarm together and vote on the bill. It passes, 65 vote ‘yes’ and only 10 vote ‘no’! Benny is so excited that he wants to buzz all around the chamber. Then his representative tells him that the senators still need to discuss the bill. Benny admits, "This really does involve a lot of time and people!" His representative assures him that it won’t be long now.

After a couple more weeks, the senators in the assigned senate standing committee finally give it a favorable recommendation and all of the senators swarm together to vote. Again, Benny watches from the gallery. It passes unanimously - 29 yes votes! That makes Benny very happy.

Now the bill is reviewed by the governor. He likes the bill too and signs it.

To thank his representative, Benny drops off a jar of fresh honey at her home.

There are many other sticky bills waiting to be discussed and voted on, but Benny’s bill will now become law. The legislators keep very busy for 45 calendar days debating, amending, substituting, negotiating, and compromising before voting on bills. The bills that pass in the Senate and House usually become law 60 days after session ends. The only bills that pass and don’t become law are bills that the governor vetoes because he doesn’t think they will be good laws for our state. The governor vetoes only a handful each year, if any at all, and there are hundreds of new bills that become law each year in Utah.

Benny Bumble Bee thinks this is a bee-u-tiful process. There are many other hard workers like Benny. Are you one? What would you like to change in your school? In your neighborhood? In our great state, Utah? How will you elevate Utah?

BEE ACTIVE!