Utah Gov. Spencer Cox announced on Friday, June 14, that the state legislature would reconvene into a special session on Wednesday, June 19 to,” address several matters of urgent business.“.

The “urgent business” in question includes the following:

• Amendments to S.B. 161 that was discussed in the 2024 general session
• S.B. 57 from the 2024 general session in congruence to the U.S. Department of Education’s new Title IX regulations starting Aug. 1
• Amendments to “provisions of the Utah Code related to statutory repeal dates”
• Considering countering federal overreach on Utah public lands
• Amendments to Utah Code on exchange students’ participation in statewide online education programs
• Amendments to Utah Code related to S.B. 221 on school district amendments
• “The Senate consenting to appointments made by the Governor.”

Wednesday, June 19, falls on the federal holiday “Juneteenth,” which was made to commemorate the ending of slavery within the United States and was declared a federal holiday in 2021, which has led to Gov. Cox receiving backlash for the selection of the date.

A NAACP leader stated that this move was nothing more than a “political campaign stunt.”

“Certain matters have arisen which require immediate legislative attention,” Cox stated in his proclamation, which can be viewed in full here.

Castle Country Radio reached out to Rep. Christine Watkins regarding the session, with Watkins stating,” I will study the issues and be prepared to make good decisions.”

The special session is set to begin Wednesday at 4 p.m. To follow along with bills and for more information on the session, you can visit the state legislature website here.