How to read a law. This is one of our foundational episodes that will feature information for our discussions moving forward. Learning how to read proposed legislation can be a little messy. We often think that we have to be lawyers to understand what is going on. We hope to change that. This episode will help walk you through the various elements of what you see in a typical bill or proposed law.

While we will use a bill from the Utah Legislature, we hope that the principles discussed will apply in some ways to the cities, counties, and states where you live. Links we mention in this episode:Utah State Legislature site: https://le.utah.govSample bill: H.B. 416 Penalties for Misconduct with Students

Ken Ivory on the floor of the Utah State House of Representatives

Our guest on this episode is Ken Ivory who is lawyer for over 20 years, and served as a Utah State Representative From 2011-2019. In 2019 Ken taught American Federalism at Utah Valley University. He currently serves as President of the American Lands Council. His unique experience as a lawyer, a professor, and as a former state representative makes his especially qualified to come on this episode on How to Read a Law, and our next and companion episode, How to Write a Law. Ken Ivory joins us via (socially distanced) video chat. So we invite you to sit back, take some notes, and be inspired to find ways to be a more educated and empowered citizen in our political and legislative process.