2025 Mock Floor Debate

Overview

As part of Local Officials Day, youth councils will have an opportunity to participate in mock floor debates by submitting their own policy proposals for consideration. For a bill to become a law through the Utah legislative process, a bill is first presented to a legislative committee before it is debated and voted on by the full House or Senate in a floor debate.

Roles for the mock committee will include:
• Committee members
• Policy members
• Policy presenters (2 students from youth councils that are on the agenda)
• Members of the public

Process:
1. The committee will call presenters for the first policy proposal on the agenda.
2. The policy presenters will give a one (1) to three (3) minute presentation on their policy.
3. The committee will then have an opportunity ask any clarifying questions they have about
the proposal.
4. The committee will open the floor for public comment about the proposal.
5. After the closure of public comment, the committee will debate as to whether they will
recommend to the full legislative body.
6. Steps 1-5 will be repeated for the remaining items on the agenda (time permitting)

Preparing for mock committees:
To help students facilitate better discussion, we have included some critical thinking questions
under each policy on the agenda that students can apply during the committee process.
We are excited to have youth both presenting their youth council policy ideas and debating on
topics that will be relevant to them in the future.