Derrin R. Owens is an American politician and a Republican member of the Utah State Senate who represents Senate district 27 and previously district 24. He previously served Utah House of Representatives representing District 58[1] from August 10, 2015 to December 31, 2020.
Derrin Owens | |
|---|---|
| Member of the Utah Senate | |
| Assumed office January 1, 2021 | |
| Preceded by | Ralph Okerlund |
| Constituency | 24th district (2021–2023) 27th district (2023–present) |
| Member of the Utah House of Representatives from the 58th district | |
| In office August 10, 2015 – December 31, 2020 | |
| Preceded by | Jon Cox |
| Succeeded by | Steve Lund |
| Personal details | |
| Born | April 7, Show Low, Arizona |
| Nationality | American |
| Political party | Republican |
| Residence | Fountain Green, Utah |
| Alma mater | Southern Utah University and Grand Canyon University |
| Profession | School Counselor |
Early life and education
editOwens was born in the Show Low, Arizona and is the eighth of nine children. After serving a mission for the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints in Chicago, Illinois, his family moved to Ephraim, Utah. He received a bachelor's degree in Social Science from Southern Utah University. He received a master's degree in Education from Grand Canyon University. He is now a school counselor who works closely with the students at Juab High School. He currently lives in Fountain Green, Utah with his wife Heather and five children.[2]
Political career
edit2015 Owens was appointed by Governor Gary Herbert after the resignation of former Representative Jon Cox.[3]
During the 2016 General Session Owens served on the House Business and Labor Committee, House Natural Resources, Agriculture, and Environment Committee, and Higher Education Appropriations Subcommittee. During the interim he serves on the Business and Labor Interim Committee and the Transportation Interim Committee.[4]
In 2020, he announced he would instead run for the Utah State Senate, winning the November election with 90.2% of the vote, against Independent American Party of Utah candidate Warren Rogers.[5]
In 2021, he was denounced for 'inappropriate and offensive' remarks regarding black people during a Utah senate hearing.[6]
2016 sponsored legislation
edit| Bill Number | Bill Title | Status |
|---|---|---|
| HB0139 | Transparency Advisory Board Modifications | Governor Signed - 3/18/2016 |
| HB0226 | Early Intervention Amendments | House/ filed - 3/10/2016 |
| HB0447 | Student Residence Amendments | House/ filed - 3/10/2016 |
| HB0448 | Airport Fee Amendments | Governor Signed - 3/23/2016 |
In 2016, Owens floor sponsored SB 144 Dead Domestic Animal Disposal Amendments. [7]
References
edit- ^ "Derrin Owens' Biography". Project Vote Smart. Retrieved April 12, 2016.
- ^ "Utah Representatives". Retrieved April 12, 2016.
- ^ "2014 Election Results". Ballotpedia. Retrieved April 12, 2016.
- ^ "Derrin Owens Legislative Page". Utah House of Representatives. Retrieved April 12, 2016.
- ^ "Derrin Owens". Ballotpedia. Retrieved 2021-01-25.
- ^ "Utah senator criticized for 'inappropriate' remarks during hearing on race-based hair discrimination". The Salt Lake Tribune. Retrieved 2022-03-01.
- ^ a b "2016 Legislation". Utah Legislature. Retrieved April 12, 2016.
External links
edit- Official page at the Utah State Legislature
- Profile at Project Vote Smart
- Derrin Owens at Ballotpedia
- Derrin Owens Twitter Archived 2016-04-15 at the Wayback Machine