Ralph Ole Okerlund[1] (July 28, 1952 – October 9, 2024) was an American politician and a Republican member of the Utah State Senate that represented District 24 from 2009 to 2020.[2] He was the Senate's majority leader from January 28, 2013, to 2020.
Ralph Okerlund | |
|---|---|
 Okerlund in 2013 | |
| Majority Leader of the Utah Senate | |
| In office January 28, 2013 – December 31, 2020 | |
| Preceded by | Scott K. Jenkins |
| Succeeded by | Evan Vickers |
| Member of the Utah Senate from the 24th district | |
| In office January 1, 2009 – December 30, 2020 | |
| Preceded by | Darin G. Peterson |
| Succeeded by | Derrin Owens |
| Personal details | |
| Born | July 28, 1952 Salina, Utah, U.S. |
| Died | October 9, 2024 (aged 72) Monroe, Utah, U.S. |
| Political party | Republican |
| Education | Dixie State University University of Utah (BA) |
Background
editOkerlund earned his AA from Dixie State College (now Utah Tech University) and his BS in political science from the University of Utah.[3] He has worked in agriculture.[3] Okerlund was married to his wife, Cindy and they have three children.[4] He died on October 9, 2024 at the age of 72.[5][6]
Political career
editBefore he was a senator, Okerlund was on the Monroe City Council, served as Monroe City Mayor and the Sevier County Commissioner, was president of Utah State Association of Commissioners and Councilmen, and was president of Utah Association of Counties.[3] Okerlund was elected to the Senate in 2008.[3]
In 2016, Okerlund served on the following committees:[7]
- Executive Appropriations Committee
- Executive Offices and Criminal Justice Appropriations Subcommittee
- Natural Resources, Agriculture, and Environmental Quality Appropriations Subcommittee
- Senate Economic Development and Workforce Services Committee
- Senate Natural Resources, Agriculture, and Environment Committee
During the 2014 General Session, Okerlund was conducting a meeting with House and Senate GOP leaders when he stepped out into the hallway and apparently passed out.[8] He said he had felt light-headed.[8] He was not able to return for the last two days of the session.[3][8]
Elections
edit| Party | Candidate | Votes | % | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Republican | Ralph Okerlund (unopposed) | -- | -- | |
| Party | Candidate | Votes | % | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Republican | Ralph Okerlund | 29,588 | 86.4% | |
| Constitution | Trestin Meacham | 4,647 | 13.6% | |
| Party | Candidate | Votes | % | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Republican | Ralph Okerlund | 19,073 | 67.60% | |
| Democratic | Tobiah Dillon | 6,571 | 22.9% | |
Legislation
edit2016 sponsored bills
edit| Bill Number | Bill Title | Bill Status |
|---|---|---|
| S.B. 63 | Survey Monument Replacement | Governor Signed 3/22/2016 |
| S.B. 70 | Insurance Modifications | Senate/Filed for bills not passed 3/10/2016 |
| S.B. 71 | Children's Justice Center Amendments | Governor Signed 3/25/2016 |
| S.B. 102 | High Cost Infrastructure Amendments | Governor Signed 3/28/2016 |
| S.B. 134 | Oil and Gas Conservation Account Amendments | Sent to Governor 3/15/2016 |
| S.B. 144 | Dead and Domestic Animal Disposal Amendments | Governor Signed 3/17/2016 |
| S.B. 147 | Revisor's Technical Corrections to Utah Code | Governor Signed 3/28/2016 |
| S.B. 205 | Ethics Revisions | Governor Signed 3/28/2016 |
| S.B. 257 | Public-Private Partnership Amendments | Senate/Filed for bills not passed 3/10/2016 |
| S.B. 258 | Distribution of Local Sales Tax Revenue | Governor Signed 3/28/2016 |
| SCR 4 | Concurrent Resolution- Old Spanish Trail Designation | Governor Signed 3/1/2016 |
| SCR 10 | Communications Spectrum Translator System Concurrent Resolution | Governor Signed 3/10/2016 |
| SCR 14 | Concurrent Resolution Designating Utah Broadcasters Awareness Week | Governor Signed 3/18/2016 |
| SJR 5 | Joint Resolution Authorizing Pay of In-session Employees | Sent to Lt. Gov 2/19/2016 |
Senator Okerlund was the Floor Sponsor for the following bills:
- H.B. 31 Enterprise Zone Amendments
- H.B. 52 Office of Outdoor Recreation Amendments
- H.B. 86 Postretirement Employment Restrictions
- H.B. 110 Election Law Changes
- H.B. 154 County Personnel Requirements
- H.B. 169 Little Sahara State Park Designation
- H.B. 217 Small School Funding
- H.B. 219 Resource Management Planning
- H.B. 266 Unclaimed Capital Credits Amendments
- H.B. 283 Public Utility Easement Amendments
- H.B. 287 Commission for the Stewardship of Public Lands and Private Donations for Public Lands Litigation
- H.B. 341 Interlocal Cooperation Act Amendments
- H.B. 479 Jail Contracting Rate Amendments
- HCR 2 Concurrent Resolution Recognizing the 40th Anniversary of the Utah Indoor Clean Air Act
- HJR 5 Joint Rules Resolution on Redistricting Standards
Notable legislation
editIn 2014, Senator Okerlund sponsored S.B. 88 Substitute Child Interview Amendments, which clarifies the right of child victims to keep confidential their interviews that are conducted at a Children's Justice Center, including video and audio recordings, and transcripts of those recordings.[12] This bill helps protect children who have suffered from abuse.[12] It was passed and signed by the Governor.[12]
References
edit- ^ "Ralph Okerlund's Biography". Project Vote Smart. Retrieved February 10, 2014.
- ^ "Okerlund, Ralph". Salt Lake City, Utah: Utah State Legislature. Retrieved February 10, 2014.
- ^ a b c d e f "Okerlund, Ralph". Utah State Senate. Retrieved April 15, 2014.
- ^ "Ralph Okerlund's Political Summary". Project Vote Smart. Retrieved April 15, 2014.
- ^ "Ralph Okerlund". Magleby Mortuary. Retrieved 11 October 2024.
- ^ Mahon, Spencer (10 October 2024). "Utah lawmaker Ralph Okerlund has died, state officials say". ABC4. Retrieved 11 October 2024.
- ^ "District 24 Senator - Utah State Senate". senate.utah.gov. Retrieved 2016-04-01.
- ^ a b c Amy Joi O'Donoghue. "Utah Senate Majority Leader Ralph Okerlund 'doing well' after being rushed to hospital". Deseret News. Archived from the original on March 13, 2014. Retrieved April 15, 2014.
- ^ "Utah State Senate Elections, 2016 - Ballotpedia". ballotpedia.org. Retrieved 2016-08-03.
- ^ "Ralph Okerlund - Ballotpedia". ballotpedia.org. Retrieved 2016-03-31.
- ^ "2016 -- Legislation(Senate)". le.utah.gov. Retrieved 2016-03-31.
- ^ a b c "S.B. 88 Substitute Child Interview Amendments". Retrieved April 15, 2014.
External links
edit- Official page at the Utah State Senate
- Profile at Vote Smart
- Ralph Okerlund at Ballotpedia
- Ralph Okerlund at the National Institute on Money in State Politics