Gov. Spencer Cox calls special session as Legislature looks to repeal collective bargaining ban

SALT LAKE CITY — Gov. Spencer Cox called the Utah Legislature into a special session on Tuesday to handle several issues, including two major points of recent controversy: a new congressional map and the repeal of a law passed early this year that effectively banned collective bargaining for public sector labor unions.

The governor's press release indicates that since the ending of the 2025 legislative session, "certain matters have arisen which require immediate legislative attention."

The press release lists a handful of items to be considered at the session:

• The process of getting placement on the ballot for local elections.
• A joint resolution by the Legislature's House and Senate related to the congressional redistricting process.
• The Utah Supreme Court's jurisdiction over election, voting and redistricting cases.
• The repeal of HB267, Public Sector Labor Union Amendments.

Redistricting fight

The battle over Utah's new congressional map has been a pressing topic among Republican legislators in the state since the selection of new boundaries by a Utah judge. In fact, Cox said Sunday on the social platform X that most items on the agenda were "intended to facilitate the state's appeal of recent court decisions regarding redistricting."

Last month, 3rd District Judge Dianna Gibson threw out a new U.S. congressional map passed by the Republican-led Legislature in favor of an alternative map. The map selected by Gibson included a district encompassing the Salt Lake area that members of both parties saw as increasing the odds of a Democrat being elected there.

GOP lawmakers decried the move and said they planned to appeal Gibson's ruling to the Utah Supreme Court.

"I support the state's appeal and have confidence the Utah Supreme Court will consider it in a timely way so we have clarity for the 2026 election," Cox continued.

Senate President Stuart Adams and House Speaker Mike Schultz released their own statement about the intentions in the special session:

"A recent poll shows 71% of Utahns believe elected officials should oversee the redistricting process. The Legislature is taking action to restore order, ensure transparency and defend the integrity of our elections, keeping Utah's constitutional framework strong and stable."

However, one of the groups who sued the state in the redistricting case, the League of Women Voters of Utah, told KSL they believe Tuesday's special session is simply an attempt to undo the court's decision. League of Women Voters of Utah President Katharine Biele said the court ruling also represents the voice of the people.

"I just wish, we wish, that they would understand this is something we want, the people want. We have not taken away any of their authority; the Legislature still has the authority to draw maps, to change the districts, they just have to do it in a fair way," Biele said Monday.

Biele said the group plans to meet just before the session begins at the Capitol in protest.

Collective bargaining

"The call also includes the repeal of HB267," wrote Cox on X. "I support the repeal, and appreciate the Legislature's work to refocus this conversation to ensure government is doing its best to support our first responders, educators, and all those who serve our state."

Passed in the 2025 legislative session, HB267 banned public sector collective bargaining.

Backlash to the bill's passage, which drew large protests by public employees and especially teachers, included a movement to put the details of the bill up for a voter referendum next November.

The HB267 referendum signature-gathering process quickly garnered the 250,000 signatures necessary for a referendum. GOP lawmakers deliberated in the fall about what to do amid the public criticism of the bill.

The special session is set to begin Tuesday at 6 p.m.

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