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SJ 45

Interim study to determine a use policy for the executive residence when the governor has an alternate residence

2025 Regular Session Introduced by Mary Ann Dunwell

SJ 45 would have directed an interim study to develop a formal use policy for the governor’s executive residence when the governor has an alternate private residence.

(S) Died in Process
#housing #legislature #interimstudies
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Bill Summary · SJ 45

Summary — SJ 45: Interim study to determine a use policy for the executive residence when the governor has an alternate residence

Status: Died in Process (Senate) — Introduced Apr 16, 2025; Died May 23, 2025
Primary sponsor: Sen. Mary Ann Dunwell
Classification: Joint Resolution
Subject matter: Housing; Legislature; Interim studies
Related bill/draft: LC 1827 (replaces)

Purpose and intent

SJ 45 is a Senate joint resolution that would have established an interim study to develop a formal use policy for the state executive residence in cases where the governor maintains an alternate private residence. The study’s stated purpose (from the title) is to evaluate and recommend appropriate policy for occupancy, management, and use of the governor’s official residence under circumstances when the governor lives elsewhere.

Key provisions (based on resolution title)

The resolution would have directed the Legislature to conduct an interim study with the objective of determining a use policy for the executive residence. While the resolution text is not included here, studies of this type typically address:
- Who may live in or use the executive residence when the governor has an alternate residence (e.g., occupant rules, temporary occupancy);
- Administrative responsibility for maintenance, staffing, security, and insurance;
- Permitted public and private uses (official events, public tours, rentals or other uses);
- Fiscal implications and funding for upkeep and security;
- Historical preservation and public access considerations;
- Recommended statutory or administrative changes to implement the policy.

(If enacted, the resolution would have specified membership, timeline, staff support, and reporting requirements for the study; those details are not available in the provided record.)

Who would be affected

  • Office of the Governor and governor’s staff (policies on housing, operations, and security);
  • Legislative committees responsible for interim studies and any agencies asked to provide information (e.g., state facilities, historical or cultural agencies);
  • Potential occupants or users of the executive residence; and
  • State budget/administrative operations to the extent the study identified cost or staffing changes.

Procedural history and timeline

  • 2024-11-22: Drafting began (drafter assigned).
  • 2025-04-16: Senate — First Reading; bill introduced and referred to State Administration.
  • 2025-04-17: Hearing, State Administration Committee.
  • 2025-04-23 / 04-24: Committee executive action and report — Bill Passed out of State Administration.
  • 2025-04-28: Scheduled for 2nd Reading; 2nd Reading pass motion failed and the 2nd Reading was indefinitely postponed.
  • 2025-05-23: (S) Died in Process — the resolution did not advance to final passage.

Potential impact

Because SJ 45 did not become law, no policy changes resulted. Had it passed, the study could have produced recommendations leading to statutory or administrative changes governing the executive residence, with modest short-term administrative costs for the study and uncertain longer-term fiscal impacts depending on the recommendations (e.g., changes to staffing, maintenance budgets, or security).

Compiled from official sources — confirm details with the bill’s official record.

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