Utah's Rap On How A Bill Becomes Law

In 2018, the Utah House of Representatives released a rap video on Twitter explaining the process of how a bill becomes a law. Set to the theme song of The Fresh Prince of Bel-Air by Will Smith, the roughly 90-second clip features lawmakers rapping about the legislative process, with creative liberties taken for the sake of rhyming. While the video provides an accurate depiction of how a bill becomes a law, it has received mixed reactions, with some commenting on the risks of using humor to explain the complex political process.

Utah lawmakers rap about the legislative process

In 2018, members of the Utah House of Representatives released a rap video on Twitter explaining the legislative process. The roughly 90-second clip, titled "Fresh Prints of Bills Here," was set to the theme song of "The Fresh Prince of Bel-Air" by Will Smith. The legislators replaced the original lyrics with their own, outlining the journey of a bill to becoming a law. While the video aimed to educate viewers about the legislative process, it was met with mixed reactions, with some criticizing the use of humor to explain the complex political process.

The rap video begins with the lawmakers crooning, "This is a story about how our bills get flipped into a law. I'd like to take a minute, just sit right there. I'll tell you how a bill becomes law in this, our chamber." They continue, "In a legislator's mind, an idea is raised. In the law book is where they spend most of their days. Drafting out, maxing out, hardly relaxing, all cool." The legislators then describe the introduction of a bill, highlighting the involvement of committees and potential amendments: "And all introducing bill inside of our chambers, when more than a couple of guys start reviewing the bill, start making changes in committee on the hill."

The Utah representatives took creative liberties with their rhymes, such as pairing "there" with "chamber." While their interpretation of the legislative process was accurate, the video sparked a debate about the effectiveness of using humor to convey serious topics. Some viewers appreciated the lighthearted approach, while others felt it fell flat or even detracted from the importance of the subject matter.

This wasn't the first time Utah lawmakers had embraced rap to engage with constituents. Utah Attorney General Sean Reyes, for instance, had previously gained a reputation for rapping about policy at events such as charity dinners.

The rap is set to the theme of The Fresh Prince of Bel-Air

In 2018, members of the Utah House of Representatives released a rap video on Twitter explaining the process of how a bill becomes a law. Set to Will Smith's "The Fresh Prince of Bel-Air" theme song, the roughly 90-second clip shows lawmakers rapping about the legislative process.

The video, titled "Fresh Prints of Bills Here," begins with the famous line from the show: "I'd like to take a minute, just sit right there. I'll tell you how a bill becomes a law in this, our chamber." The legislators then take viewers through the steps of how a bill becomes a law, replacing Smith's lyrics about West Philadelphia with their own creative rhymes.

For example, they rhyme "chamber" with "there" and describe the legislators' work: "In a legislator's mind, an idea is raised. In the law book is where they spend most of their days. Drafting out, maxing out, hardly relaxing, all cool." They continue, explaining the introduction of a bill: "And all introducing bill inside of our chambers, when more than a couple of guys start reviewing the bill, start making changes in committee on the hill."

While the video provides an accurate depiction of the legislative process, it was met with mixed reactions online. Some criticized the attempt at humour in explaining the political process, while others appreciated the creative approach to civics education. Despite the mixed reviews, the Utah legislators' rap video certainly made a unique contribution to the discussion of how a bill becomes a law.

Lawmakers' attempt to make the legislative process cool

Lawmakers attempt to make the legislative process cool

In a novel approach to civic education, lawmakers from the Utah House of Representatives attempted to make the legislative process more engaging and accessible by creating a rap video explaining how a bill becomes a law. The video, titled "Fresh Prints of Bills Here," was set to the theme song of the popular television show "The Fresh Prince of Bel-Air" and released on Twitter in February 2018.

The lawmakers creatively adapted the original lyrics to explain the complex process of lawmaking, from the conception of an idea to the introduction and review of a bill within the legislative chamber. While the video aimed to engage citizens, particularly younger audiences, in the legislative process, it received mixed reactions. Some appreciated the effort to make civics more interesting, while others criticized the execution.

Utah lawmakers are not alone in their efforts to make the legislative process more accessible and engaging. In the past, Utah Attorney General Sean Reyes has also gained a reputation for rapping about policy at events such as charity dinners. Additionally, in a resolution honoring Lin-Manuel Miranda and the Broadway musical "Hamilton," Representative Ken Ivory of West Jordan delivered a rap performance on the House floor.

These attempts to infuse civics with pop culture and humor reflect a broader effort to increase civic engagement and make the inner workings of government more relatable to citizens. While the Utah rap video may not have been a critical success, it sparked conversations about the legislative process and the importance of effective communication between lawmakers and the public.

Overall, the Utah lawmakers' rap video represents a creative, if controversial, approach to civic education and a recognition of the need to meet people where they are—even if that means combining hip-hop and legislative procedure.

The rap video was released on Twitter

> Our representatives have taken the time to explain how a law is made…with a surprise twist. Give it a listen and share so all your friends can know how laws are made!

The video, titled "Fresh Prints of Bills Here", is a play on the theme song from the "Fresh Prince of Bel-Air", with legislators rapping about the process of a bill becoming a law. The roughly 90-second clip was shared on the Utah House of Representative's Twitter page and promptly dragged online. The video received mixed reactions, with some users commenting on the risk of using humour to explain the complex political process and others finding it entertaining.

The Utah lawmakers' rap video is not the first time they have attempted to engage with popular culture. In the past, they have referenced Kanye and performed lyrics from the Broadway musical "Hamilton" on the House floor. While the video may not have been well-received by everyone, it certainly brought attention to the legislative process and how a bill becomes a law.

The rap received mixed reactions and was dragged online

The rap video by the Utah House of Representatives received mixed reactions from the public. While the legislators' creative attempt to educate citizens on the legislative process is commendable, the execution fell flat for many. The video, titled "Fresh Prints of Bills Here," was shared on the Utah House of Representatives' Twitter page and promptly dragged online.

Some people found the video cringeworthy and awkward, with one commentator stating, "I can't watch but I also can't not watch." The use of Comic Sans font for the lyrics and the rhyming of "chamber" with "there" were particularly criticized. The video's release also sparked discussions about the potential consequences of legislators' decisions, as seen in tweets about letting drivers run red lights.

However, it's important to note that the rap video did receive some positive attention. The Utah House of Representatives' Twitter page encouraged people to watch and share the video, stating, "Our representatives have taken the time to explain how a law is made... with a surprise twist." The video's creative approach to civic education, while perhaps not to everyone's taste, did spark conversations about the legislative process and the workings of democracy.

The mixed reactions to the rap video highlight the challenges of using humor and creativity to engage citizens in understanding complex political processes. While some may find these approaches entertaining and accessible, others may view them as trivializing the seriousness of legislative work. The fine line between effective communication and cringe-worthy content is a delicate one to navigate, especially in the realm of politics.

Overall, the Utah House of Representatives' rap video sparked a range of responses, from criticism and ridicule to cautious appreciation for their efforts to educate the public about the legislative process through unconventional means.

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