Derrin Owens Explained

Derrin Owens
Office1:Member of the Utah Senate
Constituency1:24th district (2021–2023)
27th district (2023–present)
Term Start1:January 1, 2021
Predecessor1:Ralph Okerlund
State House2:Utah
District2:58th
Term Start2:August 10, 2015
Term End2:December 31, 2020
Predecessor2:Jon Cox
Successor2:Steve Lund
Birth Date:April 7,
Birth Place:Show Low, Arizona
Nationality:American
Party:Republican
Residence:Fountain Green, Utah
Alma Mater:Southern Utah University and Grand Canyon University
Profession:School Counselor

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.

Early life and education

Owens 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

2015 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

Bill Number Bill Title Status
HB0139 Transparency Advisory Board ModificationsGovernor Signed - 3/18/2016
HB0226 Early Intervention AmendmentsHouse/ filed - 3/10/2016
HB0447 Student Residence AmendmentsHouse/ filed - 3/10/2016
HB0448 Airport Fee AmendmentsGovernor Signed - 3/23/2016
[7]

In 2016, Owens floor sponsored SB 144 Dead Domestic Animal Disposal Amendments.

External links

Notes and References

  1. Web site: Derrin Owens' Biography. Project Vote Smart. April 12, 2016.
  2. Web site: Utah Representatives. April 12, 2016.
  3. Web site: 2014 Election Results. Ballotpedia. April 12, 2016.
  4. Web site: Derrin Owens Legislative Page. Utah House of Representatives. April 12, 2016.
  5. Web site: Derrin Owens. 2021-01-25. Ballotpedia. en.
  6. Web site: Utah senator criticized for ‘inappropriate’ remarks during hearing on race-based hair discrimination . 2022-03-01 . The Salt Lake Tribune . en-US.
  7. Web site: 2016 Legislation. Utah Legislature. April 12, 2016.