Ralph Okerlund
Ralph Okerlund is an American politician and a Republican and a former member of the Utah State Senate that represented District 24 from 2009 to 2020. He was the Senate's majority leader from January 28, 2013 to 2020. Personal life, education, and career. Okerlund earned his AA from Dixie State College (now Dixie State University) and his BS in political science from the University of Utah. He has worked in agriculture. Okerlund is married to his wife, Cindy and they have three children. Political career. Before he was a senator, Okerland 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. Senator Okerlund was elected to the Senate in 2008. In 2016, Senator Okerlund served on the following committees: During the 2014 General Session, Senator Okerlund was conducting a meeting with House and Senate GOP leaders when he stepped out into the hallway and apparently passed out. He said he had felt light-headed. He was not able to return for the last two days of the session. Legislation. 2016 sponsored bills. Senator  Okerlund was the Floor Sponsor for the following bills: Notable legislation. In 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. This bill helps protect children who have suffered from abuse. It was passed and signed by the Governor.