But toward the end of the session when the all-powerful Executive Appropriations Committee meets in the same room to make decisions critical to hundreds of state programs, I don't see how there will near enough room for all who want to squeeze in.

Because of noise coming into and out of the House galleries, leaders decided to put back in upper glass windows, thus sealing the rooms from the chamber.

The same day, Senate leaders took out the upper glass windows in their galleries so visitors could hear voice votes (which are not picked up well by microphones in both chambers).

House Speaker Greg Curtis and Senate President John Valentine do their best to push various buttons to turn on members' individual microphones. But if they don't get to them quickly, especially if a member jumps up to demand a point of order, galleries can't hear.

It's not a big thing, really. But the Utah Constitution does say the Legislature will hold public meetings. And if you can't hear what legislators are saying (even if the chambers' official recording systems don't pick up comments), is it open?

Even more frustrating to House members and their audience, cell phones don't work well, or at all, in the House's basement digs.

And representatives who sit in the far left corner of the chambers can't see the calendar well, so they have to strain to see what bills are moving up for debate and voting.

Finally, the new digs have provided some embarrassing moments.

One representative was talking on her phone before floor work began. Microphones in the House ceiling were apparently left on, and a friend called her later to say she heard the representative's phone conversation over the Legislature's live Internet "streaming" service.

The microphones were turned off and may never be turned on again, leaders said, unless glitches are worked out.

And during debate Thursday, House Chamber lights went on and off for no apparent reason. But it wouldn't have been the first time lawmakers acted in the dark.

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Deseret Morning News political editor Bob Bernick Jr. may be reached by e-mail at bbjr@desnews.com