With only 10 days of warning that he would be serving as Utah's newest legislator, the newly chosen Rep. Chris Herrod, R-Provo, sat Monday hunched over a stack of 20 some bills that require his attention on the floor of the House of Representatives.

Herrod replaced Jeff Alexander, who did not run for re-election but made the announcement too late to get the ballot changed.

Herrod says that he has "got his feet under him," even though he has had little time to think through his legislative agenda. "Most of what I am interested in," Herrod says, "has already been sponsored by someone."

That, however, won't stop Herrod from perusing his legislative priorities. Immigration, transportation and education top his list for Utah County's needs. "Transportation is absolutely critical," he said.

Fellow Provo Representative Stephen Clark pointed to the large board listing the variety of bills up for discussion Tuesday and said that Herrod declared his intention to read each of those bills by morning.

"He's great," Clark said about Herrod. "He's young, energetic and has a great mind."

This story appeared in The Daily Herald on page A3.