Having inherited a large deficit, the governor called for an audit that recovered a million dollars from various state agencies The Democrat-controlled legislature, with Bamberger's approval, passed such progressive legislation as creating a Public Utilities Commission and passing a Workmen's Compensation Act to be administered by a new State Industrial Commission, a Corrupt Practices Act, a Labor Organization Act, and a bill implementing the initiative and referendum process were also passed, and the governor also signed a statewide prohibition bill.

During World War I Bamberger supported the Liberty Bond drives, often traveling at his own expense to promote their sale. The 1919 legislature continued the progressive trend by passing a mine tax law advocated by Bamberger despite his own mine holdings. He also urged passage of a bond issue for road building and signed bills requiring compulsory high school attendance and establishing a state securities commission. In September 1919 he called a special session of the legislature to ratify the national women's suffrage amendment.

Bamberger declined to run for reelection in 1920 and returned to his business interests. He died in Salt Lake City in 1926 of an apparent heart attack.

Miriam B. Murphy