A bill that bans Utah cities from enforcing anti-idling ordinances advanced in a House Committee Thursday. Last fall, Salt Lake City passed such an ordinance in an effort to improve air quality. And despite the city’s promise to change it, lawmakers passed the bill twelve to two. Salt Lake City resident Ingrid Griffinson told the committee she doesn’t feel the move is very democratic.
A bill that makes adjustments to Utah’s environmental boards passed through committee yesterday, despite wide concern from opponents who fear the public could lose its voice. Republican Senator Margaret Dayton says her bill is needed to shrink the size of the Department of Environmental Quality boards that control air, water and hazardous waste, which she says have become too large. Her bill would also change the way appeals are heard, bringing in administrative law judges and giving more authority to the department director.
A strike at lifelong employment for college professors failed to pass the House Education Committee Wednesday. Republican Representative Chris Herrod’s second attempt to ban Utah colleges and universities from granting academic tenure failed on a 10-to-4 vote. Opponents of the bill noted the state’s strengthened five-year tenure review, which frustrated Herrod, who says that was a direct result of his attempt to ban tenure last year.
State lawmakers are looking for a silver lining in the Utah Transit Authority’s mounting debt dilemma. A legislative audit revealed in January that it’s uncertain whether the agency can afford to operate its costly new projects. UTA officials say they’re confident they can rein in the debt, but as KCPW’s Whittney Evans reports, some lawmakers want to know how.
One state lawmaker’s attempt to bring Utah’s residential building codes up to date hasn’t been assigned a committee hearing, despite widespread support from local governments, businesses and residents. Republican Representative Fred Cox says adopting the latest building codes for new homes is important for public safety and energy cost savings, but as KCPW’s Whittney Evans reports, at least one organization is fighting the change, saying it would cost homeowners too much.
A bill aimed at providing more support to military families who are transferred out of state passed unanimously out of the House of Representatives this morning. Democratic Representative Lynn Hemingway, sponsor of HB 263, says it provides unemployment benefits for military spouses who are forced to quit their jobs when their husband or wife is re-located.
A proposal to exempt military personnel from paying state property taxes while on active duty got broad support in a House committee Monday. House Joint Resolution 12 is sponsored by Republican Representative Stephen Sandstrom, who says the legislature should do more than simply honor servicemen and women for a day.
Legislation that would ban teenagers from talking on a cell phone while driving got the support of the Utah Senate today. But as KCPW’s Whittney Evans reports, lawmakers have some concerns that could still prevent it from moving forward.
An attempt to get a statewide anti-discrimination law for the LGBT community on the books came closer than ever to becoming reality Friday when lawmakers met in a crowded committee room at the State Capitol. But as KCPW’s Whittney Evans reports, the bill isn’t likely to leave that committee anytime this year.
Utah residents will still be changing their clocks twice a year. Friday, the House Judiciary Committee killed a bill that would have eliminated daylight savings time in the state. Republican Representative Jim Nielson says he brought the proposal forward to protect Utah’s most vulnerable residents.
