Boxers will be more tightly regulated, convicted drunken drivers further restricted and church steeples protected from zoning laws, thanks to bills signed Friday by Gov. Jon Huntsman Jr.

All told, Huntsman signed 78 bills and resolutions Friday, although none of them had the impact of this week's earlier signings. Instead, they were primarily bills with technical amendments and so-called "clean-up" bills that close loopholes or clarify existing laws.

The governor also signed HCR11, which honored this year's University of Utah football team for winning the Fiesta Bowl. The Utes became the first team from a conference outside of the Bowl Championship Series to play in a BCS bowl. Unlike leaders of the House of Representatives — primarily fans of Brigham Young University who let their rivalry flag fly during a February ceremony to honor the Utes — Utah alumnus Huntsman enthusiastically signed the resolution, spokeswoman Tammy Kikuchi said.

"He was absolutely willing to sign that one and very happy about it," she said

Although the governor has signed approximately half of the bills passed by the Legislature this session, there remain a few controversial bills to be signed. Those include two child welfare bills, a resolution approving a landfill in Tooele County, and a number of budget bills or bills that fund some of his priorities, such as tourism promotion and corporate tax cuts.

Kikuchi said that whether Huntsman planned to veto any bills before next Friday's deadline was not yet decided. He can also choose to allow bills to go into effect without his signature.

Highlights among the bills signed Friday:

• SB11, Initiative Petitions Amendments, will give petition signers the option to include their birthdate to help verify their status as a registered voter.

• SB42, Alcohol Restricted Drivers, which prohibits drivers who are on probation for driving under the influence to drive with any measurable amount of alcohol in their system.

• SB106, Religious Land Use Act, will prevent local zoning ordinances from preventing the construction of building parts considered essential to worship, such as steeples.

• SB149, Pete Suazo Athletic Commission Amendments, gives the commission control over fight competitions, such as boxing, wrestling or ultimate fighting.

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E-mail: jloftin@desnews.com