Legislative actions

• A bill sponsored by Sen. Chris Buttars, R-West Jordan, proposes to make the Drug Offenders Reform Act a state-wide program to provide treatment for the estimated 80 percent of Utah inmates who have an underlying drug addiction. Although the bill has broad support, its $16 million price tag may prove an obstacle. SB50 unanimously passed the Senate Judiciary, Law Enforcement and Criminal Justice Committee today.

• A measure to track women and minority owned businesses garnered strong support this morning in the House Health and Human Services Standing Committee, with a 6-1 vote. Sponsor Mark Wheatley, D-Murray, said HB106 would help entities such as Hill Air Force Base and the University of Utah meet goals attached to federal funds for finding minority and women owned firms. The bill now moves to the House floor for a vote.

• Demonstrating at funerals would be against the law, under a bill that passed the House this morning. HB205 he bill makes it a class- B misdemeanor to demonstrate in a noisy and disruptive manner an hour before the funeral to an hour after the funeral within 200 feet of the ceremony. It now goes to the Senate for consideration.