From Deseret News archives:
Utahns to see 325 more rules
From tax hike to booster seats to Henry's Law, legislators kept busy
Gov. Jon Huntsman Jr. only vetoed one bill after the last general session — a measure that Huntsman said reduced the power of the executive branch by giving legislators more authority over the governor's power to sign interstate compacts.
Perhaps because it is an election year for Huntsman, all 75 House members and half of the 29-member Senate, the 2008 Legislature was devoid of some of the great battles of years gone by. For example, there was no private school voucher bill.
But legislators still slugged their way through 744 bills and resolutions that were introduced by the part-time lawmakers during the 45-day session, which ended March 4.
Many, if not most, of the new laws may never be seen or felt by many Utahns. Othes will change forever the daily lives of Beehive State residents.
From car seats to "Henry's Law," here are some of the major or more interesting pieces of legislation that become law:
• State sales tax goes up from 4.65 percent to 4.7 percent, the increased money going to roads.
• Children (not babies, which already had to be in special seats or carry-ons) under 8 years of age must sit on a "booster seat" when they are buckled up into a car or truck.
• You can anonymously turn in a driver who you feel is a danger on the roads, even a relative such as a grandparent, and the driver may be required to pass various driving or medical tests to keep their license.
• Child abandonment is considered child abuse, with a penalty of up to a third-degree felony. This could help law enforcement take action against a polygamist group that forces out children under the age of 18.
• Cities and counties must make candidate financial disclosures available online.
• If you modify your vehicle to conceal illegal drugs, you can be charged with a Class A misdemeanor.
• A public campaign will begin to educate pregnant women about the use of harmful drugs.
• A nine-month notice must be given to mobile-home park residents before their leases can be voided and they have to move.
• Former teachers can be relicensed and retrained more easily.
• A person who wrongfully has his paycheck garnished can now get $1,000 from the person who wrongly placed a lien on his pay.
• Veterans of World War II, Korea and Vietnam who left high school to join the military services can get an honorary high school diploma.
• Nearly $20 million is set aside for a veteran's home in Ogden.
