Immigration law, other new statutes go into effect Wednesday

Along with the start of the state's fiscal year, 31 pieces of legislation passed by Utah lawmakers last winter spring to life today.

The new laws provide cash infusions to kick-start transportation and technology projects, stiffen penalties for underage drinkers who drive and reach a little deeper into taxpayer wallets.

July 1 also marks the official starting date of Utah's new immigration strike force, a new crime-fighting crew that will target felony-level crimes committed by undocumented residents. Attorney General Mark Shurtleff, whose office runs the unit, said last week that the work has already started.

"We've got all the personnel hired and have four, full-time investigators," Shurtleff said. "Operations have begun with some initial successes."

Shurtleff declined to comment on those successes, citing ongoing investigations, but said reports would be forthcoming.

The strike force was created by this year's HB64, sponsored by House Majority Whip Brad Dee, R-Washington Terrace, co-chairman of last summer's interim immigration committee. The price tag for the new enforcement effort comes in just under $900,000 and was financed with stimulus funds.

Money from the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act will also help finance the Utah Science, Technology and Research Governing Authority. Created in 2006, USTAR is tasked with commercializing products and technologies produced by research conducted at the University of Utah and Utah State University. The Legislature approved $33 million in funding in 2009.

Borrowed money, to the tune of $40 million, was ratified in HB185 to go toward construction of the Mountain View Corridor, I-15 improvements and a number of local projects, including a new viaduct for Salt Lake City at North Temple and 400 West. The project is critical to a planned expansion of TRAX to the airport.

Tooling around on the state's newly improved roads will come at a higher price, starting Wednesday. The Legislature approved a blanket $20 hike on the fee paid to register a vehicle in the state.

Other laws taking effect today:

 SB272: Increases penalties for anyone under 21 convicted of drinking and driving. Repeat offenders can expect to lose their license for two years (up from one year) on a second offense, and their refusal of a blood test with an alcohol-related offense on their record will net a three-year suspension (up from two).

 SB100: Calls for public schools to prod parents toward thinking about saving for their kids' college education through issuing a "financial and economic literacy passport." The passport provides information to parents on budgeting, banking, career management, etc.

 HB328: Ratchets up student achievement reporting requirements for elementary schools and creates a pilot program for creating a performance-based pay system for elementary teachers.

 HB240: Creates criminal penalties for the "wanton killing" of a livestock animal. Kill a chicken (or any beast worth less than $300) and you'll be charged with a class B misdemeanor. Kill a prized rodeo bull (or any animal worth more than $5,000) and you're looking at a second-degree felony.

E-mail: araymond@desnews.com