Lawmakers want to change Utah open records law

SALT LAKE CITY (AP) — Two lawmakers are seeking changes to Utah's open records law.

A bill being readied by Rep. Chris Herrod of Provo would increase penalties for government agencies failing to comply with the law.

Herrod says the bill is aimed at the Salt Lake City Police Department, which he claims has obstructed his efforts to ferret out records showing a link between undocumented immigration and crime.

A second, unrelated bill to amend the Government Records Access and Management Act would restrict disclosure of public employee pay.

Rep. Kraig Powell of Heber City says he's running the bill at the request of Wasatch County Payroll Manager Del Barney, who favors the release of a salary range rather than specific figures.