Utah Legislature: Herbert wants GRAMA ombudsman; skiing, snowboarding added to state symbols list

Governor pushing for GRAMA ombudsman

SALT LAKE CITY — Gov. Gary Herbert favors having an ombudsman to handle requests for state government records.

And he said Thursday if lawmakers aren't prepared to create the position with legislation, he'll do it by executive order. Herbert said the ombudsman would act as "traffic cop" to facilitate requests and access to records.

The idea for an ombudsman grew out of the GRAMA working group the state formed after the HB477 debacle last year. The Legislature attempted to make the Government Records and Access and Management Act more restrictive, drawing loud public protests. Lawmakers later repealed the changes and set up a broad-based committee to study the law.

Sen. Curt Bramble, R-Provo, who served on the working group, intends to run a bill proposing changes to GRAMA, including the creation of an ombudsman.

Herbert said he wants to work with the Legislature to make that happen. The state, he said, could create the position at minimal cost to existing budgets.

— Dennis Romboy

Skiing, snowboarding to be Utah's official winter sports

SALT LAKE CITY — Just in time for making a run at hosting the Olympics again, skiing and snowboarding are set to become Utah's official winter sports.

The Senate unanimously approved HB201 on Thursday, adding the popular activities to the long list of state symbols. The House earlier approved the bill. It now goes to the governor.

Bill sponsor Rep. Steve Eliason, R-Sandy, said state symbols represent land and people, and this is the first one to tie both together.

Eliason noted the ski/snowboard industry brought $1.2 billion to Utah last year, up 67 percent since the 2002 Winter Olympics. Utah is the third most visited ski destination in the country and 40 percent of Utah homes have a skier or snowboarder, he said.

— Dennis Romboy

Governor, legislative leaders handicap chances for another Olympics

What are the chances of Salt Lake City getting the 2022 Winter Games?

"Less than 25 percent," according to Senate President Michael Waddoups, R-Taylorsville.