Utah Legislature
GOP delegates reject changes to nominating system; petition drive next?
Efforts to change the way Utah Republicans select their nominees were soundly defeated Saturday
Utah water regulators say a $3 increase per household on sewer rates would help the state address a problem
Utah Democrats called Friday for legislative hearings into scandals surrounding some of the state's top officials.
Legislature allows court to define fault when determining alimony
With a final Utah Senate vote tallied Wednesday, courts will be able to consider fault when awarding alimony after a divorce. Read more »
Hearing aid pilot program for needy children receives nod from Legislature
SALT LAKE CITY — A bill that would make hearing aids available to low-income children faces one more vote before final passage in the Utah Legislature. The Senate heard HB157 Wednesday, voting in unanimous support of... Read more »
Bill passed to require federal background checks for Utah child care workers
Individuals who apply for child care licenses in Utah will be subject to an additional background check, thanks to a bill that passed through the Senate on Wednesday. Read more »
Move to relocate state prison takes another step forward
A bill marking the next step in relocating the Utah State Prison from Draper passed the House on Wednesday, but not before lawmakers eliminated the possibility that a new facility could be... Read more »
Electronic student data 'backpack' bill clears Legislature after close House vote
A bill to create a one-stop shop online for all of a student's available performance data cleared the Utah Legislature Wednesday after a narrow victory in the House. Read more »
Legislature passes bill banning teen drivers from talking on cellphones
A bill that would fine teen drivers a maximum of $25 for talking on the phone was passed by the Senate Wednesday. Read more »
Legislature approves more than $150M extra to public education budget
Utah's public schools will see the largest funding increase in years under the terms of a revised budget that unanimously passed the House of Representatives Wednesday. Bill HB2 adds nearly $140... Read more »
'Constitutional carry' law could create showdown between governor, legislators
SALT LAKE CITY — A showdown between Gov. Gary Herbert and state lawmakers could be coming now that the Utah Legislature has passed a so-called "constitutional carry" gun law. The Senate... Read more »
Legislature passes bill allowing for protective orders in dating relationships
Despite protests that "roughhousing" teens could be subject to court orders, the Utah Senate gave final passage to a bill that enables Utahns 18 and older who are abused or threatened in dating relationships to seek protective orders. Read more »
Utah Marriage Commission gets final nod from Legislature
The Senate gave final legislative approval Tuesday to a bill enshrining the Utah Marriage Commission in state law. Read more »
Utahns celebrate home energy efficiency reforms
New homes won't be as drafty and utility costs will be lower after Utah lawmakers unanimously signed off on the first substantial revision of new home construction codes in seven years. Read more »
Driver's license division may issue temporary IDs
The state driver's license division may issue temporary IDs under a bill that was passed Tuesday by the Utah Senate. Read more »
Bill to fine teens for talking on phone while driving fails in Senate
A bill that would fine minors as much as $50 for talking on the phone while driving failed 11-13 Tuesday in the Senate. Read more »
Utah to collect, keep demographic information on abortions
Abortion statistics will be part of the state record, according to a bill passed by the Utah House of Representatives on Tuesday. Read more »
Utah Legislature approves bill that covers oral chemotherapy
Cancer patients may now have additional options for treatment, as far as insurance coverage goes. Read more »
Got gun? Senate favors bill saying you don't need permit
The Utah Senate gave initial approval Tuesday to a controversial bill that would allow people to carry concealed guns without a permit. Read more »
Bill prompted by Swallow consulting work passes House
A bill aimed at stopping political appointees in the state's elected executive offices, including the attorney general's office, was approved Tuesday by the House. Read more »
Alzheimer's disease advocates take to the hill for future support
Other than a resolution acknowledging the widespread issue, there isn't any pending legislation affecting Alzheimer's patients or their families in Utah this year. Advocates, however, are still... Read more »
House passes preventing regulation of outdoor wood boilers
The House passed a bill Monday to prohibit the Utah Air Quality Board from regulating outdoor wood boilers differently from other solid fuel burning devices. Read more »
Groups ask governor to veto bill allowing concealed weapons to be carried without permit
Gov. Gary Herbert was asked Monday to veto a bill that would allow concealed weapons to be carried without a permit. Read more »
Bill creating independent ethics panel in executive branch passes Senate
A bill that would create an independent ethics commission in the state's executive branch of government passed the Senate on Monday. Read more »
Senate approves bill facilitating transition to natural gas vehicles
Utah lawmakers overwhelmingly passed a bill that establishes a public service commission to facilitate the transition to natural gas in Utah. Read more »
Senator halts own resolution to give governor, Senate power over school board
Sen. Stuart Reid, R-Ogden, effectively withdrew his own resolution Monday that would have granted the governor and Senate approval and confirmation power over the state superintendent of public... Read more »
Proposed non-discrimination law won't be heard on Senate floor
A proposed statewide non-discrimination law ran into expected opposition in the state Senate and won't be debated before the gavel comes down on the Utah Legislature on Thursday night. Read more »
House passes bill that bans charging to remove mug shots
The House passed a bill Monday that would make it illegal to charge for the removal of mug shots published online. Read more »
Older stories can be found in the story archives
Utah facing $1.2 billion-dollar water pollution problem
Utah water quality regulators say a $3 increase per household on sewer rates would help the state address the most challenging water pollution problem they've seen since the federal Clean Water Act... Read more »
Utah GOP convention agenda includes vote on Common Core
Utah's Republican Party will vote on a resolution opposing the Common Core State Standards on Saturday. The resolution has received an unfavorable recommendation by party leadership who worry the... Read more »
Democrats call for legislative hearings into state executive scandals
Utah Democrats called Friday for legislative hearings into scandals surrounding some of the state's top elected officials. Read more »
NTSB says dropping legal limit for blood-alcohol level in drivers will save lives
The National Transportation Safety Board wants all states to lower the impaired driving definitions for blood-alcohol content from 0.08 percent to 0.05 percent. Read more »
Health care reform about to 'get real' for Utahns
Utah's legislative Health Reform Task Force discusses complicated terms and processes mandated by the Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act, which will continue to swing into effect throughout... Read more »
Feds fight Utah over measure to curb law enforcement authority
The federal government is asking a U.S. District Court judge to take emergency action preventing a law from taking effect Tuesday that would limit federal law enforcement officers' authority in... Read more »
Utah lawmakers look to regulate child access to e-cigarettes
Utah lawmakers intend to pursue legislation that would regulate the sale and marketing of electronic cigarettes to children and teens. Read more »
New law banning teen drivers from cellphones starts Tuesday
When Utah teenagers want to hit the road this week, they are going to have to hang up their cellphones. On Tuesday a new law prohibiting teens from using a cellphone while driving takes effect. Read more »
School officials report on class size reduction
Members of the State Office of Education presented their first report to the Education Interim Committee on the use of state class size reduction funds. Under a new law, schools must account and... Read more »
Swallow headlines spark question: Should Utah attorney general be elected or appointed?
State lawmakers held a lively discussion Wednesday over whether the attorney general in Utah should be appointed or elected. Read more »
State lawmakers likely to discuss Attorney General John Swallow's troubles
Embattled Utah Attorney General John Swallow will likely be a topic of discussion as state lawmakers gather for interim meetings Wednesday. Read more »
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