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SALT LAKE CITY — Yet another attempt by clean air groups and Democratic lawmakers to repeal Utah's "no more stringent" law has survived early scrutiny in 2015 Legislature, clearing a Senate committee by a 4-2 vote.
Sen. Gene Davis, D-Salt Lake City, urged his SB87 be heard on its own merits and not fail because of comparisons to other measures that may be more complex, with additional provisions.
"This is a straight repeal," he told members of the Senate Natural Resources, Agriculture and Environment Committee on Wednesday. "It is a Utah solution to a Utah problem."
Davis ran the bill last year, but it ultimately failed. It allows the state to make rules — specifically related to air pollution — that are more stringent or apart from what the federal government has implemented by repealing a statutory provision that forbids that action.
"This one is the most obvious to me that starts the whole framework" for crafting a Utah answer to air pollution challenges, said Sen. Jani Iwamoto, D-Salt Lake City. "I feel like Sen. Davis' bill is straightforward and clear cut, the right way to go."
Other members of the committee wanted to Davis to collaborate with Rep. Becky Edwards, R-North Salt Lake, on a measure she is running that allows adoption of tougher standards, but only after public comment and hearings on any change, and with rigorous research-backed justification.
Edwards' measure, HB226, has not yet had a committee hearing.
Multiple groups such as Utah Physicians for a Healthy Environment and Utah Moms for Clean Air testified in favor of Davis' measure, while the Utah Manufacturers Association opposed the bill, saying the state needs certainty when it comes to regulations.
The bill now advances to the full Senate for further consideration. Email: amyjoi@deseretnews.com Twitter: amyjoi16
