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SALT LAKE CITY — Lawmakers in the Utah state legislature introduced countermeasures this week to ballot initiatives seeking legal cannabis and more funding for public education. A symbolic measure to outlaw smoking at the Utah State Capitol also advanced.
In the roundup below, click on the headline for the complete story.
A state lawmaker says he's considering drafting legislation that would offer a route to legalization of medicinal cannabis that's different from what's being proposed to Utah voters in a ballot initiative.
Rep. Lee Perry, R-Perry, told KSL he's "just worried about what's going to happen (if the initiative passes), and that's why I've opened up a bill file."
Perry, a lieutenant with the Utah Highway Patrol, had recently opened a bill request, which so far is not finalized and has no formally drafted text available to the public, named "Medical Cannabis Amendments."
The entire Capitol complex, both inside and out, may soon be smoke free.
The House Government Operations Committee on Friday advanced a bill that would ban smoking and tobacco products at the complex, except for small smoking areas designated by the Capitol Preservation Board.
The sponsor of HB155, Rep. Bruce Cutler, R-Murray, said the action is symbolic.
"If we do this, we’ll send a signal to the state of Utah,” Cutler said.
The House Transportation Committee advanced a bill Friday amending the burden imposed by forms for diabetics seeking to renew their drivers' licenses.
"Far, far too many people having to fill out this form in their doctor's office when the cost was not really necessary," said the bill's sponsor, Rep. Ray Ward, R-Bountiful.
HB184 makes it far easier for doctors to choose when their patients need a follow-up. They could be good to drive for five years if they only have hypertension or a non-insulin dependent diabetes.
A state lawmaker unveiled a plan Friday to derail the Our Schools Now ballot initiative that would raise taxes to better fund public education.
Rep. Mike Schultz, R-Hooper, said the Legislature could funnel some $700 million to education over the next three years without a tax hike.
"This year we have huge increased revenue projections. We can do this without the tax increase," he said.
Nonviolent felons would be able to get help from the Utah Legislature to attend a technical school under a bill unanimously approved Wednesday by the House.
Rep. Val Potter, R-North Logan, said the pilot program created by HB106 will help prepare people in the justice system for a career, not just a job interview.
The grant program would be run by an attorney working very closely with the judicial system to pick candidates who "have a chance, have a GED and can prepare for a career," Potter said.
