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SALT LAKE CITY — Utah lawmakers passed several bills on Tuesday, including a bill to more fully protect Utah voter information, a bill to extend renewable energy tax credits, and a bill to swap diesel school buses for alternative fuel vehicles.
Lawmakers also passed a bill clarifying exemptions for the 72-hour waiting period for abortions and declined to act on a canal safety measure.
Committee declines to act on canal safety measure
While lawmakers agree assuring canal safety is a critical issue for Utah, no one can agree on how that task should be accomplished and who should bear responsibility.
The conundrum associated with canal safety is about spreading accountability among the affected players — the canal operators, cities that allow encroaching development, and developers who insist on building despite the risks.
"The problem is how we can address the issue of canal safety, especially with the urban growth that we are experiencing," said Sen. Gene Davis, D-Salt Lake City, the sponsor of SB114.
House passes bill to protect Utah voter information
A bill aimed at letting voters protect their personal information passed the House on Tuesday.
Rep. Becky Edwards, R-North Salt Lake, described HB302 as what the public wants after Utah voter information, including birthdates and phone numbers, was made available online at no charge on a commercial website.
"Government should not require an individual to relinquish their right to privacy in order to be able to vote," Edwards told her fellow lawmakers, advising them that she had compiled copies of all of their personal information.
Committee endorses bill determining use of drones by police
A Senate committee endorsed a bill Tuesday that would govern how police use drones for surveillance.
SB167 prohibits Utah law enforcement from gathering information using an unmanned aerial vehicle without a search warrant supported by probable cause. The bill also creates requirements for storage, retention and disposal of data collected by drones.
Committee approves bill to extend tax credits to solar projects
A committee of lawmakers Tuesday agreed to extend the production tax credit to large-scale solar projects, essentially "leveling the playing field" for the development of solar fields in Utah.
Sponsored by Senate Majority Leader Ralph Okerlund, R-Monroe, SB224 would grant a financial incentive for solar projects. The tax break already exists for wind, geothermal and other renewable energy sources.
"Currently the production of renewable energy using wind, geothermal and biomass all receive production tax credits that help offset the higher costs of producing renewable power," Okerlund told members of the Senate Revenue and Taxation Committee.
House approves bill to replace diesel buses with alternative fuel vehicles
Utah's diesel school bus fleet may get an alternative fuel upgrade if a bill overwhelmingly approved by the House on Tuesday becomes law.
HB41, sponsored by Rep. Stephen Handy, R-Layton, calls for $20 million from the state's education fund to be used as grants to replace buses manufactured before 2002 with new alternative fuel or clean fuel models.
Bill passes requiring divorcing parents to take course earlier in process
With a 41-28 vote, the House passed a bill that would require divorcing parents take a course earlier in the divorce process.
HB323 would ensure the already required divorce course is taken near the beginning of the legal process so it’s more useful. The course covers the divorce process and presents reasonable alternatives.
Committee recommends bill to clarify exception to abortion waiting period
A Senate committee voted unanimously Tuesday to recommend bill that would clarify an exception to the required 72-hour waiting period for an abortion.
SB71 states an abortion can be performed without the mother's consent if two qualified physicians agree in writing the abortion is necessary to save the woman's life or keep her from severe bodily damage.
Resolution to use biodiesel fuel gets nod of approval
HJR5 was unanimously endorsed by the Natural Resources, Agriculture and Environment Committee on Tuesday, recognizing biodiesel as a clean, renewable resource that should be encouraged in Utah for its role in cleaning up the air and as a locally grown product.
"I have been extremely impressed with what this particular technology can do with our domestic fuel supply, for clean air, in making use of natural products out there," said Rep. Johnny Anderson, R-Taylorsville, the resolution's sponsor. "This is a Utah-based company producing really good, solid-based Utah jobs."
House GOP closes caucus to discuss bill aimed at Count My Vote initiative
House Republicans closed their caucus Tuesday to talk privately about a controversial bill aimed at the Count My Vote initiative that would replace the state's unique candidate nomination process with a direct primary election.
House Speaker Becky Lockhart, R-Provo, said the caucus took the unusual step of meeting behind closed doors because of possible litigation, but no decisions were made about SB54.
Democratic Hispanic Caucus to host Utah Diversity Day at the Capitol
Utah's growing diverse communities will have an opportunity to learn about the functions of elected lawmakers on March 7, during the second annual Utah Diversity Day at the Capitol.
The Utah State Democratic Party and the Utah State Democratic Hispanic Caucus invited the public to attend the event in the rotunda from noon to 2 p.m. that day.
House stalls bill on alcohol distilleries
A bill proposing to treat alcohol distilleries in Utah the same as wineries and breweries ran dry in a House committee Wednesday.
Members of the House Business and Labor Committee didn't want to expand a state law governing those outlets because they say it's confusing and flawed. The law doesn't address distilleries.
"The current statute needs to be fixed then it could be more equitably applied," said Rep. Jim Dunnigan, R-Taylorsville.
Contributing: Amy Joi O'Donoghue, Lisa Riley Roche, Dennis Romboy, Benjamin Wood
