Committee approves bills that grapple with prior year's election law

Two controversial bills that would alter, if not undo, last year’s Count My Vote initiative passed favorably out of a Senate committee Friday.

Sen. Scott Jenkins, R-Plain City, is sponsoring both bills in opposition to the legislative compromise that morphed from the Count My Vote initiative last year.

The initiative’s purpose was to increase voter participation, but the resulting compromise, SB54, fanned controversy among Republicans and pushed the state GOP to file a lawsuit.

SB54 gives candidates the option to bypass the state’s current caucus system and instead collect voter signatures for a place on the primary ballot. It also opens primary elections to all voters, as currently the Utah GOP only allows registered Republicans to vote in its primaries.

The Utah Republican Party’s lawsuit claims SB54 was unconstitutional and that parties should be free to determine how to nominate candidates.

[Lawmaker calls clean air bill 'painful' but 'appropriate' ](<http://www.ksl.com/index.php?sid=33381894&nid=148&title=lawmaker-calls-clean-air-bill-painful-but-appropriate >)

Sen. Scott Jenkins, R-Plain City, is continuing his efforts from last year to “put pressure on government” to help cleanse Utah’s air.

The pressure may have been too much, however, because the Senate Government Operations and Political Subdivisions Committee held his bill Friday, concerned about stresses it would place on state and local government entities.

“This is something I’d like to see us do, but it needs to be done with as little pain as possible,” said Sen. Daniel Thatcher, R-West Valley City, adding he supported the motion to hold the bill so the committee could “continue dialogue.”

SB69 would require at least 50 percent of all new or replacement government vehicles to be alternative-fuel or high-efficiency. The bill would expand upon Jenkins’ passed legislation from last year, SB99, which applied the same requirements to at least 50 percent of state government-purchased passenger vehicles.

Vote on resolution to seek convention of states delayed

After two hours of debate and public testimony Friday afternoon, lawmakers postponed a vote on a resolution to set in motion a convention of the states.

Members of the House Judiciary Committee agreed to resume the discussion at their next meeting.

HJR3, sponsored by Rep. Merrill Nelson, R-Grantsville, is the starting point in long process in Congress calling a convention of the states to consider an amendment to the U.S. Constitution. The amendment would allow the states to "rescind any congressional statute, judicial decision, executive order, treaty, government agency’s regulatory ruling, or any other government or non-government mandate," according to the resolution.

While a dozen other states are considering similar legislation, "I would love to be the first. I would love Utah to lead the way," Nelson said.

Thirty-four states would have to pass similar resolutions calling on Congress to convene a convention of the states.

Lawmakers grapple with raw milk regulations, public health concerns

Free enterprise, safeguarding public health and ensuring private property rights collided in what could have been a simple discussion over raw milk and who can sell it.

Ultimately, the contentious fight was tabled because the inherent issues that arise from what happens with a cow and the people who "purchase" an interest to sell or distribute the raw milk smacks at deeply rooted traditions.

The problem is this: A person who owns a cow can distribute all of its products, but not the milk.

Supporters of revising a law say that it should be relaxed so they can enjoy in the spoils of the cow and enter into small co-operatives that help small producers.

Larger dairy producers worry about the ramifications if people get sick and the entire industry suffers.

HB104, sponsored by Rep. Marc Roberts, R-Santaquin, seeks to remove certain prohibitions under the Utah Dairy Act when it comes to cow-sharing, or specifically the sharing of raw or unpasteurized milk from a hooved animal.

Under the provision, people could be involved in a "cow-sharing" enterprise in which multiple owners bought into an arrangement in which the milk was distributed.

Chaffetz talks gambling, public lands, taxes with Utah lawmakers

Rep. Jason Chaffetz has introduced legislation to ban online gambling such as Internet poker and other games of chance involving money.

The Utah Republican said he's trying to undo a 2011 Justice Department legal opinion that made online gaming legal in the United States, including Utah and Hawaii, the only states that prohibit gambling of any kind.

"I need your help and participation in paying attention to this because online gaming is coming to your 8-year-old's app sooner rather than later. It's on its way," Chaffetz told Utah lawmakers Friday.

In remarks to the both the House and Senate, the congressman touched on several issues, including a public lands initiative and getting rid of the federal gas tax.

Task force proposed to study reasons behind Utah's low voter turnout

Last year marked Utah’s lowest voter turnout in 54 years, as only 29 percent of Utahns legally able to vote cast a ballot, lawmakers said Friday.

“Why don’t many Utahns vote or even register to vote?” Rep. Patrice Arent, D-Millcreek, asked during a news conference at the Capitol. “Almost everyone has a theory, but we don’t really know why.”

That’s why Arent and Sen. Peter Knudson, R-Brigham City, have teamed up to sponsor HB200, a bill that would create a legislative task force to investigate the significant drop in voter participation and come up with solutions.

Working with Lt. Gov. Spencer Cox, Arent and Knudson revealed their proposal Friday for a task force that would conduct research to find out why Utahns seem to have “given up” on voting. The task force would then offer recommendations that can be presented to the Government Operations Interim Committee in November, Arent said.

Lawmakers to study Fairpark's future, funding needs

The Utah State Fairpark should either be kicked to the curb and redeveloped into housing and retail or allowed to be profitable and house a first-class minor league soccer stadium.

That dilemma is what faces lawmakers this session.

The future of the facility was the subject of much of discussion Friday at the meeting of the Natural Resources, Agriculture and Environment Subcommittee, which ultimately voted to form smaller group to study an array of issues.

Lawmakers will look at the $23 million in private funding to be secured for a minor league soccer facility, a proposal for finishing the rodeo grounds and the addition of an exposition building to host trade shows and other events.

The 11-day annual state fair, while it makes money, is not profitable enough to support the annual operations of the facility, which struggles with a host of needed repairs.

House panel passes 'Start By Believing' resolution to help assault victims

A House committee endorsed a resolution Friday that designates the first Wednesday in April as "Start By Believing Day" in support of sexual assault victims.

A Utah Commission on Criminal and Juvenile Justice study found that 1 in 3 Utah women will be sexually assaulted in her lifetime, a rate that is higher than the national average, said Rep. Angela Romero, D-Salt Lake City, sponsor of HCR1.

West Valley Police Chief Lee Russo told the House Law Enforcement and Criminal Justice Committee that victims often go to a friend first. "Start By Believing" is a public awareness campaign to help people steer victims to the criminal justice system, Russo said.

The committee unanimously approved the resolution. It now goes to the House floor.

Related topics