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SALT LAKE CITY — Looking back at the week in the Legislature, here are highlights of a few of the stories that have been missed.
A House committee endorsed a bill Friday that would for the first time make consumer complaints about certain businesses public, including types that were involved in the scandal surrounding former Attorney General John Swallow.
“This is a big win, in my view, for government transparency and accountability,” said media attorney Jeff Hunt.
If a consumer files a lawsuit seeking $3,500 or more or files one of at least 50 other complaints against the same person or business within the same four years, HB157 would require those complaints to become available to the general public.
Bill sponsor Sen. Curtis Bramble, R-Provo, said the issue arose out of the investigation into Swallow relating to online coaching or mentoring companies, an industry that contributed heavily to his election campaign and to his predecessor, Mark Shurtleff, and has drawn scrutiny from state and federal regulators.
A House committee endorsed a bill Friday that would for the first time make consumer complaints about certain businesses public, including types that were involved in the scandal surrounding former Attorney General John Swallow.
“This is a big win, in my view, for government transparency and accountability,” said media attorney Jeff Hunt.
If a consumer files a lawsuit seeking $3,500 or more or files one of at least 50 other complaints against the same person or business within the same four years, HB157 would require those complaints to become available to the general public.
State law may soon provide more flexibility for Utah parents who are filing for divorce and are required to complete a mandatory divorce course.
A House panel endorsed a bill Friday that would allow divorcing parents the option to take the entire course online.
Utahn Jennifer Dailey told committee members that it was challenging for her when she was going through the divorce process to find time to attend the class as a single mother.
"From personal experience, I think any opportunity that you can give to single parents to help them fulfill their obligations should be taken," Dailey said.
The court filing fee for parents seeking guardianship of their adult children with disabilities would drop from $360 to $35 under a bill endorsed by a House committee Thursday.
Rep. Becky Edwards, R-North Salt Lake, sponsor of HB399, said state law requires parents who raise children with disabilities to go to court to obtain guardianship once the youths reach age 18.
They must file a petition in court with the assistance of legal counsel, and they must also pay for an attorney to represent their child's interests. HB399 does not address changing those requirements.
"We're going to start by removing that original barrier," Edwards said.
Three legislative packages advanced and two failed Tuesday and Wednesday as lawmakers continue to debate how Utah's State School Board members should be vetted.
Utah's current system was ruled unconstitutional last year by U.S. District Judge Clark Waddoups, who said it violated free speech rights and lacked transparency. The task then fell to the Legislature to determine a new system of electing the top governing body of public education in the state.
