SALT LAKE CITY — A proposal that would have precluded parents from defending themselves against child endangerment charges if they kick out a kid for being LGBT stalled, the Senate passed an amended gas tax, and a bill that would allow motorcycles to travel between lanes of traffic failed.

Here is a roundup of what's happening during the current legislative session:

Lawmakers divided on Utah's environmental message

A short-lived environmental resolution failed alongside its spiritual predecessor Monday after House lawmakers were divided on a vote to move the measure forward.

HJR18, sponsored by Rep. Becky Edwards, R-North Salt Lake, found a moment of life after a group of Utah students raised the issue of climate change with an informal public hearing at the Capitol that gained nearly 14,000 views on Facebook.

The students originally held their hearing as a protest of Orem Republican Sen. Margaret Dayton's decision to not hold a formal hearing on SJR9, a similar resolution sponsored by Sen. Jim Dabakis, D-Salt Lake City.

Despite a lengthy discussion, the resolution failed on a tie vote of 5-5.

Utah may join national crime prevention compact

Criminal records and background checks may soon be shared between Utah and other states as part of a crime prevention compact.

The House Law Enforcement and Criminal Justice Committee voted unanimously Monday in favor of HB445, sponsored by Rep. Steve Handy, R-Layton.

The bill, if passed into law, would tie Utah to the National Crime Prevention and Privacy Compact, a cooperative effort to share criminal information with other states and the federal government for the purpose of background checks.

Bill to protect LGBT from getting kicked out of homes stalls

A proposal that would have precluded parents from defending themselves against child endangerment charges if they kick out a kid for being LGBT stalled in a committee hearing Monday.

Lawmakers in a House committee meeting highlighted a wide array of concerns they had with the bill, including that it would push government regulation on families and that the legislation isn't needed.

HB271, sponsored by Rep. Elizabeth Weight, D-West Valley City, said she introduced the plan after learning from a Utah Division of Child and Family Services worker about the problem of LGBT youths in Utah getting kicked out of their homes.

Despite widespread criticism from Republican lawmakers, it was House Minority Leader Brian King, D-Salt Lake City, who requested that HB271 not get a vote.

King said he recognized it was not going to pass, and he wanted to help the bill avoid getting "thrashed" by its opponents in order to encourage the sponsor to keep working on it.

Senate committee advances Utah Public Lands Act

A bill that details the management and disposition of federal lands should they come under state control unanimously cleared a legislative committee Monday.

HB407, sponsored by Rep. Mike Noel, R-Kanab, would only go into effect should Utah get a federal lands transfer of 250,000 acres or more.

"This is a work in progress," Noel told members of the Senate Natural Resources, Agriculture and Environment Committee. "It might not happen in 10 years. It may never happen."

The bill would set up the Department of Land Management should Utah get a federal lands transfer of 250,000 acres or more and implement restrictions on the sale or lease of those lands. Land sales would be restricted to 100 acres or less and only if it is determined the land has negligible value for outdoor recreation, including hunting and fishing.

The bill, which passed in the House 54-12, now goes to the full Senate.

Legislature passes bill allowing massages during haircuts

The Utah House gave final approval Monday to a bill that would allow barbers to give neck and head massages with haircuts.

Following no debate but a few laughs, House lawmakers voted 72-1 to forward SB172 to Gov. Gary Herbert's desk for his consideration.

"I know you like a nice haircut and a nice scalp massage. All this bill does is allow you to keep getting that from your barber," bill sponsor Rep. Marc Roberts, R-Salem, quipped to House Speaker Greg Hughes, R-Draper.

The bill previously passed the Senate with a 28-1 vote.

Yesterday's legislative roundup:

Bill exempting search and rescue for 'reckless' behavior advances

Lawmakers advanced a bill that would exempt coverage for "reckless" behavior in search and rescues and a bill that would end home confinement as a sentencing option for most DUI offenders. Here's a roundup of what's happening on the hill.

Bill adding 'targeting' an officer to aggravated murder statute passes House

The Utah House on Monday advanced bill that would include the targeting of police officers with a list of acts of mass destruction that qualify a homicide as aggravated murder.

HB433, sponsored by Rep. Paul Ray, R-Clearfield, cleared the House on a 54-15 vote. It now goes to the Senate.

The bill also adds language to Utah code that defines the targeting of a law enforcement officer as "unlawful use of force and violence" against the officer, "causing serious bodily injury or death in furtherance of political or social objectives in order to intimidate or coerce a civilian population or to influence or affect the conduct of a government or a unit of government."

Critics of the bill, including representatives of the American Civil Liberties Union, have said the bill is unnecessary because Utah law already seeks penalty enhancements against people who kill law enforcement officers.

But proponents of the bill, including law enforcement representatives, have said ambush attacks on police in the U.S. have a chilling effect on officers.

Senate passes amended gas tax

The Utah Senate passed an amended gas tax after a brief presentation Monday evening.

The new gas tax, proposed in SB276, would impose a rate 16.5 percent on the statewide average price per gallon and would set a base price of $1.78 per gallon to maintain Utah roads.

The proposed tax would take effect in 2019.

The tax would adjust with inflation by applying a calculation of the consumer price index on gasoline.

The Senate passed the bill with a 26-2 vote, moving it to the House for further consideration.

House passes bill that alters operations of Utah High School Activities Association

A bill that would change the governing board of the Utah High School Activities Association, create a new panel for adjudicating appeals and impose state open meetings and records requirements was overwhelmingly supported Monday night by the Utah House.

The bill's sponsor, Rep. Francis Gibson, R-Mapleton, emphatically explained that HB413 does not address students' transfers to other schools but makes many other needed changes that ensure transparency and accountability.

Last year, the Utah State Board of Education passed a board rule that loosened transfer prohibitions, but the board has agreed to revisit that unpopular decision, Gibson said.

The legislation directs the activities association to adhere to the state Government Records Access and Management Act and calls for the creation of an independent hearing panel to ensure UHSAA rules are consistently followed.

The legislation was developed by a working group of state and local school board members, superintendents, high school coaches and members of the media.

The House of Representatives, on a vote of 62-13, passed the bill Monday night. It now moves to the Senate for its consideration.

House slams brakes on proposed California-style motorcycle law

A bill that would allow motorcycles to travel between lanes of traffic failed on the House floor late Monday night.

HB410, sponsored by Rep. Gage Froerer, R-Huntsville, was defeated on a 29-45 vote after short debate.

The bill would create a California-style law that would allow lane splitting — passing a vehicle moving the same direction in the same lane — when motorcycles determine they can safely make the move without exceeding 40 mph.

Contributing: Ryan Morgan, Hallie Golden, Amy Joi O'Donoghue, Katie McKellar, Marjorie Cortez

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