Estimated read time: 2-3 minutes
This archived news story is available only for your personal, non-commercial use. Information in the story may be outdated or superseded by additional information. Reading or replaying the story in its archived form does not constitute a republication of the story.
SALT LAKE CITY — Opposition stalled a measure making it a crime to leave animals tethered, and a bill that would do away with the requirement that motorists have vehicle registration in the car found new support.
For these and other happenings on Utah's Capitol Hill last week, click on the headlines below.
Animal-tethering bill stalls in Utah Senate committee
Senate Minority Leader Gene Davis, D-Salt Lake City, was frustrated Friday after his bill making it a crime to leave an animal tethered outside without adequate shelter was held by a legislative committee.
SB91 faced opposition from the rural community, particularly farmers and hunters who are concerned the bill would have unforseen consequences on them and their animals.
Utah lawmaker brings back bill to end auto registration requirements
The third time was a charm for Rep. Christine Watkins, R-Price, who found support from a House committee on her proposal to repeal the requirement that motorists have vehicle registration in the car.
The House Transportation Committee voted last week to send Watkins' HB161 to the full House for further debate. The bill had been shot down in a previous presentation to the committee.
This time, lawmakers gave it a unanimous thumbs-up.
Utah Senate looks forward to Sen. Okerlund's healthy return
The day after announcing changes to Senate leadership while Senate Majority Leader Ralph Okerlund undergoes evaluation for heart and kidney transplant surgery, Senate leaders said Friday they view the shifts as temporary and look forward to Okerlund's healthy return.
"We're not concerned about how things are shuffled up here. Our concerns are with him, his health and that he gets back here at full strength," said Senate President Wayne Niederhauser, R-Sandy.
Sen. Kevin Van Tassell, R-Vernal, will serve as majority leader until Okerlund's return. Sen. Evan Vickers, R-Cedar City, will fill in for Van Tassell as Senate vice chairman of the Executive Appropriations Committee.
United Utah Party announces slate of Utah County candidates
The fledgling United Utah Party announced four candidates for three legislative races and one commissioner seat Wednesday.
Isaac Walters will challenge Rep. Kay Christofferson, R-Lehi, for House District 56. Walters is a Provo resident and earned a bachelor's in theater from Brigham Young University, a master's in directing from Columbia University and an MBA from the University of Wisconsin. Walters has spent a majority of his career in higher education and currently works at Utah Valley University, according to a news release from the party.
