Week 6 Updates
Senate Minority Leader Karen Mayne
Senator Mayne's bill SB43 Criminal Provisions Modifications passed the house and is on its way to be signed by the governor. The bill cleaned up and improved parts of Utah's criminal code. It was the product of a task force that partnered with legislators, defense attorneys, the AG's office, the department of corrections, and other stakeholders.
Photo: Senator Mayne gives an interview to ABC4 news on her bill to provide incentives for teachers to earn national certification.
BILL REQUESTS: 16
BILLS IN SENATE:
BILLS PASSED OUT OF SENATE:
BILLS PASSING THE LEGISLATURE:
IN THE NEWS:
The Salt Lake Tribune Utah Senate committee kills House-approved bill that would allow cars to sometimes run red lights
Deseret News Parents, local governments would get 120-day notice prior to school closures under Utah bill
KSL.com Parents, local governments would get 120-day notice prior to school closures under Utah bill
Senate Minority Whip Luz Escamilla
Senator Luz Escamilla saw four bills successfully passed out of committees or the Senate this week: SB215 Adoption Services passed the Senate Judiciary, Law Enforcement, and Criminal Justice Committee; SB161 Medical Cannabis Act Amendments passed the House Health and Human Services Committee; SB225 Homeless Service Provider Amendments passed the Senate 3rd reading calendar and moved to the House; and SB143 Public Education Vision Screening passed the 3rd reading calendar in the House.
Photo: Senator Escamilla meets with 8th graders from Northwest Middle School.
BILL REQUESTS: 10
BILLS IN SENATE:
BILLS PASSED OUT OF SENATE:
BILLS PASSING THE LEGISLATURE:
IN THE NEWS:
The Salt Lake Tribune This cannabis patient is believed to be the first in Utah to face drug charges since the new state law was enacted. Prosecutors later dropped all counts.
Senate Minority Assistant Whip Jani Iwamoto
Senator Jane Iwamoto's big successes this week included SB134 Campus Safety Amendments passing out of the House Education Committee Tuesday evening. In addition to community testimonies, Matt McCluskey--father of slain University of Utah student Lauren McCluskey--flew in from Washington state to support the bill as well.
Senator Iwamoto's bill to reduce the minimum age of jail workers to 19 also passed the Legislature. Read more about how SB162 Corrections Officer Certification Amendments fills a critical need here.
BILL REQUESTS: 14
BILLS IN SENATE:
SB126 Motor Vehicle Insurance Minimums Amendments
BILLS PASSED OUT OF SENATE:
SB89S01 Conflict Disclosure Amendments
SB134 Campus Safety Amendments
BILLS PASSING THE LEGISLATURE:
SJR1 Joint Resolution Supporting the Study of Water Banking in Utah
SCR2 Concurrent Resolution Recognizing Navajo Code Talkers
SB61 Poll Hours for Early Voting
SB62S01 Campaign Finance Revisions
SB65 Utah Noxious Weed Act Amendments
SB81S01 Substitute Native American Remains Amendments
SB88 Crime Victims Restitution Amendments
SB101 Navajo Code Talker Recognition
SB162 Corrections Officer Amendments
IN THE NEWS:
Deseret News 'Remember Lauren': Father of slain University of Utah student Lauren McCluskey urges support of campus safety bill
The Salt Lake Tribune ‘This bill is in some sense written in blood’: Father of slain U. student urges legislators to pass campus safety proposal
Fox13now.com ‘Remember Lauren’: Father of murdered student asks Utah lawmakers to pass campus safety bill
Senate Minority Caucus Manager Derek Kitchen
This week Senator Kitchen was excited to see the hate crimes bill pass the final Senate vote and pass in a House committee. He has been closely watching the conversion therapy bill, HB399, as it was drastically changed in a House committee earlier this week. Rep. Lisonbee proposed the substitute that would not properly protect LGBTQ youth in Utah, and Rep. Hall—the original sponsor—voted against the bill after the substitute was adopted.
Watch Sen. Kitchen's floor speech on the hate crime bill here.
Other bills he has been watching include HB101, the autonomous vehicle bill, and HB441, the tax reform bill that was abandoned.
BILL REQUESTS: 3
BILLS IN SENATE:
SB146 Sales Tax Exemption Modifications
BILLS PASSING THE LEGISLATURE:
SJR5 Joint Rules Resolution -- Ethics Commission Amendments
IN THE NEWS:
The Salt Lake Tribune 'We have reached a tipping point’: Utah Senate approves hate crimes bill in its first floor vote in years
Senator Gene Davis
Last Saturday, Senator Davis had a Town Hall in Murray with all of the legislators who have districts in the city. About 50 constituents attended and heard about a variety of subjects that ranged from taxes to the development of Murray. SB238 Asset Protection Trust Amendments passed the Senate and is now waiting to be heard in the House. SB253 Construction Code for Historic Preservation will be presented in the Senate Business and Labor Committee on Friday afternoon. Senator Davis had a great week meeting with a University of Utah students who presented their research on cardiac health in the Rotunda.
BILL REQUESTS: 10
BILLS IN SENATE:
BILLS PASSING THE SENATE:
SB49 Homeless Shelter Funding Amendments
IN THE NEWS:
Senator Kathleen Riebe
Senator Riebe, an Honorary Commander of The National Guard, brought her unit's Lt. Col. Michael Kjar to visit the Senate floor on Thursday. The Utah Senate thanked him for his role in supporting our communities and providing opportunities, and for all of his and his family's sacrifices. Having met multiple times throughout the week in the Education Committee, Senator Riebe wants to say, "Thank you to all of the engaged citizens that shared their experiences and expertise at the Senate Education Committee. I appreciate your commitment to our kids and families." Senator Riebe will continue to speak out in favor of public education, lower class sizes, and adequately provided services to our diverse populations.
Photo: Sen. Riebe and Lt. Col. Kjar selfie on the floor.
BILL REQUESTS: 3
BILLS IN SENATE:
SB267 Amendments to Initiatives
BILLS PASSING THE SENATE:
IN THE NEWS:
The Salt Lake Tribune Despite pending Utah Supreme Court ruling, Senate committee approves bill to have partisan elections for the state Board of Education
Deseret News Partisan candidates for Utah State School Board? Bill proposed as clarifying measure, sponsor says
