Week 4 Updates
Senate Minority Leader Karen Mayne
Senate Minority Leader Karen Mayne presented SB175 Thursday to the Senate Judiciary, Law Enforcement, and Criminal Justice Committee to create a Gang Prevention Awareness Week the third week of September to honor those officers whom she calls “soldiers of the streets,” dedicated to seeking out gang members in an effort to rescue them from gang life. Several gang units from area law enforcement agencies attended the presentation to support the bill.
Senator Mayne will hold a Town Hall on Wednesday, Feb. 27, 7:00pm, Kearns Senior Center, 4851 W. 4700 S.
BILL REQUESTS: 16
BILLS IN SENATE:
SJR10 Joint Resolution Encouraging More Training and Resources for Municipal Code Enforcement Officers
SB155 Animal Shelter Transparency Amendments
SB156 Construction Trades Licensing Amendments
SB167 Public Safety and Firefighter Planned Retirement Program
SB169 Political Action Committee Amendments
SB175 Gang Awareness Week
SB176 Railroad Safety Amendments
BILLS PASSED OUT OF SENATE:
BILLS PASSING THE LEGISLATURE:
IN THE NEWS:
Deseret News Utah panel recommends no money for study to determine prevalence of maternal cannabis use
The Salt Lake Tribune Legislation would require public disclosure of animal shelter information, including numbers of animals accepted and those euthanized
Senate Minority Whip Luz Escamilla
Senator Luz Escamilla recognized West High junior Felix Ortiz with a citation on the Senate floor Thursday. The student was first on the scene of a crash Tuesday on the 600 N. on-ramp to I-15. A car had flipped and Felix pulled a man out and administered CPR. It was a honor to celebrate him in the Senate, with his mother and sister in attendance.
Senator Escamilla participated in the Clean Air Caucus press conference Friday and discussed her inland port environmental study bill; and she has also spent a lot of time this week prioritizing appropriations for the minority caucus.
BILL REQUESTS: 10
BILLS IN SENATE:
BILLS PASSED OUT OF SENATE:
SB87 Procurement of Design Professionals Amendments
BILLS PASSING THE LEGISLATURE:
SB55S01 Charter Trust Land Council Amendments
IN THE NEWS:
The Salt Lake Tribune West High student honored for quick action that saved the life of an injured motorist
The Salt Lake Tribune Senate committee OKs bill that would monitor environmental impacts of the inland port development planned for Salt Lake City
Senate Minority Assistant Whip Jani Iwamoto
Senator Iwamoto met with four talented high school students in her district who were some of this year’s Senate art contest winners! Trisha Chandramouli from Olympus High School, Audrey Glende from East High School, Emma Cooley from Skyline High School, and Martha Moffat from Olympus High School were all recipients of scholarships for their great work!
Today, two bills passed in both chambers. Senator Iwamoto's bill addressing membership on noxious weed control boards passed unanimously in the House. A House bill she sponsored, which creates a special group license plate to support veterans traveling to Washington, DC to visit veterans memorials (Honor Flight), passed unanimously in the Senate. Four more bills passed unanimously through committee.
BILL REQUESTS: 14
BILLS IN SENATE:
BILLS PASSED OUT OF SENATE:
SB62S01 Campaign Finance Revisions
SB81S01 Substitute Native American Remains Amendments
SB88 Crime Victims Restitution Amendments
SB89S01 Conflict Disclosure Amendments
SB101 Navajo Code Talker Recognition
BILLS PASSING THE LEGISLATURE:
IN THE NEWS:
Senate Minority Caucus Manager Derek Kitchen
This week, Senator Kitchen voted yes for SB103 in his Senate Judiciary, Law Enforcement, and Criminal Justice committee in supporting Sen. Thatcher’s hate crime legislation. This was the first time that a hate crime bill had received a committee hearing in years, and more importantly, it passed unanimously in committee. Also this week, Equality Utah unveiled a bill sponsored by Sen. McCay that would prohibit conversion therapy in Utah, which would make Utah the 16th state to ban conversion therapy if it passes. Conversion therapy has been linked to high rates of suicide in LGBTQ youths, and is one step that could help Utah’s high rate of suicide.
In photo, Sen. Kitchen met with some members of the Planned Parenthood Teen Council, which teaches leadership skills and spreads accurate and positive info about reproductive health. Applications are now open for the next school year. If you know anyone interested in joining, they can apply online at ppau.org or email education@ppau.org.
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:
KSL Radio Dave and Dujanovic Show Utah's hate crime laws are ineffective, Sen. Thatcher says. He wants to completely rehaul them.
The Washington Post ‘Are you gay, though?’ Man records alleged assault, prompting police investigation
Senator Gene Davis
Senator Davis had a successful town hall last Saturday with about 50 of his constituents in attendance. He discussed a wide variety of topics ranging from Medicaid, affordable housing, and education. SB142 Animal Welfare Amendments was heard in committee and held back in Senate Rules committee. Additionally, SB148 Child Welfare in Custody Proceedings was held in committee. SB49 Homeless Shelter Funding Amendments passed through the House Revenue and Taxation Committee and is being prepared to be read on the House floor. On Tuesday, Senator Davis, along with the members of the Business, Economic Development, and Labor Appropriations Subcommittee, approved budget priorities. On Friday, Senator Davis spoke to the members of the Utah Nurses Association on Medicaid and the important role nurses play in our healthcare system.
Photo above: Senator Davis with his intern this session, Kathleen Thompson
BILL REQUESTS: 10
BILLS IN SENATE:
BILLS PASSING THE SENATE:
SB49 Homeless Shelter Funding Amendments
IN THE NEWS:
The Salt Lake Tribune Utah senator says state tax reforms should demand contributions from all industries
Senator Kathleen Riebe
Senator Riebe successfully passed her first bill, SB113 Possessory Lien Amendments, allowing people to retrieve items from their car after it's been towed, but not before a little hazing from her colleagues, many of whom voted "no" before switching to "aye." The bill will now go to the Governor's desk.
Senator Riebe is hosting an interactive Teen Town Hall today, Feb. 22, at 6:00 pm at the Cottonwood Heights City Hall, and would love to see you there!
BILL REQUESTS: 3
BILLS PASSING THE SENATE:
Photos:
Left: Senator Riebe announces the names of the students who won the statewide Senate Art Contest.
Below: Senator Riebe speaking with elementary school students in the Rotunda.
