I’m getting various emails from different sources. so I’m sharing. None of my opinions are offered here.
To learn of all bills:
https://le.utah.gov/bills/bills_By_Session.jsp
1. Jake’s Views & Review – How to Participate in our Legislative Session
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=AtDa2vIS95s&feature=youtu.be
2. House Priorities Chairman Derek Brown
H.B. 86, Social Security Tax Amendments passed out of Committee and will ease the tax burden for Social Security recipients.
H.B. 217, Which will create the Office Of Regulatory Relief will be in Committee on Friday. Once established, this office will exist to examine and reduce the regulatory burden on Utahns.
In Other News
H.B. 60, which allows for anyone over 21 and legally able to own firearms
to carry a concealed firearm in a public area without a permit, easily passed the Utah House. It is expected to pass the Senate as well and will likely become state law.
Utah State Auditor’s office has updated the Transparent Utah website. Transparency and accountability have been hallmarks of Auditor John Dougall’s public service. Check it out: https://transparent.utah.gov.
3. SB 121 – National Popular Vote Interstate Compact (NPVIC) has been assigned to the Senate Government Operations and Political Subdivisions committee. They will meet again on Tues. Feb 16th at 4 pm and could address this bill at that time. We won’t know for sure until the agenda is posted by 4 pm on the preceding day, but it is likely, SO it is important to CONTACT THEM RIGHT AWAY and ask them to vote NO. Help them understand how this compact will take away the voice of Utahns and will negate the electoral college (effectively modifying the Constitution without even going through the amendment process.)
You will find a summary of this issue here: https://jbs.org/alert/oppose-utah-national-popular-vote-bill-sb-121/
Here are some talking points:
Please oppose SB 121 in the 2021 session.
These bills would have Utah join the “National Popular Vote Interstate Compact” (NPVIC), which would allot the Electoral College to whoever wins the national popular vote.
The NPVIC is problematic for multiple reasons — here are the most important ones:
4. SB 121 – National Popular Vote Interstate Compact (NPVIC) has been assigned to the Senate Government Operations and Political Subdivisions committee. They will meet again on Tues. Feb 16th at 4 pm and could address this bill at that time. We won’t know for sure until the agenda is posted by 4 pm on the preceding day, but it is likely, SO it is important to CONTACT THEM RIGHT AWAY and ask them to vote NO. Help them understand how this compact will take away the voice of Utahns and will negate the electoral college (effectively modifying the Constitution without even going through the amendment process.)
You will find a summary of this issue here: https://jbs.org/alert/oppose-utah-national-popular-vote-bill-sb-121/
5. Part of Senator Keith Grover’s email. Utah senate District 15
Conceal Carry Firearm Amendments
Utah currently has an “open carry” law that allows individuals who are legally able to possess a firearm to open carry in public. H.B.60 Conceal Carry Firearms Amendments, would allow anyone over 21, who is legally allowed to possess a firearm, to carry a concealed weapon in public without a concealed carry permit. Additionally, this bill would establish a Suicide Prevention and Education Fund and a portion of funds collected from the concealed carry permit class will go toward suicide prevention efforts and firearm safety. This bill will not discontinue the concealed carry permit class or change specifications on how firearms can be carried in public. H.B. 60 passed the Senate and will be sent to the House for their consideration. Listen to the bill’s presentation on the Senate floor here.
Law Enforcement Qualifications
Many of the brave men and women in our nation’s military are not citizens of the United States. Though they are legal residents, citizenship is not required for them to serve. However, in Utah, those who protect our local communities in law enforcement are required to be U.S. citizens. S.B. 102 Peace Officer Training Qualifications Amendments, changes Utah law to allow lawful permanent residents who have lived in the U.S. for at least five years to serve as police officers. This change will help create police departments that more closely resemble the diverse communities they serve. S.B. 102 passed in the Senate will now be considered in the House.
Listen to the bill’s presentation on the Senate floor here.
In the News: KUTV News | Deseret News
Deceased Voters
Although Utah works hard to have accurate and secure elections, ballots occasionally are mailed to deceased voters. H.B. 12 Deceased Voter Amendments, creates a more uniform process to rectify this issue. When a Utahn passes away, the bill requires that the death certificate be sent from the state registrar to the Lieutenant Governor’s office within five business days of the certificate’s registration. The certificate will then be sent to the County Clerk’s office where the deceased name will be removed from the voter rolls. Before each election cycle, the Lieutenant Governor’s office will also cross-check each name against United States Social Security Administration data. H.B. 12 passed the Senate and House and will be sent to the governor.
To listen to the bill presentation on the Senate floor, click here.
Utah State Flag
Some people believe Utah’s current flag falls short when it comes to representing the state in a simple and purposeful way. S.B. 48 State Flag Task Force, creates a State Flag Taskforce to assess whether a new state flag should be created. Though some may think that such an undertaking is not important, a state flag can be compared to the logo and branding of a state. Most people quickly recognize the bear seen on the California state flag or the star of Arizona. An iconic state flag can be a rallying point and marketing tool for the state of Utah. S.B. 48 passed on the Senate and is headed to the House. To listen to the bill presentation on the Senate floor, click here.
In the News: Daily Herald | ABC4
Driver License Changes
This week, we considered legislation that would make changes to the driver’s license requirements for new drivers. H.B. 18 Driver Education Amendments, would extend the term of a learner permit from one year to 18 months. This change does not prevent youth from getting their license upon turning 16. In addition, this bill would remove the required six observation hours for driver education observation for 15-17-year-olds. This bill passed with unanimous support in the Senate. To listen to the bill presentation on the Senate floor, click here.
Holocaust Education
Many adults learned about the Holocaust during their K-12 years; however, it seems this important, historic lesson is slowly diminishing in our children’s education. S.C.R. 1 Concurrent Resolution on Holocaust Education, highlights the importance of Holocaust and genocide education for students and encourages the State Board of Education and local education agencies to provide Holocaust and genocide content for schools. This bill passed with unanimous support in the Senate and will now be considered by the House. You can watch the bill presentation on the Senate floor here.
Asset Forfeiture
In 2018, the Utah Supreme Court ruled in Savely v. Utah Highway Patrol (UHP) that a state district court has jurisdiction over property held in civil asset forfeiture cases. The ruling stems from an incident in 2016 where a motorist had $500,000 seized by a UHP trooper without being charged with a crime. Though the money was initially seized by UHP, a federal magistrate filed a warrant to seize the money for the Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA). S.B. 98 Asset Forfeiture Amendments, clarifies the process for seizing property. Property seized by local law enforcement is to be handled in a state district court. If the local agency wants to turn property over to a federal agency, the reasons need to be explained first in a state district court. S.B. 98 passed in the Senate and will now be considered in the House. To listen to the bill presentation on the Senate floor, click here.
6. Sections from an Email from Chairman Brown.
This week Speaker Brad Wilson led the House in honoring Fallen Ogden Police Officer Nate Lyday. Officer Lyday lost his life in the line of duty. We can never thank our law enforcement enough for the service they render and we should never forget the sacrifices we ask them and their families.
Here are updates on key bills:
HB161, the Military Retirement Tax Amendment bill passed out of committee. Once this is a law, our military retirees will no longer have to worry about the state taxing their military retirement.
H.B. 86, the Social Security Tax Amendments passed the House this week and is now in Senate hands. This will ease the tax burden for Social Security recipients.
H.B. 217, Which will create the Office Of Regulatory Relief has also passed the House and has made its way over to the Senate. Once established, this office will exist to examine and reduce the regulatory burden on Utahns.
In Other News:
H.B. 60, which allows for anyone over 21 and legally able to own firearms
to carry a concealed firearm in a public area without a permit is making its way swiftly through the legislative process, but not without some contention. Much of this discontent seems to arise from people not realizing that it’s already legal to carry a firearm in public without a permit. This bill simply recognizes that someone doesn’t go from law-abiding to mass murderer just by putting a jacket over their firearm.
Federal Roundup!
Bi-Partisanship is the name of the game
Congressmen Chris Stewart and John Curtis are working diligently across the aisle to move important legislation forward. They are setting the standard for applying conservative solutions to, what the media would tell us, are traditionally liberal issues.
Among other measures, Congressman Chris Stewart co-sponsored bi-partisan legislation called the Safe From The Start Act. According to a press release, This bill would help improve U.S. efforts to combat gender-based violence in humanitarian emergencies.
Of the need for this effort, Congressman Stewart said, “America will always defend and support the most vulnerable—at home and abroad. In times of crisis and conflict, Americans continuously step up and show compassion through leading humanitarian efforts. This bill builds on those values by ensuring children and women across the world are protected from gender-based violence.” You can read more about his recent efforts in Congress here.
Too often, the media portrays Congressman John Curtis as the lone conservative who cares about the environment. Republicans care just as much about the environment as anyone else. After all, we all live here!
Last week, Congressman Curtis participated in a bi-partisan discussion titled Responsible Innovation: Protecting our Planet with Technology where he discussed bringing conservative policies and applying common sense technological approaches to the challenge of protecting our environment.
7. Email from Utah Senate District 15, Senator Keith Grover.
Here are some issues of interest discussed this week with a question at the end:
Canine Caused Injury
There isn’t a clear procedure or law clarifying liability when a dog that is wandering is injured or killed when encountering another dog in an enclosed or fenced area on private property. H.B. 213 Canine Injury Amendments, clarifies liability that the dog owner that attacks is not liable for any injury or death of a wandering dog on enclosed property. This bill passed in the Senate with an amendment that clarified the immunity only applies in situations where the attacking dog is inside an enclosed or fenced area. I voted in support. You can watch the floor presentation here.
Mental Health Day for Students
This week, the Senate heard H.B. 81 Mental Health Days for Students, which adds mental health as a valid excuse for a school absence. Other states that implemented this attendance policy have seen a decrease in youth suicide rates. H.B. 81 passed in the Senate and was sent to the governor for consideration. I voted in support.
Honoring the Life of William E. Christoffersen
William E. Christofferson, a Cache Valley Native and local hero, was honored in the Legislature this week. William Christofferson served in World War II and dedicated his life to helping veterans. He advocated for veterans across Utah and helped create the first veterans nursing home in Salt Lake City. Read the full resolution here.
To all our Veterans who put their lives on the line of defense, we thank you wholeheartedly.
Utah Film Economic Incentives
Did you know Footloose, The Sandlot and The Lone Ranger were filmed right here in Utah? Such films have led to other production opportunities to showcase Utah’s desert beauty and high alpine mountains. The film industry has generated more than 7,600 jobs and $147 million in salaries in our state in 2019. We are considering S.B. 167 Utah Film Economic Incentives, which would provide tax credit certificates for productions, films and series when they film in Utah. This bill would strengthen rural communities by investing in local jobs, stimulating the economy and increasing Utah’s profile as a filming destination. S.B. 167 passed in the Senate on its second reading. I voted in support. To listen to the bill presentation, click here.
Sex Offender Revisions
S.B. 165 Offender Registry Revisions, permits an individual who has served their full sentence on the Sex Offender Registry to apply for removal. This bill aims to prevent instances where individuals are kept on the registry past their original sentencing time due to reporting errors. S.B. 165 passed in the Senate on its second reading. I voted in support. To listen to the bill presentation, click here.
Confinement of Egg-laying Hens
S.B. 147 Confinement of Egg-laying Hens, prohibits farm owners from confining egg-laying hens in enclosures that are not considered cage-free housings and sets January 1, 2025, as the self-imposed date to achieve cage-free hen environments in Utah. If we had not passed this legislation the industry would have been extorted by animal rights organizations and forced this issue to a ballot initiative. I frustratingly voted in support. SB147 passed in the Senate and will now be considered in the House. To listen to the bill presentation, (https://le.utah.gov/av/floorArchive.jsp?markerID=114055).
I would like your input:
This coming Tuesday, February 24, I will be hearing HB 302 in the Senate Health and Human Services Committee of which I am a member.
This bill, if passed as written, would prohibit a student of the male sex from participating in an athletic activity designated for female students.
I support this bill. I believe that the gender on the birth certificate of the individual is the gender that should be recognized.
I would like your opinion.
Would you support this legislation or oppose it?
Please respond if you are so inclined.
Thank you!
Senator Keith Grover
Utah Senate District 15
8. Email from Nelson Abbot
join our meeting via Zoom.
Time: Tuesday nights at 7-7:30pm
Place: 195 South Palisade Drive, Orem, Utah 84097
Zoom link for Tues, Feb 16:
https://us02web.zoom.us/j/85440519746
Each week I have a blog post that includes more in-depth updates on what’s happening at the Capitol. To look at more pictures and stories from the past week, click here:
http://nelsonabbott.com/legislative-report.html
9. I got an email of concerns over Covid vaccines. I can send that to you privately if asked. I know that social media is filtering some content on this subject.
Melva
