Legislative Wrapup and Survey Results
We would like to express a thank you to the 1563 individuals who shared their opinions with us through the 2010 Legislative Survey. Full survey results can be viewed by clicking here.
You may also read the House Democrats legislative wrapup by clicking here.
Although most of our respondents came from districts represented by Democrats, we received responses from 69 of the 75 house districts in Utah. These results are invaluable to us and help us to serve all of Utah better.
Here's how the districts were represented: Districts highlighted in yellow are represented by a Democrat.
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Free Fishing Licenses for Disabled Utah Veterans
A bill which will allow disabled veterans to receive a free fishing license passed the Utah legislature today. HB 450, sponsored by Representative Tim Cosgrove, D–Murray, allows the Division of Wildlife Resources to make rules under which a disabled veteran may receive a free or reduced price fishing license.
"Across the nation veterans are returning home from their tours of duty in Afghanistan and Iraq. Some incurred a disability while they were serving their country and were honorably discharged," Representative Cosgrove told Representatives last week. "For our veterans, there are sacrifices that come with serving in the military, and returning to normal jobs requires some transition time. Recreation therapy helps them with this transition," he said.
The bill now moves to the Governor for signature.
Read MoreLawmakers push for funding of State Hospital remodel
From KSL.com
SALT LAKE CITY — There's growing support among state lawmakers to spend $2 million on the Utah State Hospital.
The hospital has a wing for mentally ill children, and it's not in the best shape.
"I, frankly, was appalled," one lawmaker said. "If you were down there to see it, you would be ashamed."
One after another, lawmakers made a pitch Wednesday to get $2 million to design a new pediatric wing, but Rep. Jen Seeling, D-Salt Lake City, put it more bluntly.
"It is a pig hole," Seeling said.
She called it a value statement about how the state treats vulnerable and sick children.
"[We're] warehousing them in a deplorable pit of disgust," Seeling said.
The amendment passed and was sent to the Senate.
E-mail: athomas@ksl.com
Read MoreFirst Substitute H.B. 72 Passes House
H.B. 72 S1 Passes House
Representative Wiley's Utah School Seismic Hazard Inventory passed the House last Friday with 50 yes votes and 18 no votes after a motion to reconsider. The bill had failed the previous vote last Wednesday.
The bill would enact the School Seismic Safety Act which requires a school district or charter school to conduct a seismic evaluation of each facility used by the school district or charter school using specified standards. The bill creates and specifies the duties of the Public School Seismic Safety Committee and directs the State Board of Education to adopt rules to provide certain immunity from suit relating to a seismic safety evaluation. The bill would repeal the School Seismic Safety Act in ten years, on July 1, 2020.
The bill will now move on to the Senate.
Read MoreH.B. 62 Passes House
H.B. 62 Passes House
Representative Fisher’s Penalties for Violent Crime in Presence of a Child passed the House this morning with 55 yes votes and 14 no votes. The bill provides a class B misdemeanor penalty for a person who, while in the presence of a child younger than 14, commits or attempts to commit criminal homicide against a third party, intentionally causes or attempts to cause serious bodily injury to a third party, or uses a dangerous weapon or other means or force likely to produce death or serious bodily injury against a third party.
The bill will now move on to the Senate.
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