It appears GOP lawmakers blinked in the standoff with labor unions.
Friday morning, the Utah Senate postponed a final vote on HB267 after proposing significant changes to the bill.
Instead of removing collective bargaining rights for public employees, the proposed substitute legislation requires those unions to hold a vote every five years to recertify whether members want them to continue representing them in collective bargaining efforts.
Afternoon headlines
"Fight is not over": Utah lawmakers postpone action on anti-public union bill after revised draft drops. [Tribune]
Utah Senate postpones vote on new version of labor union bill until after the weekend. [KSL]
Lawmaker says Utah's domestic violence programs need help to meet surge in demand. [KSL]
Resolution will allow Utah to co-manage national parks. [Fox 13]
Audit: Two southern Utah counties violated state election laws. [Tribune]
What's on Monday's agenda?
Several Monday committee agendas had not yet been posted as of Friday afternoon.
The bill to block county clerks from revealing ballot information for political purposes is up for debate in the Senate Government Operations and Political Subdivisions Committee on Monday afternoon. The legislation was prompted by Utah County Clerk Aaron Davidson accessed information about how some elected officials returned their ballots during the 2024 election.
New bills that caught my attention
- HCR7 - Rep. Walt Brooks, R-St. George, wants to recognize April 19 as "Patriots' Day," to commemorate the start of the American Revolution.
- SB205 - Sen. Jen Plumb proposes allowing government buildings to include multi-user unisex restrooms.
- SB204 - Sen. Brady Brammer is proposing new rules about appealing court decisions that block state laws for being unconstitutional. The government can ask a court to determine if there is enough evidence to prove the law is unconstitutional. If the state appeals the decision, the law remains in effect until the appeal is decided.
- HB381 - Rep. Doug Welton wants to add a civics education requirement for high school graduates.
- HB387 - Rep. Andrew Stoddard wants to make it illegal to possess, manufacture, sell or distribute a machinegun firearm attachment.