The same day that lawmakers gave final approval to a bill stripping public employees of their collective bargaining rights, lawmakers unveiled a proposal to enshrine "right to work" in the Utah Constitution.

Rep. Jordan Teuscher, who authored the bill to neuter public sector unions, has introduced HJR8. His proposed constitutional amendment would make it unlawful for anyone to be required to join a labor union as a condition of employment.

Currently, 10 states have right to work provisions in their state constitutions. Tennessee was the most recent, when voters approved the addition in 2022.

If the resolution passes with a 2/3 majority in both the Utah House and Senate, it will go to voters on the 2026 ballot.

New bills that caught my attention

  • Rep. Ken Ivory's HB441 exempts Utah franchise owners from a requirement by the parent company that they remain open on Sunday's.
  • HB432 repeals the ban on flavored vapes passed by Utah lawmakers last year. Rep. Matt MacPherson's bill also eliminates the nicotine content limit for electronic cigarettes. The flavored vape ban is currently being challenged in federal court.
  • Rep. Jill Koford wants to amend Utah's Constitution to increase how much of the fair market value the Legislature can exempt from property taxes. HJR7 raises the amount from 45% to 55%.
  • SB235 clarifies that the owner of a plot of land owns any geothermal resources under the surface.
  • No more DoorDash to the Utah National Guard. HB430 requires food delivery companies to desginate any Utah National Guard bases as a "food delivery dead zone."
  • Rep. Colin Jack wants to repeal a requirement that anyone who challenges a decision on an environmental permit must put up a bond before they can get a temporary halt on enforcement.

Afternoon headlines

Utah trans dorm bill basses final hurdle after Republican lawmaker laments "rush" to do "wrong." [Tribune]

Attorney General Derek Brown calls for legislative backing. [Deseret News]

Lawmaker says one change could keep more Utahns safe from their abusers. [KSL]

Utah's human composting bill may not be dead yet. [Utah News Dispatch]

What's on Friday's agenda?

  • House Government Operations Committee

    Currently, Utah voters can choose to have their voter registration information withheld from the public. Rep. Trevor Lee's HB270 would remove those protections, making information including a voters' name, address and party affiliation available unless they are classified as an "at risk voter."