Last year, Utah lawmakers established a process allowing the state Legislature to declare federal actions unconstitutional. Under this law, state agencies and officials must disregard federal mandates deemed unconstitutional until a court confirms their constitutional validity.

Now, Sen. Scott Sandall is proposing to expand this authority. His new bill would add public school and higher education employees to the list of state personnel required to disregard contested federal mandates.

SB265 also modifies the process itself. While current law allows the Legislature to nullify federal regulations through a simple resolution that bypasses the governor's desk, the new bill would require formal legislation—including the governor's signature—to declare federal actions unconstitutional.

New bills that caught my attention

  • HB486 – Removes the requirement for setting the length of the public school year at nine months, leaving that decision up to local school governing bodies.
  • HB489 – Exempts eyeglasses and contact lenses from sales taxes.
  • HB492 – Requires community water systems to implement a security plan and report any security breaches to state officials within two hours.
  • HJR11 – A resolution that says the Legislature will adopt policies that "promote and strengthen" two parent families.

Afternoon headlines

Labor leaders are exploring a referendum to repeal Legislature's anti-union bill. [Tribune]

Utah House votes to streamline deportations of immigrants convicted of crimes. [Deseret News]

Lawmaker wants to axe instructions to "favor public access" in records cases. [Tribune]

Utah lawmakers say no to "preemption," halt 2 housing bills aimed at allowing smaller homes. [Utah News Dispatch]

Salt Lake City Police Chief Mike Brown to retire, as city looks for "next chapter" in leadership. [KSL]

What's on Thursday's agenda?

Morning committee hearings beginning at 8 am

  • Rep. Ken Ivory's bill challenging the U.S. Constitution's Supremacy Clause is set for debate in the House Public Utilities and Energy Committee on Wednesday morning.
  • HB393, which bans foreign nationals from making donations to candidates and ballot proposition efforts, is on the agenda in the House Government Operations Committee.
  • SB173, which would create a universal free lunch program in public schools, is set for the Senate Education Committee.
  • The Senate Education Committee is also set to hear Sen. Mike McKell's SB223, which codifies a definition of "bullying."
  • HB441, which prohibits franchise owners from having to open their business on a Sunday, will be heard in the House Business, Labor and Commerce Committee.
  • The bill to remove fluoridation from residential water systems is scheduled for the Senate Natural Resources, Agriculture and Environment Committee.
  • Rep. Trevor Lee's bill to ban pride flags in classrooms is up in the House Education Committee on Thursday afternoon.