A new Utah bill could make it significantly easier for cities to break away from large counties and form their own.

Under current law, creating a new county requires signatures from at least one-quarter of registered voters within the proposed county's boundaries to put the issue on the ballot.

Rep. Jordan Teuscher's HB533 would change that process. In counties with 1 million or more residents, city councils representing municipalities with a combined population of at least 330,000 could trigger an election simply by passing resolutions.

Before creating a new county, Teuscher's bill mandates a study to make sure both the new and remaining county can function properly. The new county cannot split up existing cities.

Utah hasn't created a new county since 1917, when voters approved splitting Uintah County because of the long travel times to the county seat in Vernal.

New bills that caught my attention

  • SJR13 calls on Congress to either call a constitutional convention or propose an amendment to establish term limits for members of Congress.
  • SB307 creates a new legislative commission to study education-related issues and propose legislation.
  • HB537 changes the structure of the Utah Schools for the Deaf and Blind from public corporation to part of the State Board of Education.

Afternoon headlines

Mendenhall nominates Brian Redd to fill vacant role of Salt Lake City police chief. [Fox 13]

Utah, 16 other states tell judge: We never meant to say Section 504 is unconstitutional. [KSL]

Utah plan to divert property taxes away from local schools and into state general fund heads to Cox. [Tribune]

Utah to limit candidate nicknames on ballot after Lucifer "Justin Case" Everylove qualified last year. [KSL]

University presidents would be chosen in secret if SB282 becomes law. [Tribune]

Bill will ban child marriages where there is a 4-year age gap. [Fox 13]

Utah lawmakers move forward with higher education bill despite faculty opposition. [Tribune]

What's on Friday's agenda?

Committees will only meet in the A.M.