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Take 2 host Heidi Hatch welcomes Maura Carabello and Greg Hughes on the same day Utah’s legislative session ends. With a slew of things to talk about, including all that happens on the session’s last day, the trio tackle some of the highlights of what Utah’s lawmakers have been up to.
An English-only bill died on Utah’s political hill while another piece of legislation wants to get rid of mask mandates in the state. This happens just as Utah and other counties move to the “moderate” phase of COVID-19 precaution.
In a sobering reality of the virus, Rep. Jon Hawkins of Pleasant Grove joined the Utah House of Representatives from his hospital bed. Hawkins has been hospitalized with coronavirus since January and said he will have to learn to walk and swallow again.
“The things we all take for granted,” he said.
A new position will be created after the Legislature approved to help tackle those who are homeless. Is Utah having a “homeless czar” the right move? In addition, lawmakers put $50 million into housing
One bill with no controversy, a Senate law enforcement modification bill, passed the House unanimously Thursday that will put some oversight over BYU police.
There is also a big transportation bill that passes that includes $1 billion in one-time spending and borrows an additional $264 million.
Other topics include:
SB228 Social Media Controls: A bill passed Thursday would regulate how social media companies’ moderate content on their platforms. SL TRIB SB228 requires social media platforms to clearly state their content moderation policy, and inform Utah users within 24 hours when they run afoul of it. There’s also a requirement that those companies provide an appeal process for Utah account holders.
Bail Reform Passes: Greg’s work is complete? Or just beginning
Party Switching Bill: A bill limiting certain Utahns from switching parties before a primary election has passed the Senate and is on its way to Gov. Spencer Cox’s desk. House Bill 197, sponsored by Rep. Jordan Teuscher (R-South Jordan), passed the Senate 22 to 3. One Democrat joined Republicans in voting for it.
The bill specifies that for those who are already registered with a political party after March 31, any party affiliation change would not take effect until after that year’s primary election. Unaffiliated voters could register with a party at any time and still vote in the primary.
Two new Utah state parks: Raptor State Park and Lost Creek State Park by Echo Reservoir are here.
There is also a new law to studying flying car traffic.