This time last year, I wrote about Representative Rebecca Chavez-Houck’s (D – Salt Lake – District 24) HB 144, a bill that allowed medical language interpreters into hospitals so that those who speak little to no English can understand the medical procedures they (or those they love) will have. Thankfully, this bill passed, and Representative [...]
Archive for the ‘2010 Legislature’ Category
Bills to Watch: HJR 12 – Climate Change Joint Resolution, K. Gibson
So I was in a room with my friend, the phrenologist, and was complaining that my head hurt; he promptly replied that nothing was wrong and that I was simply making up the ailment to get out of work. My other friend in the room, a doctor, thought I was suffering from a stroke. Not [...]
Bills to Watch: SB 32 – Rainwater Harvesting, S. Jenkins
This time last year, I wrote about Senator Scott Jenkins’ (R – Plain City – District 20) SB 32 – Rainwater Harvesting. Sadly, the bill did not pass, mostly because it was low on totem-pole of bills the House and Senate had to vote on, and so died in the House before it could be [...]
Bills to Watch: HB 230 – Human Trafficking Amendments, J. Fisher
Every year, there are a few no brainer bills that sometimes have the hardest time passing. One example of this is Jen Seelig’s perennial strangulation bills. I hope, hope that Julie Fisher’s (R – Fruit Heights – District 17) HB 230 – Human Trafficking Amendments. This bill is one of those bills that is straight [...]
Bills to Watch: SB 38 – Restrictions on High Occupancy Vehicle Lane, K. Morgan
I have been amazed by the flurry of arguments surrounding Karen Morgan’s (D – Salt Lake – District 8) SB 38 – Restrictions on High Occupancy Vehicle Lane. The bill adds seven lines of text to the HOV (carpool) lane laws and, if it were to pass, would open up the carpool lane to any [...]
Bills to Watch: SB 11 – Utah State-Made Firearms Protection, M. Dayton
If there is one thing I can’t stand it is message bills that are low on policy and high on grandstanding. This is where I direct you to Senator Margaret Dayton’s (R – Orem – District 15) SB 11 – Utah State-Made Firearms Protection. This bill does some rather interesting things. On the bland side, [...]
Bills to Watch: HB 223 – Alcoholic Beverage Control Act and Restaurant Licenses, G. Froerer
It is rare for me to utter the phrase “whoa, this is huge” when reading legislation for the bills to watch series. Usually I expect certain things from certain individuals or parties, and then just rant or praise the bill. But HB 223 – Alcoholic Beverage Control Act and Restaurant Licenses as proposed by Representative [...]
Bills to Watch: HB 222 – Land Use Meeting Notice, T. Beck
Anyone who knows me, knows I am a fan of public involvement in our governmental process. I am also a firm believer that all politics is local. That is one of the reasons I am a fan of Trish Beck’s (D-Sandy-District 48) HB 222 – Land use meeting notice. The bill itself basically cleans up [...]
Bills to Watch: HB 217 – Income Tax Revisions, C. Wimmer
I swear, I did not set out to pick apart Carl Wimmer (R-Herriman-District 52) during this legislative session, it just seems to me that he is one of the worst legislators when it comes to drafting sound policy. I direct your attention to HB 217 – Income Tax Revisions. I want you all to think [...]
Bills to Watch: HB 210 – Eminent Domain Modifications, C. Frank
Eminent domain has always been one of those sticky issues that puts to the forefront the battle between property ownership rights and the needs of the public for the greater good. You see, eminent domain is basically the ability for the government to buy your stuff (most often land) so they can use it to [...]