SWITCH: Mobile | ePaper | Subscribe

Homes Rentals Jobs Autos Contests

Utah Legislature

Governor still vetting his nominations for prison relocation committee

Last updated Saturday, May 18, 2013 - 1:19am

SALT LAKE CITY — Gov. Gary Herbert may have to pick up the pace if a proposal to consider potential relocation of the state prison is to meet a legislatively set deadline.

After weeks of debate, state lawmakers approved legislation this year calling for the establishment of a new prison relocation and development authority (PRADA) and for that group to meet by June 15.

The makeup of the board was a sticking point for legislators. The board is to be made up of 11 members, six of whom will be appointed by the governor. To date, the governor has not appointed anyone to the board.

Business, Economy, Gov. Gary Herbert, Prison, Utah Legislature, Utah State Prison Read more Comments

Rep. James A. Dunnigan, R-Taylorsville, marks remarks during the Health Reform Task Force meeting Thursday, May 16, 2013, at the Utah State Capitol, in Salt Lake City. Utah legislators are shifting their focus to getting the state's newly-approved split-model health insurance exchange ready for Oct. 1 open enrollment. The state's health reform task force met Thursday morning to hear from state officials about what needs to be done over the next four-plus months. The federal government approved a plan last week that will allow Utah to continue to run its existing health insurance marketplace for small businesses. (AP Photo/Rick Bowmer)

Utah lawmakers discuss health care reform

Brady McCombs The Associated Press

Last updated Thursday, May 16, 2013 - 3:47pm

SALT LAKE CITY — With federal approval in hand for its unique split-model health insurance exchange, Utah officials began shifting their focus Thursday to what needs to be done so the marketplaces are ready for open enrollment on Oct. 1.

Health Care, Utah, Utah Legislature Read more Comments

Sen. Jim Dabakis, D-Salt Lake City, makes remarks during the Government Operations Interim Committee hearing Wednesday, May 15, 2013, at the Utah State Capitol, in Salt Lake City. Utah lawmakers on Wednesday discussed changing the Utah attorney general’s office from an elected position to an appointed one. Woods Cross Republican Senator Todd Weiler says if it were an appointed post the attorney general would be free from the influence of campaign contributions. Weiler said he’s been considering the idea for some time, but felt now is an ideal time to discuss due to the numerous allegations surrounding Utah Attorney General John Swallow. Legislators are also expected to talk about possible impeachment of Swallow. (AP Photo/Rick Bowmer)

Utah Speaker: Only informal AG impeachment talks so far

Michelle Price The Associated Press

Last updated Thursday, May 16, 2013 - 12:07am

SALT LAKE CITY — Legislators have had informal discussions about the procedures of a possible impeachment of Utah’s embattled Attorney General John Swallow, but no formal discussions were held as lawmakers met at the Capitol this week, House Speaker Becky Lockhart says.

Two-thirds of the members of the Utah House would have to vote for impeachment in order for that process to start. It’s too early to begin polling representatives on that issue, Lockhart said Wednesday afternoon.

Swallow, who is under federal investigation and is the subject of complaints filed with the state elections office and bar association, said he expects his name to be cleared when the investigations are complete.

Investigation, John Swallow, Utah Attorney General, Utah Legislature Read more Comments

FILE - This Jan. 7, 2013 file photo shows Utah Attorney General John Swallow, left, being sworn in by Chief Justice Matthew B. Durrant, right, at the Utah Sate Capitol Rotunda, in Salt Lake City. Legislative leaders troubled by the latest allegations of misconduct leveled against Swallow say they are frustrated by the slow pace of a federal investigation. (AP Photo/Rick Bowmer)

Utah lawmakers consider impeachment of Swallow

Contributed The Associated Press

Last updated Wednesday, May 15, 2013 - 9:44am

SALT LAKE CITY -- Utah lawmakers on Wednesday are expected to discuss the possibility of impeaching Utah's embattled attorney general, among a host of other issues concerning the state's top law enforcement officer.

Utah, Utah Attorney General, Utah Legislature Read more Comments

Lawmakers may address if Utah AG should be appointed

Michelle L. Price The Associated Press

Last updated Tuesday, May 14, 2013 - 1:58pm

SALT LAKE CITY — Utah lawmakers are expected to discuss the possible impeachment of embattled Utah Attorney General John Swallow during interim meetings this week.

Utah, Utah Attorney General, Utah Legislature Read more Comments

FILE - In this Nov. 6, 2012 file photo, Attorney General John Swallow talks with supporters following his victory during the Utah State GOP election night watch party in Salt Lake City. Legislative leaders troubled by the latest allegations of misconduct leveled against Swallow say they are frustrated by the slow pace of a federal investigation. House Speaker Becky Lockhart tells The Salt Lake Tribune that impeachment of the new attorney general is among options legislators will discuss at the Utah Capitol next week. The latest allegations come from a convicted fraudster. Marc Jenson has told The Tribune that in 2009 he paid for meals, golf and massages for then-Attorney General Mark Shurtleff and Swallow at a California resort. The Utah attorney general's office had charged him with felonies months earlier. (AP Photo/Rick Bowmer, File)

Special counsel to investigate Swallow

Contributed The Associated Press

Last updated Saturday, May 11, 2013 - 12:40am

SALT LAKE CITY — A special counsel will investigate whether Attorney General John Swallow broke campaign finance laws by failing to disclose his interest in a consulting business caught up in recent bribery allegations, Utah elections officials announced Friday.

Investigation, John Swallow, Utah, Utah Attorney General, Utah Legislature, Featured Read more Comments

N. Ogden lawmaker vows to reintroduce vetoed gun rights bill in 2014

Contributed The Associated Press

Last updated Saturday, April 27, 2013 - 11:33pm

SALT LAKE CITY -- Utah lawmakers say two gun rights measures will be reintroduced during the 2014 session after failing to become law this year.

Gov. Gary Herbert, Gun laws, Guns, Utah, Utah Legislature Read more Comments

Conservative citizens group scores Oda high, Herbert low

Bryon Saxton Standard-Examiner

Last updated Tuesday, April 16, 2013 - 12:15am

OGDEN — Gov. Gary R. Herbert received a score from a conservative citizens group that was well below his average because of his willingness to allow government to grow and his decision to override gun legislation during the 2013 legislative session.

But while Herbert floundered with the group, Rep. Curt Oda, R-Clearfield, flourished once again, earning the praise of the citizens group.

The 2013 Utah GrassRoots Report, released Monday, lists Oda as the top Top of Utah lawmaker based on his voting record meeting with its platform 75 percent of the time.

Conservatives, Curt Oda, Gov. Gary Herbert, Utah, Utah Legislature Read more Comments

Utah Legislature unlikely to override veto of gun bill

The Associated Press Contributed

Last updated Saturday, April 13, 2013 - 10:55pm

SALT LAKE CITY -- Senate Majority Leader Ralph Okerlund says he thinks the Legislature is unlikely to override Gov. Gary Herbert's veto of a bill that would allow Utah adults to carry a hidden, unloaded gun without a permit.

Gov. Gary Herbert, Utah, Utah Legislature Read more Comments

Got a problem? Legislature’s got a pamphlet, commission for that

E. Kent Winward Standard-Examiner

Last updated Friday, April 12, 2013 - 10:14pm

I perused the long list of bills approved this year by the Legislature and signed by the governor and came up with a couple of themes.

• Everything is solved by a pamphlet or a commission.

HB 115 makes amendments to Utah’s towing laws, so the law reads a little like a Mastercard ad:

Car boot for parking on private property with poor signage: $75. A copy of the grandiosely titled “Utah Consumer Bill of Rights Regarding Towing” telling you that $75 is the maximum you can be charged in a 24-hour period: No charge. The towing company is now required to take plastic: Priceless.

Business, Business Law, Privacy, Utah Legislature Read more Comments

Utah lawmakers pay to hire their own help

Michelle L. Price The Associated Press

Last updated Friday, April 5, 2013 - 9:10am

SALT LAKE CITY -- Utah lawmakers convene for a whirlwind, 45-day legislative session each year to churn through hundreds of pieces of legislation.

Utah, Utah Legislature Read more Comments

Herbert signs bill creating ethics panel related to AG complaints

Contributed The Associated Press

Last updated Thursday, April 4, 2013 - 12:18pm

SALT LAKE CITY -- Utah Gov. Gary Herbert has approved the creation of an independent ethics commission to review complaints against elected officials in the state's executive branch.

Ethics, Utah, Utah Attorney General, Utah Legislature Read more Comments

New Utah law limits local authority of federal law officers

Contributed The Associated Press

Last updated Thursday, April 4, 2013 - 10:51am

SALT LAKE CITY -- Utah Gov. Gary Herbert has signed legislation barring certain federal officers from enforcing local laws such as traffic violations.

BLM, Forest Service, Gov. Gary Herbert, Utah, Utah Legislature Read more Comments

New Utah law targets adoption fraud

Contributed The Associated Press

Last updated Tuesday, April 2, 2013 - 4:25pm

SALT LAKE CITY -- Utah Gov. Gary Herbert has approved legislation aimed at curbing adoption fraud.

Utah, Utah Legislature Read more Comments

Governor OKs funding for Utah marriage commission

Contributed The Associated Press

Last updated Tuesday, April 2, 2013 - 11:44am

SALT LAKE CITY -- Utah Gov. Gary Herbert has signed legislation to use taxpayer money to save a commission that promotes lasting marriages, after the state agency that gave the panel $700,000 in federal dollars annually announced earlier this year that it would pull the funding.

Gov. Gary Herbert, Marriage, Utah, Utah Legislature Read more Comments