By party I mean a list of some of the highlights, and don’t forget to tune in/login tonight at 4:10pm for a live legislative recap from Reps. Draxler and Hunsaker.
During the final hours, The Senate Site twitter feed was the feed to be reading, with real time updates on bill passage and failure. It made things strangely exciting. (Hopefully they’ll have more details for us soon on Sen. Greiner’s record setting 45 second bill passage scramble.)
Salt Lake Tribune reports that the Bramble “Turf War” against the PTA was (thankfully) put out of it’s misery.
Legislators “aroused” by news of newspaper failure.
Senate keeps Utah draft beer watered down.
Despite the AG’s best efforts, GRAMA remains (mostly) intact.
Baby Steps to Ethics Reform in 2009 Session.
Blue in Red Zion has more on the hits and misses of ‘09. I’m providing the list of the bills that didn’t survive, as I think failed bills sometimes tell you more about the who/what/where/why and Huh? of a legislative session, if not the tone of the legislature itself:
H.B. 13 – Crime of Strangulation or Smothering
H.B. 82 – Teacher Mortgage Loan Program
H.B. 84 – Campaign Financing and Gift Regulation
H.B. 93 – Establishment of State Ethics Commission
H.B. 95 – Restrictions on Use of Wireless Communication Devices in Vehicles
H.B. 103 – Revolving Door Limitations for Public Officials to Become Lobbyists
H.B. 109 – Modifications to Campaign Finance Provisions
H.B. 115 – County Conservation and Preservation Fund
H.B. 159 – Ethics Provisions
H.B. 187 – Recreational use of Public Waters on Private Property
H.B. 191 – Air Quality Board Amendments
H.B. 196 – Provisional Ballot Amendments for Unregistered Voters
H.B. 204 – Concealed Firearms Instructors Amendments
H.B. 208 – Modification of Exemption from Nonresident Tuition
H.B. 219 – Tobacco Tax Increase
H.B. 225 – Driver License Amendments
H.B. 248 – Regulating the Use of a Wireless Communication Device While Operating a Motor Vehicle
H.B. 260 – School Employee Termination Amendments
H.B. 267 – Antidiscrimination Amendments
H.B. 268 – Legislator Reporting Gifts and Other Items
H.B. 288 – Adoption Amendments
H.B. 325 – Opting Out of the REAL ID Act
H.B. 406 – Compact Agreement Among the States to Elect the President by National Popular Vote
H.J.R. 2 – Joint Resolution to Amend the Marriage Provision of the Utah Constitution
H.J.R. 17 – joint Resolution urging Congressional and Presidential Opposition to Federal Bailout and Promotion of Fiscal Responsibility
S.B. 32 – Wrongful Death Amendments
S.B. 42 – Nuclear Power Distribution and Generation
S.B. 69 – Proof of Citizenship Required to Vote
S.B. 106 – Alcoholic Beverage Control Act Restrictions
S.B. 113 – Delayed Effective Date for Illegal Immigration Legislation
S.B. 114 – Tobacco Tax Amendments
S.B. 119 – Hospital Emergency Room Task force
S.B. 128 – Rainwater Harvesting
S.B. 132 – Individual Income Tax Contribution for Methamphetamine Housing Reconstruction and Rehabilitation Fund
S.B. 144 – Pete Suazo Memorial Highway
S.B. 164 – In Person Voter Registration
S.B. 174 – Redistricting Commission
In a session highlighted most by economic recessions, Zion curtains, and comparing gay activists to radical muslims, there were some more positive firsts. Knudson’s online registration bill deserves a thumbs up. We saw our first blogger pressers from Ric Cantrell and staff at The Senate Site, with promises of more next year (Despite the title, the pressers provide access to not just bloggers, but anyone with the interest — obligation?! — and a high speed internet connection). I was able to follow along pretty well using little more than Twitter subscriptions and following a few key “in the know” bloggers. Great debt is also owed to the Tribune’s Robert Gerhke for listening so we don’t have to. Brave man.
If you have your own favorites from the session, let us know in the comments.
Recent Comments