[{"_1":2,"_123":-5,"_124":-5},"loaderData",{"_3":4,"_26":27},"root",{"_5":6,"_17":10,"_18":19,"_20":21,"_22":10,"_23":-5,"_24":-5,"_25":10},"user",{"_7":8,"_9":10,"_11":10,"_12":-5,"_13":-5,"_14":15,"_16":-5},"roles",[],"isAuthenticated",false,"isPremium","planName","subscriptionStatus","featureFlags",{},"insightsBudget","isDevelopmentHost","userPreferences",{},"recaptchaSiteKey","6LcvOJcUAAAAAHsB-gPGfGktcRlKpH7OTIU_dMTD","isImpersonating","impersonation","affiliateStatus","isFreedomPortal","routes/v2/article/layout",{"_28":29,"_30":31},"notFound",true,"relatedArticles",[32,76,87,99,111],{"_33":34,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":40,"_41":42,"_43":44,"_45":46,"_47":48,"_49":50,"_51":52,"_53":54,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":60,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":66,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":72,"_73":74,"_75":74},"mediaId",6364221,"mediaKeyId","2165133-a6a4d1feb2660a441cbcfa4346808507","parentId",2165133,"title","Senate committee approves bill to end public-sector collective bargaining after contentious hearing","audioSeconds",5138,"startMs",38000,"endMs",5176000,"viewUrl","/Search/View?dp=1&key=2165133-a6a4d1feb2660a441cbcfa4346808507&start=38&end=5176","thumbnailUrl","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/2165133-a6a4d1feb2660a441cbcfa4346808507/thumbnail_38000.jpg","articleUrl","/articles/6364221/Utah/Senate-committee-approves-bill-to-end-public-sector-collective-bargaining-after-contentious-hearing","mediaUrl","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6364221-013e351a55d375246cd253ab9fa007c5/orig.mp4?Expires=1770967033&Signature=Jv0~lB12XV8orrMvdwaqP~yjtidQ7IRDcJCNhqJle6xhzdY8krVaAzi8ukzl8oVWbLWnO4~s9VSH5GLwwcuSS3kBSC6DS0WebXTrqeJFBO47ASlLjQByoSVHy05oIp4VsN~zgAjMpOs9nq02DjjDaqLaCaCojheRwBf9doKEr9dRIpXdUDkrAhnN5Pje8KhGjdo2qvB7wLxo9HWicSrnRi5mPeboauCluarr6VSRX1PvafAbJBL7RIQiwQQnZW09yUWZjm2bmFvC2Sg3tmksA1HKdGn6gmaI67HRUphtAKx1mUYlN3TK6YqkFakTxednQ~ylsikWcQvxIUSxujsMqQ__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","author","Utah State Legislature","date","2025-01-29T00:00:00Z","article","Senator Dan McKay, chair of the Revenue and Taxation Standing Committee, called the committee to order and moved House Bill 267, the \"Public Sector Labor Union Amendments,\" up the agenda for discussion. Representative Sam Tuscher, sponsor of the bill, told the committee the measure would \"eliminate public sector collective bargaining,\" offer optional professional liability insurance for educators, bar non‑public union staff from new Utah Retirement System participation and allow unions access to public property on the same terms as other groups.

Representative Sam Tuscher said the bill \"really does 4 things,\" arguing that collective bargaining can leave non‑members without a voice and create conflicts when unions engage in political activity. He told the committee the Division of Risk had identified market policies costing roughly $110–$150 per year, compared with average union dues he said were around $80 per month ($960 per year).

The committee heard roughly 30 minutes of public comment and dozens of speakers. Labor and education representatives warned the bill would remove an effective channel for workplace problem solving and safety. Attorney Lauren Skolnick, who represents several public employee unions, said the bill \"goes well beyond collective bargaining\" and would bar public employers from recognizing a union as a bargaining agent or using meet‑and‑confer processes. Nurses, firefighters, teachers and other public employees testified they rely on negotiated contracts for safety standards, staffing and grievance representation; firefighters and police leaders described staffing and equipment gains tied to contracts.

Business and taxpayer groups testified in favor of the bill, arguing it would increase transparency and protect taxpayers. Jason Chipman of Libertas Institute and Billy Hesterman of the Utah Taxpayers Association urged the committee to advance the measure.

Committee members asked detailed questions about membership levels, the likely effect on union membership, and what specific activities the bill would permit unions to continue. Representative Tuscher replied the measure would not criminalize membership or advocacy, but would bar employers from entering new collective bargaining agreements or renewing existing agreements after the effective date; he said associations could still \"advocate on behalf of their members\" and represent employees in grievances.

Senator Brammer moved to recommend favorably the first substitute of HB 267. The committee recorded a roll‑call vote in which the motion passed by a 4–3 margin (yes: Senator Brammer; Senator Colomore; Senator Wilson; Chair McKay — no: Senator Escamilla; Senator Fillmore; Senator Harper). Chair McKay asked the sponsor to continue meeting with stakeholders even as the bill moves forward.

Why it matters: If enacted in its current form, HB 267 would bar public employers from entering new collective‑bargaining agreements, reshape how public employee representation operates in Utah, and change how some benefits and access to public property are handled. Supporters said the change would broaden participation and protect taxpayers; opponents said it would remove an efficient, protective mechanism for employees and weaken workplace safety and grievance remedies.

Votes at a glance:
Motion: Recommend favorably first substitute HB 267
Mover: Senator Brammer
Vote: Approved, 4 yes — 3 no
Outcome: Favorable recommendation to the full Senate","mediaType","Video","parentTitle","Senate Revenue and Taxation Committee - January 29, 2025","oneSentenceSummary","Senator Dan McKay, chair of the Revenue and Taxation Standing Committee, called the committee to order and moved House Bill 267, the \"Public Sector Labor Union Amendments,\" up the agenda for discussion.","taxTitle","2025 Utah Legislature, Utah Legislature, Utah Legislative Branch, Utah","taxId",78171,"location","Utah","headline","","shortSummary",{"_33":77,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":78,"_41":79,"_43":80,"_45":80,"_47":81,"_49":82,"_51":83,"_53":84,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":85,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":86,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":72,"_73":74,"_75":74},6364197,"Committee clears series of technical revenue and motor‑vehicle changes",0,10641000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=2165133-a6a4d1feb2660a441cbcfa4346808507&start=10641&end=10641","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/2165133-a6a4d1feb2660a441cbcfa4346808507/thumbnail_10641000.jpg","/articles/6364197/Utah/Committee-clears-series-of-technical-revenue-and-motorvehicle-changes","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6364197-c87719a015ea7cf0c9741a1c225a2a9c/orig.mp4?Expires=1770967033&Signature=P56ylGOYGpkhVA-4Qc2IU8QKcWJoFqVx867xz7SbSZ8Vh-46Ta0tbY0K0vuUYMppwiQ22StcpF6WCwLs~JAAQ~Uhq4T8iEYd6ZfYl-HsSZbPLGjaBOLvtJCMHuFi8PgcJxrNxhWS--QEJ4903S28Dsq2k-F-WQdapcEOEI1QuIFiSKJeEm66bhwDAtrEoss-xRih7Kdp5SuyIG9TMzOTzjuAgKU3tAR6MBasfPVM-7qMjzvhuyLnATM4SIJeprn3JZwGaTsOTfEvW3YF~K~9oXRejhHgphAc6y~kE3oIQ75Xv3U3vEqdJha1BQgu7WPjOMc2sgecN3SITNwt9cs5Cg__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","At the end of the hearing the committee considered several technical bills that had been vetted in interim committees.

- Senate Bill 27 (first substitute) clarified internal Motor Vehicle Division and related code provisions; the committee adopted the substitute and recommended the bill favorably, recorded unanimous approval (5–0).

- Senate Bill 47 updated sales and use tax remittance rules, including small seller exemption thresholds; the committee recommended the bill favorably (5–0). The fiscal note remained under review at the time of the committee vote.

- Senate Bill 37 proposed a framework to capture basic levy property tax receipts at the state level and redistribute them to equalize funding for the minimum school program. The committee recommended the bill favorably (4–0).

Why it matters: These are procedural and technical changes that affect tax remittance, motor‑vehicle administration and school funding mechanisms and are routed to the full Senate for consideration following unanimous committee recommendations.

Votes at a glance:
- SB 27 (1st substitute): Recommended favorably, unanimous 5–0
- SB 47: Recommended favorably, unanimous 5–0
- SB 37: Recommended favorably, unanimous 4–0","The Revenue and Taxation Committee advanced several technical and administrative bills (SB 27, SB 47, SB 37) that clean up tax remittances, motor vehicle code and school funding distribution; all received unanimous committee recommendations.",{"_33":88,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":89,"_41":90,"_43":91,"_45":92,"_47":93,"_49":94,"_51":95,"_53":96,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":97,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":98,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":72,"_73":74,"_75":74},6364207,"Committee advances constitutional resolution to require 60% to approve tax‑imposing ballot initiatives",3753,5676000,9429000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=2165133-a6a4d1feb2660a441cbcfa4346808507&start=5676&end=9429","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/2165133-a6a4d1feb2660a441cbcfa4346808507/thumbnail_5676000.jpg","/articles/6364207/Utah/Committee-advances-constitutional-resolution-to-require-60-to-approve-taximposing-ballot-initiatives","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6364207-a2a8e269aa7da42f08461ba16ed255ae/orig.mp4?Expires=1770967033&Signature=dugGf851rIwnTIDvxoMgG8GTjP-FJIa3eVscvRFCXtqcyKcfZ8iGQFTdmBZdAr6CJS-hV4gVu80WX3FuUF8rvJ8GMZLUlmqKWjKkI4VX0XnXjvn67B666z35iwV~dzq3ZmCYESE1M88nBgJoMjGRK7AeaiMYXhbKYqoMLC6vRgg2T7CTP1rFIOLUeKXLgvqzhNSitaZaLMgvnxjjiEeEampa2mzwhr7Zl~Dtc9X4fYvKjDd5iD~wwq6wHLYlYvN5NPAMiOjNHfJ6pTIK1NgbM5YEmiHl0Im0bvrIBzcesTcqhAu7GsMe6q1ZlpofNQ6F49cXdRQqr4aKxdxGKe3DfA__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","Senator Fillmore sponsored Senate Joint Resolution 2, a proposal to ask voters whether the state constitution should require a 60% approval threshold for ballot initiatives that create or increase taxes or impose fiscal obligations on the state.

Sponsor remarks framed the measure as a question of fairness and accountability: raising taxes, he said, can be decided only by a broader consensus because citizens cannot remove or directly vote out neighbors who may initiate a tax on others. Billy Hesterman of the Utah Taxpayers Association testified in favor, noting that many recent local tax questions have passed with more than 60%. Mary Anne Christensen of Utah Legislative Watch also supported the measure and cited Medicaid expansion as an example where the ballot outcome had large fiscal implications.

Opponents — including Mallory Wheat of Mormon Women for Ethical Government, advocacy groups and multiple members of the public — urged the committee not to make citizen initiatives harder to pass. They argued the ballot initiative process is already rigorous in Utah, that raising the threshold would weaken direct democracy and that the initiative is a fundamental tool for the electorate.

Committee debate reflected those divisions. Senator Escamilla said she supported ballot access and described concerns about imposing a higher threshold for initiatives while the legislature retains ordinary majority authority; she said she would vote no. Senator Brammer spoke in favor of letting voters decide whether to adopt the threshold via constitutional amendment.

The committee voted 4–1 to recommend SJR 2 favorably to the Senate. Committee members who opposed cited parity concerns (that the legislature would remain bound to a simple majority while initiatives would be more difficult) and said voters should be able to use initiatives without a higher bar. The sponsor said the measure was intended to give Utah voters a choice about the difficulty of raising taxes by initiative.

Why it matters: If the resolution is enacted by the legislature and the voters approve the constitutional change, future citizen initiatives that would impose or increase taxes would require a 60% approval vote rather than a simple majority. Supporters said the line provides broader consensus for fiscal measures; opponents said it would unduly strengthen incumbents and reduce citizen power.

Vote at a glance:
Motion: Recommend favorably SJR 2 — Passed 4–1 in committee","Senate Joint Resolution 2 (SJR 2) would raise the voter approval threshold for citizen initiatives that impose new taxes or expand taxes to 60%. The committee voted 4–1 to recommend the measure to the full Senate after extensive public comment for and against the change.",{"_33":100,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":101,"_41":102,"_43":103,"_45":104,"_47":105,"_49":106,"_51":107,"_53":108,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":109,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":110,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":72,"_73":74,"_75":74},6364211,"Senator Plumb presses plan for state grant program to expand swim lessons; committee defers for further work",1305,5564000,6869000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=2165133-a6a4d1feb2660a441cbcfa4346808507&start=5564&end=6869","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/2165133-a6a4d1feb2660a441cbcfa4346808507/thumbnail_5564000.jpg","/articles/6364211/Utah/Senator-Plumb-presses-plan-for-state-grant-program-to-expand-swim-lessons-committee-defers-for-further-work","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6364211-374a4a6496f39a14f4be9e9570bd7bfa/orig.mp4?Expires=1770967033&Signature=kSMOdV7rQKFWqZht-w01Vlec7umLq490OMCSVtliKn~DM9vzGLucx7jJLftVdRR7rX5chs4CTmWtohhfVSyziY6WnfP5prpa4NgeCaXeQ~Y0IsBTHqn9M-XpmevxqZFkwj5X-xX3cTrNQ0LOFfo1jf6Yk9xLFLb67k~LrvmfPMhhYsZ7NX5hZXEL5fflPJv89FM3lLm0JyS3V7tAAUQLe9M69T9vbbUKIaqkrvbGsNHgNoTA25NbZErtl4r6gVaukiCTBvyaOfmQ0vWk9sep0fAEjEPzBnb8m2vlWmRJCaHknByPyelA5Lo7~2SAx2xhtnMfLpmiEP82~XgIdfBnyw__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","Senator Plumb presented Senate Bill 108, titled \"Water Safety Amendments,\" calling it a drowning‑prevention measure to fund community swimming lessons and related water‑safety programs. She said the proposal was inspired by Florida's program and would create a restricted account and a water‑safety grant program administered by the Utah Department of Health and Human Services. The sponsor suggested an initial award pool in the low hundreds of thousands of dollars (she referenced Florida's $500,000 starting figure as a point of comparison and said Utah's number could be smaller).

Lex Hernandez (Project 0 Drowning), who was introduced as a swimmer and community advocate, summarized state data that informed the proposal: he said the state recorded 31 drowning deaths in the current period and cited a departmental breakdown showing drownings occur in open water (34%), swimming pools (28%), bathtubs (21%) and other locations (17%). Hernandez pointed to economic and health costs — CDC figures from 2020 that estimate U.S. drowning injuries and deaths impose large economic burdens — and said preventing a single childhood drowning can represent a high value‑of‑statistical‑life return on a small prevention investment.

Committee members praised the public‑health intent and asked about alternatives and existing grant programs (for example, USA Swimming grants and local nonprofit programs). Senator Brammer said he preferred leveraging private and nonprofit grants rather than creating a new state program; Senator Plumb said she had explored existing avenues and had not found a program that funded locally delivered swim lessons statewide or targeted higher‑risk rural areas.

Senator Harper moved to table/advance to the next agenda item so the sponsor could refine the bill and continue outreach; the motion to move on (effectively deferring formal action on SB 108) carried 6–1. The sponsor committed to further conversations with local officials, nonprofit providers and health agency staff.

Why it matters: Committee testimony emphasized preventable child drowning and highlighted geographic disparities in drownings — southern Utah county residents were identified as higher‑risk in state data — and framed a small grant program as a possible high‑return public‑health investment.

Outcome: Committee deferred action and asked the sponsor to continue stakeholder outreach and revise language before the bill returns to committee.","Senate Bill 108 would create a restricted account and grant program for drowning prevention and community swim‑lesson funding. Sponsor recommended a modest initial appropriation; committee members asked for more local partnership detail and deferred action to allow drafting and outreach.",{"_33":112,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":113,"_41":114,"_43":115,"_45":116,"_47":117,"_49":118,"_51":119,"_53":120,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":121,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":122,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":72,"_73":74,"_75":74},6364216,"Committee endorses local sales‑tax option to help fund EMS in tourist counties",3195,4047000,7242000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=2165133-a6a4d1feb2660a441cbcfa4346808507&start=4047&end=7242","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/2165133-a6a4d1feb2660a441cbcfa4346808507/thumbnail_4047000.jpg","/articles/6364216/Utah/Committee-endorses-local-salestax-option-to-help-fund-EMS-in-tourist-counties","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6364216-95a09a4ec751eed49522f5106fa4420b/orig.mp4?Expires=1770967033&Signature=JfcbBqyy1TC7XjNkrL9f-Y9hiH-StkGfnWIwE8IVPOpjuEkmXYAAnHezsGfnM6Bl0XfB0BybNmE1fiv2bP6fEFIpMZ1C9n82KOO7DgWvL4Cixp46APOBLahprQsa3JQCPSps375CJwc6SNxrJpjgA-tYEmBOmuDJxuH~9GcWDMF7VUKcLzlNwSXJIJ1x1raFCjibPnZ~cdvvajJFCc8XnE1cUSVstrwrlnySkFCFnFmOz9TBo4xGkK7lYLzSulqF4WiK~C6acpvWXI6DIlAdwNW-8tf9qUNMH-E8~PEbGQbr22feQn7IVU2PnGCi34uqAHaQ3u8KmS3uNCkMjUljFw__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","Senator Owens presented Senate Bill 67, a measure the committee has considered in prior sessions, to permit some counties to adopt a local option sales tax to fund emergency medical services (EMS) in areas with heavy tourism and transient call volume.

Local elected officials and fire district leaders from southern Utah described the problem in detail. Bill Hoster, mayor of Leeds and board chair of Hurricane Valley Fire Special Service District, told the committee tourists vastly outnumber permanent residents in parts of Washington County and place a disproportionate burden on local EMS. Hurricane Valley Fire Chief Joe Decker said 28.9% of the district's calls are transient; one station reported 92% of its call volume comes from non‑residents.

St. George Public Affairs Director Sean Guzman and Washington City legislative affairs director Jordan Hess said their cities are at or near local sales‑tax capacity and have not raised property taxes in decades; they supported the bill as a tool that lets communities ask visitors to help pay for services. The Rural EMS Directors Association also testified in favor.

The first substitute includes a tiered authorization: a local governing body may adopt a smaller increment (0.33%) directly, while a countywide ballot measure would allow up to 1% with voter approval. Witnesses said local boards that adopt the tax intend to reduce property tax levies as part of implementation; some local representatives asked for language to require offsets and the sponsor indicated willingness to discuss that further.

The committee voted to adopt a first substitute and then to recommend SB 67 favorably to the Senate. Both the substitute and the final committee recommendation passed unanimously (5–0). Sponsors said the measure is aimed at counties that host heavy tourism and where visitors generate a large share of EMS demand.

Why it matters: SB 67 creates a mechanism for communities with high transient demand to share EMS costs with visitors through a local sales‑tax option, rather than placing the entire burden on local property taxpayers. Local officials argued the change addresses service sustainability where visitors significantly outnumber residents.

Votes at a glance:
- Motion: Adopt first substitute SB 67 — Passed unanimously (5–0)
- Motion: Recommend favorably SD 67 (first substitute) to the Senate — Passed unanimously (5–0)","The committee substituted and unanimously approved Senate Bill 67, allowing certain counties and local governments to adopt a local sales tax to finance emergency medical services where tourism drives transient call volume.","actionData","errors"]

Article not found

Senate committee approves bill to end public-sector collective bargaining after contentious hearing

Committee clears series of technical revenue and motor‑vehicle changes

Committee advances constitutional resolution to require 60% to approve tax‑imposing ballot initiatives

Senator Plumb presses plan for state grant program to expand swim lessons; committee defers for further work

Committee endorses local sales‑tax option to help fund EMS in tourist counties