SALT LAKE CITY — With the Friday's finish line in sight, the Utah Legislature were at work Wednesday on the following items:
CATALYTIC CONVERTERS
The legislature passed a bill cracking down on catalytic converter thefts. Ogden Rep. Ryan Wilcox’s bill requires pawn shops and second-hand merchandise stores to document catalytic converter sales and report them. With their copper resources, catalytic converters thefts have surged recently in Utah. The bill now heads to the desk of Gov. Spencer Cox.
WATCH: Three removed from Utah Senate committee hearing
PERIOD PRODUCTS IN SCHOOLS
The Senate unanimously voted to support a bill requiring period products to be put in every Utah school. The bill is meant to ensure girls don’t miss school because of menstruation. The senate majority whip included an amendment requiring the state board of education monitor schools to ensure they actually carry out the plan. The bill, which is supported by the governor, is expected to clear the full legislature.
CONTRACEPTION FOR INMATES
A unanimous vote in the Senate gave final approval to a bill that provides contraception for incarcerated inmates. Salt Lake City Rep. Jennifer Dailey-Provost’s bill ensures consistent access to contraception medication, which is used for more than just birth control. Govenor Cox will now receive the bill.
INLAND PORT
The Senate passed the latest bill dealing with the inland port, which strips Salt Lake City of voting power on the Port Authority board. However, it gives the city a big chunk of the tax revenue from the massive project that has support from Mayor Erin Mendenhall and the city council.
Senate Democrats broke from previous opposition to the bill and supported it, with the exception of Salt Lake City Sen. Derek Kitchen who voted no.
BROADBAND INTERNET
A bill to expand broadband internet across Utah passed the legislature, creating a special committee to find ways to expand internet access, particularly in rural areas.
CLEAN AIR HEAVY EQUIPMENT
The Senate rejected a bill that offered a tax credit for companies to purchase cleaner fuel-burning heavy equipment. North Salt Lake Rep. Melissa Ballard’s bill was a clean air measure. The bill failed to pass on a 18-to-10 vote.
