SALT LAKE CITY -- The Utah legislative general session begins on Monday: Here are some of the bills Fox 13 News will be following during the next 45 days.
The proposed bills have been ordered alphabetically by the last name of the legislator putting them forth. We will add to the list as we get more information.
Click on the links below for more information about each legislator and about their bills, where available.
Rep. Patrice Arent, D-Millcreek:
--Ban smoking in cars while children are present
Sen. Gene Davis, D-Salt Lake County:
--Make cockfighting a felony in Utah
--Restrict tethering of dogs for long periods of time
--Prohibit the sale or distribution of dogs in public areas like shopping mall parking lots
Rep. Brian King, D-Salt Lake City:
--Raise income taxes from a 5 percent flat rate set in 2007 to 6 percent on those who earn more than $250,00 each year and 7 percent for those who earn more than $1 million
Sen. Aaron Osmond, R-Salt Lake County:
--Create a state funded preschool program for at-risk children
Rep. Kraig Powell, R-Heber City:
--Make bills in the drafting process public documents
--Authority given to the Governor and senate to control the employment of the state superintendent
Sen. Daniel Thatcher, R-Salt Lake County:
--Give Utahns willing to pay more income taxes for schools the opportunity to do so through including a contribution with their tax returns
Sen. John Valentine, R-Utah County:
--Proposed food tax increase that Valentine said would be revenue neutral because lower-income Utahns would be eligible for tax credits to offset the increased expense
Sen. Todd Weiler, R-Davis County:
--License plate reader amendments
--Mandatory helmet law
