Some lawmakers took aim at Utah’s delicate compromises on immigration with bills that sought to get tougher on undocumented people in the state.
Rep. Lisa Shephered proposed a repeal of Utah’s Guest Worker program. In a dramatic moment on the House floor, Rep. Trevor Lee inserted his bill that would repeal most public assistance programs for undocumented immigrants. It led to a heated debate on the House floor before it passed. The bill made it to the Senate where it didn’t go any further.
Rep. Matt MacPherson filed a bill to require impounding of a vehicle driven by an unlicensed driver. After some negotiation, he modified it to allow for an officer’s discretion.
Rep. Stephanie Gricius proposed a bill imposing a tax on international wire money transfers. It did not pass before the end of the session.
Rep. Trevor Lee filed a bill to repeal Utah’s driver privilege card program. It didn’t go anywhere.
A bill to raise the threshold for employer verification of employees’ immigration status passed the House, but didn’t get far in the Senate.
Sen. Emily Buss proposed a bill blocking any requirement of proof-of-citizenship for a child to take food from a school-based pantry. The bill never got a hearing.
