SALT LAKE CITY — On the final day of the current legislative session, Utah lawmakers spent Friday casting votes on a number of bills, all of which now head to the desk of Governor Spencer Cox for his signature or veto.
SELFIES WHILE DRIVING
The legislature gave final approval to a bill that bans selfies while driving. It prohibits people from filming themselves or even traffic while driving, which has been an online trend. The bill makes it a crime under Utah’s distracted driving law.
TINTED WINDOWS
Utah drivers will be allowed to tint their car windows a little darker after a bill passed in the legislature allowing it to go to 35 percent light transmittance.
CLEAN ENERGY ASSISTANCE
An air quality bill has just cleared the legislature that offers some assistance for low-income people to have their homes be more energy efficient, as well as help with the electricity and gas bills. It also offers other clean fuel incentives.
JUNETEENTH HOLIDAY
The Senate gave unanimous approval to bill to recognize “Juneteenth” as an official state holiday. A bizarre moment occurred when Riverton Sen. Dan McCay sought to amend it to make Halloween observed as a holiday on the last Friday in October, but later withdrew that part. The bill is expected to pass the legislature once it goes to the House.
GIRLS SPORTS
School districts could soon be required to evaluate how many sports they offer to girls. Morgan Rep. Kera Birkeland’s bill is meant to ensure gender parity.
CANNABIS BILL
A bill cracking down on synthetic cannabis products has cleared a House vote. The bill yanks "Delta-8" from store shelves which is currently available over-the-counter. It's part of an overall medical cannabis bill that passed which also requires hemp and CBD products to be labeled "not medical cannabis."
