Lawmakers tackled a wide range of issues, starting out by once again flexing control over local COVID-19 restrictions in the early days of the session even as Utah’s cases were peaking from the omicron surge. From there, lawmakers wrestled with a $24 billion budget, tax cuts, spending on water, education and more. Here’s what happened
The session started off with an intense focus on the COVID-19 pandemic. But after that, the focus shifted to tax cuts, culture wars and water conservation.
Despite rumblings of a possible early adjournment, the Utah Legislature s sprint through its 45-day general session came to an end right at midnight Friday night after a dramatic surprise on the Senate floor that spurred furious and emotional debate.
As the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers reviews Lake Restoration Solutions’ application to dredge Utah Lake and build man-made islands, the two bills that lawmakers say will help the lake are moving through the Utah House and Senate.
Although it might be the year of the Great Salt Lake in the Legislature, two bills that lawmakers say will steer Utah Lake toward a cleaner future cleared a big hurdle on Friday.