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LEGISLATIVE AND POLICY WORK
The decisions made by local, state, and federal lawmakers have a lasting impact on our communities. As
new laws are created and others repealed and rewritten, the ACLU of Utah
works to ensure that these changes strengthen, rather than compromise,
our constitutional rights.
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Legislative Reports / Legislative Policy Work
2013
Legislative Report
From a civil liberties perspective, the 2013 Legislative Session was thankfully somewhat milder than previous years. Immigration and reproductive health legislation, typically fertile ground for Utah legislators, was uncharacteristically muted compared to measures introduced in previous sessions, and in other states around the country. Conversely, for the first time in many years, an LGBT nondiscrimination bill made historic progress in the legislature! Despite the more moderated tone on the Hill, we vigilantly monitored many legislative attempts to threaten civil liberties in Utah. Read more>>
First Amendment Concerns Result In Letter to Gov. Herbert Urging Veto of H.B. 44
Posted 3/20/13 - The ACLU of Utah has delivered a letter to Governor Herbert asking him to veto H.B. 44, "Election Polling," saying it violates the First Amendment because it compels disclosures that chill political speech. The bill would require disclosure of the person who pays for a poll regarding a candidate or ballot proposition and impose a fine for failure to disclose.
Read the letter (PDF) >>
ACLU Delivers Letter In Support of Equality Bill
Posted 3/7/13 - The ACLU of Utah sent a letter to all of the members of the Senate Economic Development and Workforce Services Standing Committee, in support of S.B 262, "Employment and Housing Antidiscrimination Amendments."
This bill would provide protection from discrimination for members of the
LGBT community and focus on the need to treat all Utahns fairly and
equally.
Read the letter (PDF) >>
TAKE ACTION: Support Employment And Housing Equality Across Utah
Posted 3/6/13 - SB 262, Employment and Housing Antidiscrimination Amendments, will be heard in committee tomorrow, Thursday March 7, 2013 at 4 pm in Room 215 of the Senate building. Contact members of the Senate Economic Development and Workforce Services Standing Committee and tell them to vote YES on SB 262, Employment and Housing Antidiscrimination Amendments.
Read more >>
2013 Legislative Session - Week Five Update
Posted 3/4/13 - With the legislative session winding down, things are picking up on the Capitol Hill. This change of pace was tangible last week, as bills started to move through the process much more quickly. This week we look at: SB 196, License Plate Reader Amendments; H.B. 44, Election Polling; S.B. 225, Immigration Trigger Dates
Read more >>
ACTION ALERT! Protect Privacy And Good Law Enforcement Practices - Support S.B. 196
Posted 2/27/13 - The ACLU of Utah supports SB 196, “License Plate Reader Amendments” because it will protect the privacy rights of Utahns whose movements should not be tracked by law enforcement without cause. Email committee members now.
Read more >>
2013 Legislative Session - Week Four Update
Posted 2/26/13 - This week we look at H.B. 43, Campaign Finance Reporting by Corporations; H.B. 127, Motor Vehicle Event Data Recorders; and S.B. 77, Availability of Government Information.
Read more >>
2013 Legislative Session - Week Three Update
Posted 2/21/13 - Last week was as busy as ever at the Utah State Legislature, as we continued to work with law makers on several issues.
Read more >>
2013 Legislative Session - Week Two Update
Posted 2/11/13 - This week was busy for the ACLU of Utah, as we worked with legislators on several issues concerning civil liberties.
Read more >>
Citizen Lobbyist Training at the Capitol
Held on February 6, 2013, we explored questions like, how a bill become a law, and how to be involved in the legislative process. Utah citizens packed a room at the Utah State Capitol to listen to presentations from Rep. Rebecca Chavez-Houck along with staff from Alliance for a Better Utah, Enriching Utah Coalition, Equality Utah, Planned Parenthood Action Council, and the ACLU of Utah.
Photos from the lobbyist training >>
Find out more about how you can be involved and make an impact on the legislative process >>
2013 Legislative Session Update
Posted 2/4/13 - As the 2013 legislative session got under way last week, the ACLU of Utah was present to work with law makers and address various civil liberties issues.
Read more >>
2012
Final 2012 Legislative Report (5/22/12)
2012 Legislative Priorities Guide (PDF)
Bill Would Force Mandatory Drug Testing For Public Assistance Recipients, Raises Concerns
Posted 3/19/12 - The ACLU of Utah has asked Governor Herbert to veto HB 155, "Drug Screening for Temporary Assistance for Needy Families Recipients." The bill would require recipients of public assistance programs to submit to various types of drug screening and is problematic because it singles out a particular group of people, the poor, and could violate privacy by retaining DNA information.
Read the HB 155 veto letter to Gov. Herbert (PDF) >>
USA Today Editorial: Drug-Testing Welfare Applicants Nets Little >>
The national ACLU resource page on drug testing for benefits >>
Bill To Force Feed Inmates Would Violate Constitutional and International Rights
Posted 3/19/12 - The ACLU of Utah sent a letter to Governor Herbert today urging him to veto Second Substitute HB 194, "Involuntary Feeding and Hydration of Inmates." The hunger strike has been a long recognized form of political protest. The bill, which would allow courts to authorize force-feeding of inmates, would violate an inmate's constitutional right to refrain from eating and drinking. It also violates various international treaties and conventions.
Read the HB 194 veto letter to Gov. Herbert (PDF) >>
ACLU Applauds Governor Herbert for Vetoing Sex Ed Bill
Posted 3/19/12 - On Friday, March 16, in the face of public pressure by thousands of Utahns and organizations, Governor Herbert vetoed HB 363, “Health Education Amendments.” The law would have deprived parents of the choice to have health education other than abstinence only instruction provided in public schools. In rejecting the bill the Governor said that existing laws were adequate and the bill would restrict parental options.
Read a Salt Lake Tribune article >>
Read a Deseret News article >>
Disservice To Teens
Posted 3/15/12 - The Salt Lake Tribune has published an Op-Ed by ACLU of Utah Executive Director Karen McCreary, and Legislative and Policy Counsel Marin Lowe, calling for Governor Herbert to veto HB 363 "Health Education Amendments. "
Read the Op-Ed >>
Governor Herbert Should Veto Sex-Ed Bill
Posted 3/13/11 - The ACLU of Utah delivered a letter today urging Governor Herbert to veto HB 363 “Health Education Amendments.” HB 363 deprives parents of the choice to have health education other than abstinence only instruction provided in public schools. Evidence clearly shows that sexuality education that stresses the importance of waiting to have sex while providing accurate, age-appropriate, and complete information about how to use contraceptives effectively to prevent pregnancy and sexually transmitted diseases (STDs) can help teens make healthy decisions.
Read the HB 363 veto letter to Gov. Herbert (PDF) >>
TAKE ACTION: Tell Gov. Herbert to veto HB 363 >>
Stop the assault on women’s reproductive health in Utah!
Posted 2/24/12 - HB 461, Abortion Waiting Period, would expand the waiting period before a woman can get an abortion from 24 to 72 hours creating a substantial and undue burden on a woman’s constitutional right to access an abortion, particularly in a state like Utah, where geography and location of abortion providers is such that many women would have to travel great distances in order to access services.
TAKE ACTION: Tell members of the House Health and Human Services Committee to vote NO on HB 461, Abortion Waiting Period >>
Support Open Health Education In Our Schools
Posted 2/9/12 - HB 363, Health Education Amendments would alter Utah law by categorically prohibiting even the mere discussion of certain topics, including homosexuality, sex outside of marriage and contraception. Under existing Utah law, a parent can already choose whether or not to have their child participate in sex education. HB 363 removes the ability for school districts to make decisions for students that they deem to be in their best interests.
TAKE ACTION: Contact representatives on the House Education Subcommittee TODAY and tell them to vote NO on HB 363 >>
Support Employment And Housing Equality Across Utah
Posted 2/2/2012 - SB 51, Statewide Nondiscrimination Amendment Protections will be heard in committee tomorrow, Friday February 3, 2012 at 2:10 pm in Room 415 of the state Capitol. Contact members of the Senate Government Operations and Political Subdivisions Standing Subcommittee and tell them to vote YES on SB 51, Statewide Nondiscrimination Amendment Protections.
Read more and take action >>
Protect The Right To Vote!
Posted 1/23/12 - H.B. 253, Voter Registration Amendments, could require the county clerk to remove YOU from the voting rolls if you choose not to vote in two consecutive general elections. Targeting a voter to be removed from voting rolls simply because he or she chooses not to vote in an election violates the federal National Voting Rights Act (NVRA) and could put Utah at risk of inviting costly litigation.
TAKE ACTION: Tell members of the House Political Subdivisions Subcommittee that the right to vote includes the right not to vote! >>
2012 Legislative Priorities Guide
Posted 1/19/12 - The 2012 Legislative Session is quickly approaching and the ACLU will be a constant presence on the Hill, working to protect civil liberties in our state. While the session is fast-paced and often brings about many surprises, some issues can be anticipated. The ACLU of Utah has identified priority areas that will be the focus of our work this session. These priorities include: Immigrants' Rights, Religious Liberty & Freedom of Belief, Participatory Democracy & Transparent Government, Reproductive Freedom, Equal Treatment & Equal Protection, Privacy & Technology, Criminal Justice Reform.
Download the full 2012 Legislative Priorities Guide (PDF) >>
2011
On The Hill: 2011 Legislative Report
Posted 4/1/11 - The ACLU of Utah was involved in supporting, fighting, and tracking more legislation then ever before. We helped: draft and pass 1 important piece of legislation; halt or neutralized 10 bills; attended 20 committee hearings testifying 13 times; followed over 50 pieces of legislation; distributed numerous letters, fact sheets and reports to legislators; initiated action alerts numerous times; responded to countless media requests for information and interviews; participated in ongoing meetings with and mobilized coalition groups; and, sent 6 letters to Gov. Herbert requesting his veto of legislation that threatened constitutional freedoms.
Read the full report >>
TAKE ACTION: Tell the governor: "Don't play politics with women's health."
Posted 3/17/11 - The governor could sign legislation to restrict access to abortion any day now. "Insurance Amendments Relating to Abortion," HB 354, blocks insurance companies from offering comprehensive policies that include coverage for abortion and interferes with a woman's private medical decisions. This bill is on the governor's desk, and we urgently need your help.
Tell Governor Herbert to oppose "Insurance Amendments Relating to Abortion" today >>
Download the ACLU of Utah's letter to Governor Herbert urging him veto HB 354 (PDF) >>
Immigration Bills Before The Governor Would Violate Federal Law
3/10/11 - The ACLU of Utah sent a letter to Governor Herbert urging his veto of H.B. 497, "Utah Illegal Immigration Enforcement Act," and H.B. 116 Third Substitute, "Utah Immigration Accountability and Enforcement Amendments." Both of these bills directly contradict federal immigration law. HB 497 would mandate unconstitutional law enforcement practices, and HB 116 promises benefits the State of Utah cannot deliver.
Read the ACLU of Utah veto letter (PDF) >>
TAKE ACTION: Contact the Governor and ask him to veto HB 497 and HB 116 >>
Read the ACLU's full analysis here >>
Read a 3/11/11 Salt Lake Tribune Article >>
TAKE ACTION: Tell Utah Senators: hard-working students deserve college
Posted 03/09/11 - H.B. 191, "Nonresident Tuition Waiver Amendments" would amend Utah's current law allowing for students to pay instate tuition if they attend and graduate from a Utah high school. The amended bill would require students to provide proof of filing state income tax, even though many families might not earn enough to be required to file taxes. Please contact your Senator and encourage them to oppose this bill.
Read ACLU of Utah talking points and take action >>
Read a Deseret News Article >>
Read a Tribune Article >>
Governor Herbert Urged to Veto Immigration Bills
Posted 03/09/11 - The ACLU of Utah issued a statement calling on Governor Herbert to veto HB 497 (Immigration Enforcement) and HB 116 (Guest Worker Program), which recently passed the Utah State Legislature. These bills are contrary both to federal immigration laws and to the principles set forth in the Utah Compact.
Read the ACLU of Utah press release (PDF) >>
ACLU of Utah comunicado de prensa en español (PDF) >>
Governor is Asked to Veto Bill That Would Diminish Transparency in Government.
Posted 03/7/11- The ACLU of Utah sent a letter to Gov. Herbert asking that he veto H.B. 477, " Government Records Amendment," that passed through the legislature rapidly late last week. The bill would raise serious roadblocks to the public's access to governmental records by raising costs and creating exemptions for many forms of electronic records. TAKE ACTION: Please email or call the Governors office demanding a veto of this bill >>
Read the ACLU of Utah's letter >>
Find the contact information for Gov. Herbert >>
Read a Salt Lake Tribune article >>
Watch a KSL news story >>
TAKE ACTION: Keep Government Transparent and Accountable
Posted 3/4/11 - The Senate Rules Committee will hold a hearing today to review H.B. 477, "Government Records Amendments," that would modify current GRAMA law reducing transparency in Utah government. Show your support for open government that is accountable to the people by coming to the hearing this afternoon, Friday, March 4, at 3:00 p.m. in Room 415 at the State Capitol! If you can not make it to the Capitol, email committee members and your Senator. Tell them to vote no on H.B. 477!
Read more and take action >>
Senate Version of a Guest Worker Permit Would Violate Constitution
Posted 2/24/11 - A Senate Committee passed out S.B. 60 S, "Pilot Accountability Permit Program and Identity Related Amendments," that would allow undocumented individuals in Utah to work. Despite its many constitutional flaws, this bill now heads to the Senate floor for debate. Marina Lowe, Legislative and Policy Council with the ACLU of Utah, testified in opposition to the bill before the Senate Judiciary, Law Enforcement, and Criminal Justice Committee on Wednesday, February 23.
Read the ACLU of Utah testimony >>
Read a Deseret News article >>
Read a KSL article >>
Read a SL Tribune article >>
Bill Threatens In-State Tuition for Some Utah Residents
Posted 2/22/11 - Despite testimony by Marina Lowe, Legislative and Policy Counsel for the ACLU of Utah, urging members to vote against it, H.B. 191 “Nonresident Tuition Waiver Amendments” passed out of the House Revenue and Taxation Committee, on Friday, February 18, with a 10 - 5 vote. It will next be debated on the floor of the Utah House of Representatives before a full vote. Please contact your Representative and encourage them to oppose this bill.
Read the ACLU of Utah testimony (PDF) >>
Read ACLU of Utah talking points and take action >>
Read a Deseret News Article >>
Read a Tribune Article >>
Arizona Copycat Bill H.B. 70, Moves to Senate
Posted 2/18/11 - Today the House passed HB 70, "Illegal Immigration Enforcement Act," 58 - 15, and it now moves to the Senate. We can not give up and must work to defeat its passage there. Please contact your Senator and urge them to vote against this bill.
Read the ACLU of Utah testimony before the House Law Enforcement and Criminal Justice Committee (PDF) >>
Read the ACLU of Utah talking points >>
TAKE ACTION: Keep In-State Tuition For All Utah Residents
Posted 2/17/11 - H.B. 191, "Nonresident Tuition Waiver Amendments" will be heard in the House Revenue and Taxation Committee tomorrow morning. This bill seeks to repeal the current Utah law allowing non-citizens to be eligible for in-state tuition if they attended a Utah high school for three years or more, and graduated from a Utah high school. Please contact committee members and tell them to VOTE NO on H.B. 191.
Read the ACLU of Utah talking points and take action >>
Unconstitutional Guest Worker Bill Passes House Committee
Posted 2/16/11 - H.B. 116, "Guest Worker Program Act," passed out of the House Workforce Services and Community and Economic Development Committee yesterday after a vote of 6 to 1. Esperanza Granados, Public Policy Advocate for the ACLU of Utah, testified before the committee warning that the bill violates the 4th, 5th and 14th amendments to the U.S. Constitution.
Read the full ACLU of Utah testimony (PDF) >>
Read a Deseret News article on the bill >>
Listen to a KUER radio story about the bill >>
Arizona Copy Cat Bill Advances Out of Committee
Posted 2/16/11 - Marina Lowe, Legislative & Policy Counsel with the ACLU of Utah, advised the House Law Enforcement and Criminal Justice Committee of the dangers of enacting H.B. 70, "Illegal Immigration Enforcement Act," modeled on the controversial Arizona law SB 1070. Unfortunately, the bill passed out of committee and will now be debated on the House floor.
Read the ACLU of Utah testimony (PDF) >>
Read the ACLU of Utah talking points and action alert >>
Equal Opportunity
Posted 2/14/11 - Listen to KRCL's RadioActive broadcast from Friday, 2/10, on Affirmative Action. Marina Lowe, legislative and policy counsel at the ACLU of Utah, joins Barry Gomberg, the director of affirmative action and equal opportunity at Weber State University, and Kim Hall, the assistant director of the Women's Resource Center at the University of Utah to discuss their predictions for the legislative session and the impact if a proposed constitutional amendment to exempt the state from federal affirmative action laws were to pass.
Listen to the show >>
Read the ACLU of Utah's talking points on the legislative challenge to equal opportunity programs (PDF) >>
"Improperly motivated," Senator Urquhart's SB 55 would "compromise commerce and the government in Utah"
Posted 2/10/11 - The ACLU of Utah and cooperating attorney Brent V. Manning, who jointly represented independent candidate for governor Farley Anderson in the landmark case Anderson v. Bell, spoke today in opposition to a bill proposed by Senator Stephen Urquhart (SB 55, "Electronic Signatures") that would greatly restrict the ability of courts and all other "government agencies" to accept otherwise legal "e-signatures" from Utah residents and others. In an interview with Etopia News, Manning observed, "[U]nder the terms of S.B. 55, in order for a Utah court to enforce a contract sealed with an electronic signature, it would need to engage in a 'rule-making process' which, as a court, it is not able to do, since its function is to decide cases, not make rules. Thus, no electronic signature, or online purchase, or other electronically-agreed-to contract could be enforced in Utah courts. S.B. 55 'would completely invalidate all electronic transactions in Utah . . . . Every government department would have to engage in rule-making that would paralyze the process.'"
Find out which Senators are on the committee considering SB 55 >>
Read the full Etopia article here >>
Read more about Anderson v. Bell here >>
TAKE ACTION: Stop H.B. 70, "Illegal Immigration Enforcement Act"
Posted 2/10/11 - Rep. Sandstrom's HB 70, "Illegal Immigration Enforcement Act," is going to be heard in the House Law Enforcement and Criminal Justice Committee tomorrow at 2pm (PM/ Room 30 in the House Building). Show up early to fill the committee room. Contact the representatives who will be at the hearing and tell them to VOTE NO on the Arizona copycat bill!
Read the ACLU of Utah's talking points and take action >>
Legislative Updates and Action Alerts
Posted 2/8/11
Rep. Chrsitensen's HB 182, "Voiding Transactions Against Public Policy," will be heard tomorrow in the House Judiciary Committee at 4pm. Should the state of Utah be interfering with YOUR right to contract? Tell the representatives to VOTE NO on HB 182!
Rep. Sandstrom's HB 70, "Illegal Immigration Enforcement Act," is going to be heard in the House Law Enforcement and Criminal Justice Committee tomorrow at 4pm (PM/25 House Building). Show up early to fill the committee room. Contact the representatives who will be at the hearing and tell them to VOTE NO on the Arizona copycat bill!
Find out which Representatives are on the Committee (Click on Committee Membership in the left hand column) >>
Read some ACLU talking points on immigration legislation (PDF) >>
Senator Dayton's SB 44, "State Commission Amendments," is headed for the House. This dangerous bill restricts the ability of the Constitutional Revision Commission (CRC) to make recommendations about proposed constitutional amendments. Is this retribution for the CRC's consideration of the affirmative action bill last year? Contact your representative now and tell them to VOTE NO on SB 44!
Read a Salt Lake Tribune Op Ed >>
The ACLU of Utah Legislative Activist Blog: Immigration Reform in Utah
Posted 1/25/11 - Monday, January 24, 2011 marked the beginning of the 59th General session of the Utah State Legislature. The opportunities that rest in the hands of our elected officials are extraordinary. What happens during this general session of the legislature will affect people’s lives for years to come. The question is whether that effect will be positive or negative
Read more >>
January 20
ACLU of Utah Citizen Lobbyist Training
6:00 - 7:30 PM
@ the ACLU of Utah office
355 N. 300 W.
in Salt Lake City
More details >>
2010
Utah's Constitutional Revision Commission Considers Equal Opportunity Ban
Posted 12/3/10 - Yesterday, the state's Constitutional Revision Commission heard testimony on the controversial proposal of California-based Ward Connerly to amend the Utah State Constitution to preclude the state from offering equal opportunity programs for women and underrepresented racial and ethnic minority groups. ACLU of Utah legislative and policy counsel Marina Lowe testified in opposition to the proposed constitutional amendment. Noting that a similar ban in California resulted in significant negative consequences, such as the elimination of pre-college outreach programs to minority and low-income students, Lowe and others strongly urged the Commission to reject the proposal.
Read the full article here >>
2010 Utah of Utah Legislative Report
Posted 5/12/10 - The efforts of our legislators during the 2010 Legislative Session garnered national attention as Utah legislators launched an all out attack on a range of issues, from reproductive freedom to equal opportunity programs in schools and state employment practices. As such, the ACLU of Utah was busier than usual at the Capitol during the 2010 legislative session as we worked to fend off dangerous legislation and promote passage of bills to protect the constitutional rights of Utahns.
Read the full legislative report >>
An Introduction to Some ACLU of Utah 2010 Legislative Priorities
Reproductive Freedom (PDF) >>
LGBT Equality (PDF) >>
Voting Rights (PDF) >>
Legislative Reports
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