Neil Hansen, D-Ogden, presented HB114 to the House Business and Labor Committee Wednesday, recommending raising the minimum wage each year to keep pace with the consumer price index.

The measure stalled, with all but two legislators voting to adjourn without taking action on the bill.

Utah mandates a $5.85 hourly minimum wage. Federal law requires the minimum wage to increase incrementally over the next two years. On July 24 it jumps to $6.55, then a year later to $7.25.

According to www.laborlawcenter.com, the minimum wage in other states ranges from $5.85 to Washington's $8.07.

Rep. Ben Ferry, R-Corinne, asked Hansen why he wanted to separate Utah from the federal system.

"Several states have different minimum wages higher than the federal standard," Hansen replied. "In fairness to those making minimum wage - some are trying to provide for families - and inflation rises but the minimum wage does not."

Jim Olsen, president of the Utah Food Industry Association, spoke against the bill.

"What this would do is cause an undue increase in labor costs that we may or may not be able to build into the cost of goods," Olsen said. "We're having to raise our food prices and this would only exacerbate the problem."

cmckitrick@sltrib.com

HB114 Would raise Utah's minimum wage