Street racers may lose licenses

Street racers would be charged with a class B misdemeanor and have their licenses suspended under legislation adopted by Utah lawmakers Tuesday.

SB193 would allow officers to ticket drivers who engage in "speed contests" or "exhibitions of speed." Those convicted would lose their licenses for 60 days. A second offense would lead to a 90-day suspension.

Kamas Republican Rep. David Ure tried to increase the suspension to 180 days.

That amendment failed when Rep. Scott Wyatt, R-Logan, noted that punishment would be stiffer than that for reckless driving and multiple DUIs.

The bill now goes to the governor.

- Rebecca Walsh

Anti-gay club bill

Measure might not reach floor

House leaders avoided a debate Tuesday on a bill providing school districts with the legal backing to reject gay support clubs in high schools.

First, the House's only openly homosexual member, Rep. Jackie Biskupski, D-Salt Lake City, requested that SB97 be removed from a list of bills headed for their final vote, and she received the support of the majority of Rules Committee members.

The committee met again later Tuesday and moved it to No. 1. House Speaker Greg Curtis then reordered the bills and moved the anti-gay clubs measure down the list.

SB97 will die if the House doesn't debate it today.

- Matt Canham