Utah lawmakers will gather next week to redraw congressional and legislative districts, consider the state’s bail system and take up a measure related to COVID-19 and the workplace.
Utah Gov. Spencer Cox on Friday released a list of nine items that the Legislature will take up in the special session — which is being convened primarily so state legislators can adopt new election district maps.
Legislative leaders say the session, which will get started Tuesday morning, could last up to two weeks.
In a joint statement issued Friday, Senate President Stuart Adams and House Speaker Brad Wilson said they will be “considering legislation to defend personal freedoms and individual choice and discussing other pertinent issues that deserve our immediate attention.”
Lawmakers have been working for the past few months to draw new boundaries for the state’s congressional and legislative districts based on population changes reflected in the decennial census. The state has also been testing out the new independent redistricting process required under an anti-gerrymandering initiative passed by voters in 2018.
The bipartisan, independent commission presented its district recommendations to state lawmakers earlier this week, but it appears unlikely that the Republican-controlled Legislature will move forward with any of these proposals.
During the special session, lawmakers will also be looking at:
Tweaking the state law creating a task force to redesign the Utah flag.
Changing Dixie State University’s name to Utah Tech University.
Modifying the deadlines for various election activities, such as declaring candidacy, holding a convention and signature gathering.
Adjusting the unemployment insurance tax rate for the next few years.
Passing legislation “related to COVID-19 and the workplace.”
Changing a Utah law that deals with cooperation between local governments.
Taking a position on a congressional proposal that relates to bank and financial reporting requirements.
The public will be able to attend the special session in person or can follow along virtually at le.utah.gov.
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