Senate committee approves bill to end public-sector collective bargaining after contentious hearing

Senator Dan McKay, chair of the Revenue and Taxation Standing Committee, called the committee to order and moved House Bill 267, the "Public Sector Labor Union Amendments," up the agenda for discussion. Representative Sam Tuscher, sponsor of the bill, told the committee the measure would "eliminate public sector collective bargaining," offer optional professional liability insurance for educators, bar non‑public union staff from new Utah Retirement System participation and allow unions access to public property on the same terms as other groups.

Representative Sam Tuscher said the bill "really does 4 things," arguing that collective bargaining can leave non‑members without a voice and create conflicts when unions engage in political activity. He told the committee the Division of Risk had identified market policies costing roughly $110–$150 per year,…