Utah House passes a package of bills on taxes, tribal affairs and public safety; schedules Moab tailings resolution

The Utah House of Representatives on Jan. 28 approved a series of bills on taxation, tribal affairs, building maintenance and public-safety procedures, and scheduled further action on other measures.

Representative Wayne Harper summarized House Bill 201, an agency bill requested by the Tax Commission, saying the measure "takes away [dealers'] ability to pay in person, turns them into a monthly filer where they have to report all the sales tax and all the sales at one time," a change the sponsor said will close loopholes and improve collection and tracking. The House approved HB 201, 71 yes to 0 no, and referred it to the Senate.

Representative Keel Johnson told members that House Bill 191 aligns the Utah Division of Indian Affairs statute with current practice: "This bill does not diminish Utah Division of Indian Affairs' important role in facilitating the government-to-government relations with the federal government, other state agencies and Indian tribes," and the House passed the measure 69–0 and sent it to the Senate. In remarks read into the record, Johnson urged continued consultation with tribal leaders and clarified appointment and consultation procedures.

The chamber…