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Senate advances minimum-wage overhaul after heated debate over amusement-park exemption
Summary
The Utah Senate moved Senate Bill 15 forward after a lengthy floor debate and testimony from Lagoon Corporation and the Industrial Commission over an amendment that would exempt seasonal amusement and recreational employers from certain minimum-wage provisions; the measure was placed on the third‑reading calendar by a 25–0 tally at the committee stage.
The Utah State Senate advanced Senate Bill 15, a broad revision of the state’s labor code that would set a state minimum wage and give the Industrial Commission authority to set differentiated wages for minors, after extended debate and testimony on an amendment that would exempt seasonal amusement and recreational employers.
Senator Black, the bill sponsor, told colleagues the measure is the result of a yearlong task force and was written to “bring Utah work standards in line with federal labor laws” and to cover an estimated 8,000–9,000 individuals not currently protected by federal minimum‑wage rules. He said the proposal balances protections for minors with industry needs.
Opponents of the Lagoon-focused amendment…
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