Senate overrides veto on unfair-practices bill amid debate over definitions and process

The Utah Senate on April 26 voted to override Governor Olin S. Walker—s veto of Senate Bill 239, a measure intended by sponsors to strengthen protections against unfair business practices and to support high-technology businesses.

Senator Demetrij introduced the bill and urged an override, saying amendments addressed most concerns and arguing the measure would "make for a better climate to do business in the state of Utah" and "protect our technology." He told colleagues the definition of cyberterrorism in the bill was taken "word for word out of the federal code," and said he did not anticipate that portion to be a problem.

Senator Bramble, a cosponsor, said the high-tech community and some county officials supported the bill and that negotiations had produced compromises. Senator Hilliard and others criticized the timing of the governor's veto message, calling it an ambush and saying interested parties should have raised objections earlier in the legislative process.

Senator Allen, identifying himself as an antitrust attorney, said he was "very concerned about the process" and had read both letters opposing and supporting the legislation; he called for cleaning up language in a future session but indicated he expected the override to carry.

The Senate recorded 27 aye votes and 2 nay votes (with attendance and roll-call details noted on the floor) and announced it had overridden the governor's veto. The chamber said it would send the bill to the House for further consideration.