Senate keeps Women in the Economy Commission alive over objections from some members

The Utah Senate on Jan. 27 voted to retain the Women in the Economy Commission by removing it from the Sunset Act and directing that its report be included in the Workforce Services annual report. The final roll call on House Bill 56 recorded 23 ayes, 5 nays and 1 absent, and the bill shall be read for a third time.

Sponsor Senator Bramble said the bill does two things: it takes the commission out of the Sunset Act and changes where the commission report is submitted. He said the commission’s work is not entirely duplicated by the private sector and that Speaker Lockhart requested the legislative role. "The issue with women in the economy and the challenges that they face may be a little bit different than the challenges men face," Bramble said, describing policy barriers and regulatory issues the commission can examine.

Senator Dayton opposed the measure on grounds that the commission’s title implied government differentiation by gender. "I’m quite convinced that if we had a men in the economy commission that there would be a hue and cry from the women," Dayton said in explaining his "no" vote, arguing equality under law and that men also face distinct challenges.

Senator Henderson responded that the commission examines licensing and regulatory barriers that disproportionately affect women, citing university research into causes of the gender wage gap. Henderson said the commission helps level the playing field by looking at licensing and other regulatory constraints.

Senator Eskamia (phonetic in transcript) and other supporters emphasized public-private partnerships and the commission’s role in addressing wage and educational gaps that affect the state economy. Senator Bramble waived summation and moved the bill for third reading.

Because the bill passed the floor vote, the measure will proceed through the Senate’s third-reading process as announced on the floor.