Bills worked on by local representation made it through the 2017 Utah Legislation. Both bills sponsored by Representative Scott Chew made it through and are now just waiting for the Governor’s signature. HB 117 – Legal Notice Amendments will help put the legal notices in print and on the doorsteps of rural Utah, shares Rep. Chew. Uintah High School Government students assisted on this bill and traveled to the Capitol twice during the legislation and were considered instrumental in helping push it through. Rep. Chew’s HB 217 – Livestock Harassment also made its way through but not without garnering international attention. In addition to national outlets, news sources in the far off UK had even contacted Rep. Chew about the bill and its implications. HB 217 was initiated by a case of harassment that happened in Uintah County and is considered a growing issue. The new law is meant to help law enforcement agencies in dealing with improper activities that are disturbing livestock grazing on the range. Senator Kevin VanTassel’s SJR 14 also passed which will help return employment opportunities to the Basin and all rural Utah.
