This week’s Vernal Chamber luncheon included a legislative review with Senator Ron Winterton and Representative Scott Chew. Representative Chew noted that vehicle registration renewal post cards could be starting back up in May thanks to the passing of HB 170. He also mentioned that with the passing of HCR 1 it is anticipated there will be less releases from Flaming Gorge Reservoir. A highlight during his presentation came when Representative Chew invited those in attendance to get a laugh by playing a video of him during the legislative session when some information was added to HCR 19, which he sponsored. The new information caught him by surprise and he floundered a bit providing some laughs for those in attendance as well as for those who catch the clip circulating on social media. Senator Ron Winterton offered his own legislative review initially focusing on the approval of SB 176 which aimed to define the role and use of mineral lease monies in the state of Utah and is considered a win for areas like the Uintah Basin where the oil and gas industry have impacts. The opposition to the bill came about because of opposition to the proposed Uintah Basin Railway project. In addition to other bills that passed, Winterton explained that while SB 187 was vetoed by the Governor, it sent the message that the decision on masks in schools should be made by school districts and health districts on a local level.
