Lawmakers Passing Number Of Bills On Final Day Of Legislative Session
Mar 14, 2019, 7:35 AM
SALT LAKE CITY, Utah – Thursday is the final day of the Utah legislative session, and a number of bills are moving forward.
One bill, which would help students pay for college, reached its final passage in the House on Wednesday. HB 260 directs $20 million toward a need-based scholarship program, which would cover four semesters of tuition and fees.
The bill is based off of existing programs at Weber State University and Salt Lake Community College. It would expand the program to all state colleges, universities, and technical colleges as well.
Also moving forward is a bill to impose a steep 86 percent tax on vaping products.
Local vape business owners said it will be devastating, and it could even turn consumers back to cigarettes. The bill’s sponsor, though, said it will deter youth vaping and generate more than $23 million in revenue.
That money would be distributed to local health departments and provide increases for Medicaid expansion.