Gov. Spencer Cox speaks at the PBS Utah Governor’s Monthly News Conference at the Eccles Broadcast Center in Salt Lake City on Thursday, June 16, 2022. On Friday, May 5, 2023, Cox called a special session of the Utah legislature for May 17. The legislature will consider three items that the governor says requires immediate legislative action. (Laura Seitz/Deseret News)
SALT LAKE CITY — Gov. Spencer Cox has called a special session of the Utah legislative session for May 17 at 4 p.m.
The special session was called to deal with three issues that require immediate legislative action.
Due to flooding in Utah communities, Gov. Cox issued a State of Emergency on April 18. Due to the ongoing risks of flooding, mudslides and landslides from the spring runoff as a result of a record-breaking amount of snow in Utah’s mountains. The governor is asking that the State of Emergency be extended by the legislature.
Secondly, the legislature is being asked to reallocate money to help with the costs of snow removal, flooding, flood response and mitigation.
And thirdly, the legislature will be asked to consider amendments to H.B. 225, regarding firearm possession.
Sen. Todd Weiler (R-Woods Cross), who was a sponsor of the bill, tells KSL NewsRadio, it should be a quick fix to H.B. 225.
“There was one mistake made,” he said. “We believe that we have language in there that complies with federal law. And restricting a non-citizen who has been admitted to the U.S. under non-immigrant visa from possessing or owning a gun. But that assumption that this provision line of federal law was incorrect.”
On Friday afternoon, House Speaker Brad Wilson (R-Kaysville) issued the following statement to KSL NewsRadio. The statement is regarding the upcoming special session.
“As temperatures continue to warm, we must prepare for increased flooding,” the statement read. “Extending the current state of emergency will allow sufficient time for the reaction, repair, and restoration phases that will need to occur on both the state and local levels due to this historic flooding. I look forward to meeting with my colleagues in the upcoming special session to plan and prepare for the needs of our State at this time.”
To view the proclamation by Cox calling for the special session, click the link below.
Proclamation 2023 1S – Calling a Special Session
Jessica Lowell contributed to this story.
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