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SALT LAKE CITY — In a legislative session focused on balancing a tight budget and handling education concerns, lawmakers still found time to repeal minor regulations and technicalities affecting families and small businesses.
Laws protecting the rights of barbers to offer post-haircut head massages, as well as repeals to restrictions on sunscreen in schools were among some of the more humourous topics of debate on the Capitol, periodically breaking the tension during a busy 45-day session.
Barbers
"I know you like getting that tight, nice haircut, and seeing your barber and getting that nice scalp massage," Rep. Marc Roberts, R-Salem, said as he presented SB172, a bill allowing barbers to continue in the practice of offering head massages without fear of licensing restrictions. "All I have to say is, 'How do you like me now?'"
Sen. Curt Bramble, R-Provo, described one debate of the head massage bill as an absurdity, but the measure enjoyed near total support with votes of 28-1 in the Senate and 72-1 in the House. (Note: The two lawmakers who apparently don't enjoy a head massage — Sen. David Hinkins, R-Orangeville, and Rep. Merrill Nelson, R-Grantsville.)
Sunscreen
Roberts offered similar treatment to HB288, a bill allowing parents to send their children to school with sunscreen, and he vowed to "make sunscreen great again."
As some tried to evaluate the seriousness of the presentations, Rep. Craig Hall, R-West Valley City, sponsored the bill with the intent to clarify a common issue with schools throughout the country. With sunscreen's classification as a medicine, schoolchildren have not been permitted to bring or use it without special permissions.
The sun was shining on the bill during the session, and lawmakers sent it to the governor for consideration with minimal opposition.
Drones
SB111, sponsored by Sen. Wayne Harper, R-Taylorsville, targeted those using aerial drones for stalking and voyeurism. Harper said his goal was to update Utah's laws to adjust the definition of existing offenses such as stalking to include modern innovations like drones.
Drone-based harassment caught the attention of more than one sponsoring lawmaker.
HB217, sponsored by Rep. Scott Chew, R-Jensen, sought to prevent the harassment of cows and other livestock by drones and ATVs. The bill garnered fervent support from the agricultural community, even as lawmakers offered "moos" of support during debates and "neighs" for their mostly playful disapproval.
Short-term rentals
While laughter often surrounded a number of discussions, some of the measures and regulatory clarifications gave a sense of reprieve to concerned families determined to live within the strict confines of the law.
Stephen Palmer had been using Airbnb's "short-term rental" service to share rooms out of his home as a way to supplement his income. Palmer said he felt compelled to stop when he received an order to discontinue the practice.
HB253, sponsored by Rep. John Knotwell, R-Herriman, may have eased the concerns of Palmer and others offering short-term rentals. Legislators approved the measure, barring municipalities from banning the rental practice.
Art
Two competing bills sought to settle on state work of art.
Hinkins sponsored SB171 to designate the various Native American hieroglyphs in Utah as the state's work of art.
Rep. Becky Edwards, R-North Salt Lake, submitted the Spiral Jetty as the state work of art with HB211.
Edwards agreed to make an easy change, designating the Spiral Jetty as the state work of land art.
Celebrations
State lawmakers also found time to celebrate culture and heritage in a number of resolutions during the legislative session.
Rep. Karen Kwan, D-Murray, celebrated her Asian-American heritage through HJR5, a resolution calling for the celebration of the 2017 Lunar New Year.
Kwan, a freshman representative, was able to quickly move forward one of her first resolutions as a lawmaker, celebrating the holiday that begin in the early days of the session.
Lawmakers also approved SCR10, a celebration of the transcontinental railroad, sponsored by Sen. Peter Knudson, R-Birgham City. The bill's House sponsor, Rep. Scott Sandall, R-Tremonton, described the resolution as the "party-planning committee" to prepare for the celebration of the 150th anniversary of the completion of the railroad at Promontory Summit.
Kwan further touted her heritage with an amendment to the railroad celebration, moving to recognize the work of Chinese-American laborers who contributed significantly to railroad's construction.
Lawmakers in both legislative bodies gave unchallenged approval to the celebratory resolutions.
