8 bills we're watching ahead of Utah's legislative session

🏳️ Flag displays: HB 77, sponsored by state Rep. Trevor Lee (R-Layton), would prevent K-12 schools from displaying flags other than those listed in the bill, which include the U.S. and state flags, flags representing a university, and certain other flags.

🔫 Firearm storage: HB 132, sponsored by state Rep. Andrew Stoddard (D-Midvale), would establish a criminal penalty when a person fails to secure their firearm in a locked container or secure location and someone under 16 accesses it.

🚗 Window tinting: HB 112, sponsored by Majority Whip Karianne Lisonbee (R-Clearfield), would prevent a peace officer from stopping a vehicle for "improper" side window tinting unless the driver is also being pulled over for another offense.

🏛️ Murdered and Missing Indigenous Relatives Task Force: Minority Leader Angela Romero (D-Salt Lake City) is sponsoring HB 15 to reinstate the task force.

⚖️ Polygraph use: HB 17, authored by Romero, would limit the use of polygraphs on sexual assault victims during a criminal investigation or the prosecution of a sexual offense.

📄 Adoption records: HB 129, sponsored by state Rep. Raymond Ward (R-Bountiful), would allow a person to access their adoption records once they turn 18.

🍔 Free school lunches: HB 100, sponsored by state Rep. Tyler Clancy (R-Provo), would expand a state-funded program to provide free breakfast and lunch to eligible students.

• It would also bar schools from "publicly identifying or stigmatizing students" who can't afford the meals.

🧳 Refugee Services Office: SB 31, sponsored by state Sen. Ronald Winterton (R-Roosevelt), would establish the office under the Department of Workforce Services. Utah has welcomed thousands of refugees from Afghanistan and Ukraine since 2022.

Go deeper: Utah lawmakers take aim at immigration and public safety