The Utah 2024 Legislative Session is over. Here’s what lawmakers did

SALT LAKE CITY — Utah lawmakers made the most out of the 2024 general legislative session, hearing bills right up to the deadline at midnight on Friday and passing a record number of bills, 591, surpassing last year’s previous high of 575.

When the dust settled, the Legislature had laid the groundwork for a potential Major League Baseball stadium and arena for a hockey team, dedicated $25 million for a new low-barrier emergency shelter for people experiencing homelessness and revamped the state’s social media regulations aimed at protecting kids online.

The early days of the legislative session were dominated by emotional and contentious debates over diversity, equity and inclusion policies at higher education institutions, and restroom access for transgender people.

Although the 45-day session was front-loaded with what were sure to be controversial issues, lawmakers have continued to tackle a wide range of policies and are expected to pass several hundred bills in the final days, alone. House Republican leaders on Friday highlighted what they see as several key victories, including a tax cut that’s “pretty dang close” to $170 million, in the words of House Speaker Mike Schultz, R-Hooper.

“We’re proud of that — it’s our fourth year in a row,” he said, noting that the Legislature in the last four years will have approved about $1.5 billion in tax relief when all is said and done. “That adds up significantly, and it makes a difference in people’s wallets and in their budgets.”

Utah Gov. Spencer Cox on Friday evening was pleased with what lawmakers have approved so far, in what he called a “complicated” but overall positive legislative session.

Please read the complete story at KSL.com.