Cox signs Utah Sovereignty Act to ‘fight back on federal overreach’

SALT LAKE CITY (ABC4) — Utah Gov. Spencer Cox signed into law on Wednesday, Jan. 31, a bill that would allow Utah to ignore some federal directives and regulations.

The bill, titled the Utah Constitutional Sovereignty Act, was introduced by Sen. Scott Sandall (R-Tremonton) not as a “policy bill” but as a “process bill.” Sandall explained that it would give Utah avenues to fight back on federal regulations that state legislatures deem to be “federal overreach” harmful to Utah and state residents.

“There are times when I believe when the State of Utah has been harmed and the citizens have been harmed through actions that the federal government has placed on the states,” said Sandall.

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Sandall’s bill passed largely along party lines with Sen. Kathleen Riebe (D-Salt Lake City) as the only Democrat to break rank and vote in favor of the bill.

Cox agreed with the bill saying that the balancing power between state and federal sovereignty is an essential part of the United States’ constitutional system.

“This legislation gives us another way to push back on federal overreach and maintain that balance,” said Cox.

The bill has gone into effect immediately upon getting Cox’s signature and Sandall has said he already has some policies in mind to be vetted and debated as soon as this legislative session. Sandall said among those regulations is an ozone regulation in the air quality arena.

Sen. Nate Blouin (D-Salt Lake City), who voted against the bill, criticized it on the Senate floor saying it opens up a “slippery slope.”

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“I know this has been described as a process bill and not a policy bill but it seems like there are specific policy ideas that are being tossed around here,” said Blouin. “I would caution us against going down this road and the potential costs from a financial perspective and a political perspective that it opens up.”

Sen. Todd Weiler (R-Woods Cross) said previously he doesn’t believe passing the bill would actually do anything, but voted in favor of it anyway.

“I went to law school. A good law school. I don’t believe Utah has the power to override the Supremacy Clause,” said Weiler. “Under the Supremacy Clause, as I understand it, the federal law will trump Utah law. But there is nothing I like better and there is nothing Utah like better than sticking it to the federal government. If that’s the intent of the bill, then I guess I’m all in favor for it.”

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