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# Day 30: Breaking up is easier to do
- URL: https://utahpolitics.news/day-30-breaking-up-is-easier-to-do/
- Published: 2025-02-20T23:57:09.000Z
- Updated: 2025-12-18T17:18:02.000Z
- Author: Bryan Schott
- Tags: Legislature

A new Utah bill could make it significantly easier for cities to break away from large counties and form their own.

Under current law, creating a new county requires signatures from at least one-quarter of registered voters within the proposed county's boundaries to put the issue on the ballot.

Rep. Jordan Teuscher's [HB533](https://le.utah.gov/~2025/bills/static/HB0533.html?ref=utahpolitics.news) would change that process. In counties with 1 million or more residents, city councils representing municipalities with a combined population of at least 330,000 could trigger an election simply by passing resolutions.

Before creating a new county, Teuscher's bill mandates a study to make sure both the new and remaining county can function properly. The new county cannot split up existing cities.

Utah hasn't created a new county since 1917, when voters approved splitting Uintah County because of the long travel times to the county seat in Vernal.

### New bills that caught my attention

- [SJR13](https://le.utah.gov/~2025/bills/static/SJR013.html?ref=utahpolitics.news) calls on Congress to either call a constitutional convention or propose an amendment to establish term limits for members of Congress.
- [SB307](https://le.utah.gov/~2025/bills/static/SB0307.html?ref=utahpolitics.news) creates a new legislative commission to study education-related issues and propose legislation.
- [HB537](https://le.utah.gov/~2025/bills/static/HB0537.html?ref=utahpolitics.news) changes the structure of the Utah Schools for the Deaf and Blind from public corporation to part of the State Board of Education.

### Afternoon headlines

Mendenhall nominates Brian Redd to fill vacant role of Salt Lake City police chief. \[[Fox 13](https://www.fox13now.com/news/local-news/northern-utah/mendenhall-nominates-brian-redd-to-fill-vacant-role-of-salt-lake-city-police-chief?ref=utahpolitics.news)\]

Utah, 16 other states tell judge: We never meant to say Section 504 is unconstitutional. \[[KSL](https://ksltv.com/local-news/utah-16-other-states-tell-judge-we-never-meant-to-say-section-504-is-unconstitutional/741469/?ref=utahpolitics.news)\]

Utah plan to divert property taxes away from local schools and into state general fund heads to Cox. \[[Tribune](https://www.sltrib.com/news/politics/2025/02/20/sb37-utah-bill-divert-school/?ref=utahpolitics.news)\]

Utah to limit candidate nicknames on ballot after Lucifer "Justin Case" Everylove qualified last year. \[[KSL](https://www.ksl.com/article/51257950/utah-to-limit-candidate-nicknames-on-ballot-after-lucifer-justin-case-everylove-qualified-last-year?ref=utahpolitics.news)\]

University presidents would be chosen in secret if SB282 becomes law. \[[Tribune](https://www.sltrib.com/news/politics/2025/02/20/university-presidents-would-be/?ref=utahpolitics.news)\]

Bill will ban child marriages where there is a 4-year age gap. \[[Fox 13](https://www.fox13now.com/news/politics/bill-will-ban-child-marriages-where-there-is-a-4-year-age-gap?ref=utahpolitics.news)\]

Utah lawmakers move forward with higher education bill despite faculty opposition. \[[Tribune](https://www.sltrib.com/news/education/2025/02/20/utah-faculty-oppose-hb265-bill/?ref=utahpolitics.news)\]

### What's on Friday's agenda?

**Committees will only meet in the A.M.**

- Rep. Ryan Wilcox's [HB474](https://le.utah.gov/~2025/bills/static/HB0474.html?ref=utahpolitics.news), which aims to cut down on costly regulations for businesses, is on the agenda in the House Business and Labor Committee.  
([Read our previous coverage of this legislation here](https://utahpolitics.news/day-22-bill-gives-businesses-new-power-to-fight-costly-rules-2/))