As we celebrate Juneteenth, commemorating the end of slavery in our great nation, Utah’s part-time lawmakers will be hard at work in a special session to push back against the Biden administration. On this significant day, they’ll tackle two pressing issues: blocking new federal rules preventing discrimination against transgender students and addressing regulations surrounding Intermountain Power Plant.
The expanded Title IX rules aim to ensure that schools receiving federal funding do not discriminate based on gender identity. This means that transgender students can use bathrooms or locker rooms corresponding with their gender identity without fear of reprisal. However, Utah’s newly passed law requires individuals to use facilities matching the gender they were assigned at birth – a direct conflict with these new regulations.
To address this discrepancy, lawmakers will employ another recently passed law: the Utah Constitutional Sovereignty Act. This legislation allows them to declare federal laws or regulations unconstitutional and instruct state agencies to ignore them until ordered by a court to comply. While it’s unclear if individual states can nullify federal actions, the U.S. Supreme Court has consistently held that states do not have the authority to declare a federal action unconstitutional.
The second item on their agenda is a proposed change to another new law regarding Intermountain Power Agency (IPA). This bill requires IPA to submit an application to keep its coal-fired power plant operational instead of shutting it down next summer. Local governments and agencies urged Governor Cox not to sign the bill, warning that doing so would break an existing agreement with the Environmental Protection Agency.
The proposed revisions aim to push back the deadline for applying for a permit by several months and require the state to study whether keeping IPA operational would jeopardize compliance with federal air quality standards. It’s essential that lawmakers carefully consider these implications as they work towards finding solutions.
As we navigate this complex landscape, it’s crucial that we prioritize transparency, understanding, and cooperation. By working together, we can build a brighter future for all – one where every individual is treated with dignity and respect regardless of their gender identity or expression.