By Aidan Mortensen | KOAL News
The most hotly contested bill of the 2025 legislative session has officially cleared the state Senate in a 16-13 vote as HB267 has advanced to the desk of Gov. Spencer Cox who will now either sign or veto the bill. This comes after weeks of protests from public employees and union members who have decried the piece of legislation as a “union-busting” measure.
HB267 bans collective bargaining across government organizations. This includes public employees such as teachers, firefighters and police officers, who showed up to the capitol en masse to speak out against the bill.
The bill is widely viewed as retaliation against the Utah Education Association – the largest teachers union in the state – for a lawsuit they filed against the state which led to the removal of amendment a from ballots in 2024.
“This bill really and truly is mainly focused at the UEA,” said Rep. Christine Watkins in her weekly legislative update,” because of some lawsuits and things that they filed this last year. And so there’s a lot of people up here who do not have any love for UEA. Unfortunately, they’re dragging in all the other unions with them.”
State Sen. Nate Blouin has been outspoken regarding the measure, describing it as a “retributional effort” from the legislature. “The rationale they keep talking about is saving taxpayer money. But they can’t answer if it actually will,” expressed Blouin on social platform X.
Sen. Kirk Cullimore – one of the bill’s sponsors – during his closing statement said,” We recognize who our civil servants are, We appreciate them. We will continue to respect what they do and appreciate what they do.”
Initially facing scrutiny in the Senate, the bill was revised to allow for collective bargaining through unions if 50% of employees in the sector voted to certify the union every five years. This revision was removed late at night on Wednesday, Feb. 5, returning the bill to its original nature.
When put to a vote, the bill narrowly passed 16-13 in the Senate. Local Sen. David Hinkins voted against the measure. On Monday, Jan. 27, the bill successfully passed the house in a 42-32 vote. Local Representatives Christine Watkins and Logan Monson voted against the bill.
Senate Voting Chart for HB267
In a statement released by the UEA, the organization states,” The UEA is deeply disappointed in the passage of HB 267. Despite hearing from thousands of public-sector workers and supporters, the majority of Utah lawmakers refused to hear us. Instead, they chose to pass this highly unpopular and unnecessary legislation that undermines the rights of educators and other public employees across the state.”
They also ask Cox to veto the bill when it arrives at his desk,” Governor Cox has repeatedly stated that he is a proud supporter of teachers and public educators — this is his chance to prove it. We call on him to show up for teachers, listen to public employees and reject policies that weaken our ability to advocate for fair working conditions and quality public services.”
This is a still developing story, updates will be made as they become available.
*Photo Courtesy of the Utah State Senate