First Substitute H.C.R. 2

1

RESOLUTION OPPOSING GOVERNMENTAL REGULATIONS
2 1997 GENERAL SESSION
3 STATE OF UTAH
4 Sponsor: Dennis H. Iverson
5 A CONCURRENT RESOLUTION OF THE LEGISLATURE AND THE GOVERNOR
6 EXPRESSING OPPOSITION TO GOVERNMENT AGENCY REGULATION WHICH
7 PREVENTS THE PRODUCTIVITY OF UTAH BUSINESS UNLESS CLEAR EVIDENCE
8 EXISTS THAT BUSINESS PRACTICES ARE DAMAGING TO UTAH'S ENVIRONMENT;
9 AND ENCOURAGING REGULATORY AGENCIES TO DEVELOP REGULATIONS IN
10 PARTNERSHIP WITH INTERESTED PARTIES.
11 Be it resolved by the Legislature of the state of Utah, the Governor concurring therein:
12 WHEREAS responsible regulation is clearly needed to protect Utah's natural resources
13 from hazards that could otherwise spring from industry operating unchecked;
14 WHEREAS unfortunately, in some instances, the impact of government regulation
15 stretches beyond its necessary role as a check on industry and curtails its viability;
16 WHEREAS the productivity of Utah business is significantly impaired when
17 environmental impact data, at times vague and unsubstantiated, leads to the restriction of sound
18 business activity without corresponding environmental benefit;
19 WHEREAS before a government agency, through regulation, restricts the activity of
20 business based on environmental concerns, that agency should possess sound, scientific data and
21 reasoning upon which to base that regulation;
22 WHEREAS this approach to environmental regulation would foster a more productive and
23 equitable business environment throughout the state of Utah; and
24 WHEREAS involvement of interested stakeholders in the development of environmental
25 regulations has proven effective in Utah and would provide for better environmental protection
26 at a more reasonable cost:
27 NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED that the Legislature of the state of Utah, the

1 Governor concurring therein, express opposition to any government regulation which restricts the
2 activity or productivity of industry based on environmental concerns unless there is sound,
3 scientific data, which can stand the test of peer review, to support the restrictions.
4 BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that the Legislature and the Governor encourage regulatory
5 agencies to develop regulations in partnership with interested parties.
6 BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that copies of this resolution be sent to the United States
7 Environmental Protection Agency, the United States Department of the Interior, the Utah
8 Department of Environmental Quality, the Utah Department of Natural Resources, and to the
9 members of Utah's congressional delegation.

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