Herbert signs bill making changes to Utah liquor laws, despite board's request for veto

SALT LAKE CITY — Gov. Gary Herbert has signed into law legislation making changes to Utah's liquor laws, despite a state board's request for him to veto it.

The five-member Alcoholic Beverage Control Commission voted unanimously Thursday to ask Herbert to veto the bill, which was approved by the Legislature this month. The governor declined to comment on the matter prior to signing Senate Bill 314 on Friday, the Salt Lake Tribune reported.

Commissioners were particularly critical of a provision that gives the governor the power to appoint its chairman instead of commissioners choosing their own. They also oppose a provision that allows licenses to be sold privately, saying it will hurt small businesses.

The bill makes other changes to the state's liquor laws, including the elimination of daily drink specials, an increase in the number of liquor licenses for restaurants and the allowance of individual drinks to be delivered through room service.

The measure was among 51 bills that Herbert signed into law on Friday, including House Bill 199 that allows school districts to sell advertisements on the sides of school buses, and House Bill 200 that mandates all schools to teach that the U.S. is a "compound constitutional republic," not a democracy.

Herbert also signed House Bill 177, which will create a check-off on state income tax forms allowing taxpayers to contribute to a fund to buy body armor for police dogs. It was prompted after a Midvale police dog was shot and killed in the line of duty.

The governor also signed Senate Bill 123, which will prevent school districts from hiring lobbyists to work on Capitol Hill, although district employees could still lobby legislators.