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Utah Legislature overrides bills in turf war with Gov. Gary Herbert over separation of powers

Despite some close calls, the Utah Legislature on Wednesday overrode vetoes by Gov. Gary Herbert that grew out of a yearlong turf war where part-time lawmakers contend the full-time governor is seizing too much of their power.

One bill resurrected and passed is HB198, which spells out procedures to force the Utah Attorney General to provide the Legislature written legal opinions when requested, as already required by law.

Herbert blocked one such opinion last year by saying it would violate his attorney-client privilege with the A.G.’s office.

The bill barely achieved the needed two-thirds majority in the Senate on a 20-8 vote — after legislators held the voting open for five minutes to wait for Sen.