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Critics decry lack of public input, debate in rushing through legislation for massive Utah trade hub known as the inland port

With 23 minutes left in the only hearing held on changes to the controversial inland port bill, which state leaders have described as the most important economic development project in Utah history, the committee chairman opened the meeting up for public comment and made an announcement.

People who came to the 10:30 a.m. Tuesday hearing would have one minute apiece to speak their minds, Sen. Curt Bramble, a Provo Republican who conducted the meeting, told them just hours before the full Legislature overwhelmingly passed the bill that had been made public only 48 hours earlier.

Time was running short on a day packed with bills that would change several tax laws, an alcohol fix and the newly created and controversial Utah Inland Port.