(Salt Lake City, UT) — Republican lawmakers will try to limit the powers that a Utah mayor can exercise during a pandemic. A bill unveiled yesterday would prevent the chief executive of any municipality from using emergency powers to respond to a public health emergency. The bill is seen as a response to actions taken last year by Salt Lake City Mayor Erin Mendenhall. The mayor instituted a mask order for Salt Lake City schools at the beginning of the school year. The bill also would exempt state buildings from local health orders and mandates.