SALT LAKE CITY (AP) — Gov. Gary Herbert has signed a law restricting the use of non-compete agreements in broadcast journalism.

Herbert's office announced Tuesday that he signed the measure, which bars broadcasters from using non-compete contracts for employees earning less than $47,500 a year.

The state's major TV stations opposed the measure, arguing that they invested thousands of dollars in the promotion and development of on-air personalities.

Several of their employees, including reporters, spoke out in favor of the measure, saying non-compete clauses force them to move out of Utah in order to find a better paying job.

Non-compete contracts, which prevent employees from going to work for a competitor for a prescribed period of time, cannot be longer than one year under Utah law.

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Information from: Deseret News, http://www.deseretnews.com

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