[{"_1":2,"_100":-5,"_101":-5},"loaderData",{"_3":4,"_26":27},"root",{"_5":6,"_17":10,"_18":19,"_20":21,"_22":10,"_23":-5,"_24":-5,"_25":10},"user",{"_7":8,"_9":10,"_11":10,"_12":-5,"_13":-5,"_14":15,"_16":-5},"roles",[],"isAuthenticated",false,"isPremium","planName","subscriptionStatus","featureFlags",{},"insightsBudget","isDevelopmentHost","userPreferences",{},"recaptchaSiteKey","6LcvOJcUAAAAAHsB-gPGfGktcRlKpH7OTIU_dMTD","isImpersonating","impersonation","affiliateStatus","isFreedomPortal","routes/v2/article/layout",{"_28":29,"_30":31},"notFound",true,"relatedArticles",[32,76,88],{"_33":34,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":40,"_41":42,"_43":44,"_45":46,"_47":48,"_49":50,"_51":52,"_53":54,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":60,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":66,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":72,"_73":74,"_75":74},"mediaId",6294756,"mediaKeyId","2521492-4f5924a1acce74c5c6b07a52be8aabd0","parentId",2521492,"title","Senate narrows criminal amendments that prompt immigration reporting, passes measure amid dissent","audioSeconds",1593,"startMs",5710000,"endMs",7303000,"viewUrl","/Search/View?dp=1&key=2521492-4f5924a1acce74c5c6b07a52be8aabd0&start=5710&end=7303","thumbnailUrl","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/2521492-4f5924a1acce74c5c6b07a52be8aabd0/thumbnail_5710000.jpg","articleUrl","/articles/6294756/Utah/Senate-narrows-criminal-amendments-that-prompt-immigration-reporting-passes-measure-amid-dissent","mediaUrl","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6294756-dce68ed48163d95236a62147d89f9177/orig.mp4?Expires=1771193633&Signature=JFgXfpdLXgLGc7YP5OkvTDUzKXKQGASiw1CcYjI5GOKDpknPB4Ulqd9DutvxSOe99jPqxcOs0ZGv88zR9WcbRgMhvJExr-H0GZXYAiSMhqhk0KtgqjWGsnROHqXCfFMNmu7Iv-ppUFoIwqs7mqZ-GDI9Zx-MlHPjbO~xg3D9HNvahvGY0nI1wqIjseZac3kBlgiPe7TgyBkB3KCwtK~Be8CHqIZ8VlppWk8Nz9e2MxuverOLsrdg7I~gOOKSgMxIBiAkZz3aS5zbrNRJahRC1iBXahL6rBM4E~kwA678AxagTAHcvJpdG4gDypFHjFw8EcXQ~74p3SwtdejGMYy0Jg__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","author","Utah State Legislature","date","2025-03-06T00:00:00Z","article","The Utah State Senate passed a substituted criminal-amendments bill (recorded on the floor as House Bill 2 26) that sponsors said narrows qualifying offenses and increases the maximum penalty for selected Class A misdemeanors from 364 to 365 days. The bill requires certain convictions to be referred to federal authorities and directs courts to collect and report an inmate’s immigration status when relevant, according to the sponsor’s floor presentation.

Sponsor Senator McKay described the bill as targeted to “crimes against persons” and said the forced substitute narrowed the qualifying list to the “most egregious” offenses; he told the chamber that the move would reduce costs associated with incarcerating some undocumented offenders and said the state is incurring increasing costs tied to illegal immigration.

Opponents raised due-process and scope concerns. Senator Escamilla asked whether the change would affect lawfully present immigrants and warned that increasing the maximum penalty to 365 days may trigger different federal immigration consequences; he said that could remove an immigration judge’s discretion and lead to deportations for some lawful residents. Senator Thatcher, who served on the sentencing commission, said the federal immigration framework had changed in recent years so that a potential one-day increase can change how federal authorities and courts treat an offense, and argued the bill could result in lawful residents losing immigration hearings or expedited detention.

Other senators spoke in support, noting the state’s federal immigration enforcement interactions and saying the legislature should address what they described as a county- and state-level fiscal strain. Senator Musselman and Senator McHale urged passage, with Musselman noting the sponsor’s narrowing of qualifying offenses and McHale citing work with stakeholders to address concerns from the committee hearing.

The Senate roll call on the floor recorded the substitute as passing with 21 yea votes and 8 nay votes. The president announced the bill would be returned to the House for further consideration.

Discussion vs. decision: floor discussion included policy arguments about federal immigration law, state incarceration costs and due process; the formal decision was a recorded roll-call passage in the Senate. The record captures substantial disagreement about whether the measure would expedite deportation for lawful residents and whether it appropriately balances public-safety and due-process concerns.

Why it matters: the substitute reshapes how select Class A misdemeanors are treated and establishes reporting or referral practices that intersect with federal immigration enforcement. Sponsors argued it targets public-safety offenses and reduces state costs; opponents warned of collateral impacts on lawful immigrants and urged more careful, stakeholder-driven drafting.

Selected quotes from the floor:

- Senator McKay (sponsor): “It increases the maximum penalty for class a misdemeanors… from 364 to 365 days.”
- Senator Escamilla: “My biggest concern… is that we will be hurting lawful present individuals.”
- Senator Thatcher: “This bill does not impact illegal immigrants in any way, shape, or form. I’m gonna say that again… this bill only punishes lawful noncitizen residents, and that is fact.”

Next steps: the bill was passed by the Senate and will proceed according to interchamber procedures; senators and stakeholders who raised due-process concerns flagged this measure for further scrutiny as it moves through the legislative process.","mediaType","Video","parentTitle","Senate - 2025 General Session - Day 44 - March 6, 2025","oneSentenceSummary","The Utah Senate passed a substituted criminal-amendments bill (House Bill 2 26) that raises the maximum penalty for select Class A misdemeanors and directs reporting of certain convictions to federal immigration authorities.","taxTitle","2025 Utah Legislature, Utah Legislature, Utah Legislative Branch, Utah","taxId",78171,"location","Utah","headline","","shortSummary",{"_33":77,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":78,"_41":79,"_43":80,"_45":81,"_47":82,"_49":83,"_51":84,"_53":85,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":86,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":87,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":72,"_73":74,"_75":74},6294757,"Senate debate on popular black specialty license plate highlights $3.5M windfall and proposal to cap annual charitable proceeds",307,1257000,1564000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=2521492-4f5924a1acce74c5c6b07a52be8aabd0&start=1257&end=1564","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/2521492-4f5924a1acce74c5c6b07a52be8aabd0/thumbnail_1257000.jpg","/articles/6294757/Utah/Senate-debate-on-popular-black-specialty-license-plate-highlights-35M-windfall-and-proposal-to-cap-annual-charitable-proceeds","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6294757-8d5c6d12e9cdf930bd76c6d57a76531e/orig.mp4?Expires=1771193633&Signature=gyUnJ-BiQutv2WS0Om3SLOavLRvDJNG0vpILXMJy8rf9cwl1OHxiwRAJHcBPPkAZdmmqdqRFeEtPiWK3irBe0SzPM0XnHWX1hN-CvFlARv-UB7FoYucJQtrYO6Peg76~g4t0fkdrX35jl1h452uC0q08~BBAYbPHCCpzGL~mfHQT0ce-RWqStUP1dXXxOZzi3WF20ukV7XJEI3o7za-LZovvCAdSz4NEjoxkTZY235Dr1rmMjuLe4o0Q0SOyOYVYZdJW5d-DrDheU903GBZD5h7AFOKT5y2RzgzX~9zhxNMMp9qWM6eHoF4RCVQAu0ea2h4hGm6kEgPSZxTKxfgJ7Q__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","Senators spent substantial floor time discussing the popularity of Utah’s black specialty license plate and how the proceeds should be treated going forward. The debate centered on a bill sponsor’s proposal to cap the amount that may go to a named charity and to return excess revenue to the state general fund while providing a one-time appropriation to the historical society.

Sponsor Senator Fillmore described the plate as unexpectedly lucrative and said the plate “generated nearly $5,000,000 for the historical society” before the bill’s change, and that the substitute language corrects a fiscal-note error that had briefly shown a much larger fiscal exposure. Fillmore said the substitute “sets a $300,000 cap on the amount of money that can be collected from the specialty plates and then the rest of that goes back into the general fund. So this protects the historical society for the money that they've raised so far with a $3,500,000 donation.”

Several senators objected to the approach. Senator Eby called it a “bait and switch,” arguing that purchasers may have bought the plate specifically to support the historical society, and said she could not support redistributing future proceeds to the general fund. Senator Kwan asked for detail on ongoing distributions and confirmed on the floor that the substitute proposes $2 per plate ongoing, with the annual cap set at $300,000. Senator Brammer and others defended returning windfall funds to the general fund as fiscally responsible and said the state should be able to prioritize competing needs.

Sponsor Fillmore said the historical society will receive a one-time appropriation of $3,500,000 in the substitute and that the plate had increased the society’s operating budget by roughly 400 percent, creating an unexpected windfall. Fillmore said the plate’s per-plate fee that funded the charity is $25 and added: “I would defy anyone in this room to find anyone with a black license plate and ask them, did you buy this black license plate because you knew the money was gonna go to the historical society? You won't find more than 1.”

Other senators urged caution about public transparency and incentives. Senator Kwan said the cap “is ongoing” and asked whether the $2 ongoing per plate is capped; the sponsor responded the cap is $300,000. Senator Milner and Senator McDavid raised concerns about setting a precedent that would disincentivize future efforts by organizations to raise funds through specialty plates.

No final floor vote on that specialty-plate substitute was recorded in the transcript excerpt. Senators moved to circle and later uncircle related bills and to return to other calendar items. The debate combined policy (how state appropriations should be prioritized) and questions about consumer intent and transparency.

Why it matters: Specialty license plates are a recurring revenue tool for nonprofits and public programs. When a one-off plate becomes massively popular, the allocation of proceeds can create large, unplanned budget effects that raise concerns about fairness and state budgeting priorities.

What senators said (selected quotes from the floor):

- Senator Fillmore: “the black Utah license plate is so good looking.”
- Senator Fillmore: “we also have the ability to create a corporate branded license plate, or a sports team license plate, vintage vehicles… the bulk of this bill is really about making sure that the money that's generated from these plates, after fulfilling a minimal obligation to the charitable organization comes to the state to meet the wide variety of state needs.”
- Senator Eby: “I think this is a bait and switch and I can't support this bill.”

The floor record shows substantive concern from both senators who want to protect a successful charitable fundraising stream and senators who argued the state should control large windfalls to meet priority needs across state programs.","Senators debated a proposal to cap the annual amount that a specialty black license plate can send to the Utah State Historical Society and to appropriate the windfall as a one-time payment to the society while routing future excess to the general fund.",{"_33":89,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":90,"_41":91,"_43":92,"_45":93,"_47":94,"_49":95,"_51":96,"_53":97,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":98,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":99,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":72,"_73":74,"_75":74},6294762,"Utah Senate advances a package of bills on dental licensing, local fees, public safety and other issues",253,954000,1207000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=2521492-4f5924a1acce74c5c6b07a52be8aabd0&start=954&end=1207","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/2521492-4f5924a1acce74c5c6b07a52be8aabd0/thumbnail_954000.jpg","/articles/6294762/Utah/Utah-Senate-advances-a-package-of-bills-on-dental-licensing-local-fees-public-safety-and-other-issues","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6294762-d1a6f6a313a080f0dcf716354488f2ea/orig.mp4?Expires=1771193633&Signature=m7FbttoYe1bkK1VokJdI4xm3PCF1xcg14hECFsPdDmVzIwqxCrZcpkd9nEuv-A54cPTTVXQYaNzoPm45adWrsCUqwkIKw~lhr9biSxsUHZbVgEMGIpOjUUErR9r~2IZiYCMawz5j-hVqYLV2IwznNeeXcrUgoMC~zjEVVVQttrIdKv9cnvCu0xU69f9FrnCO~79ZTFgfaPfJRKQSCRn6ft09NgN37o1w8Mr-rkK5AYhgFeiU2hpnjGgdeDwv3F0N1V-aHNacQUrkgmlCNPjR9EAIH2M5anVydJA8ZbRe8DY9qXCnIzmGMSnuClgHhZWpABFHHA-KFWG2R9KI~1dsUg__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","The Utah State Senate on Wednesday approved a set of House bills addressing dental-practice rules, local government fee limits, criminal-code changes and updates to state data-privacy and municipal authority.

The action came during a long floor session in which senators moved multiple bills from the concurrence and second-reading calendars and then voted on a series of measures under suspension of the rules. Sponsors described many measures as technical or stakeholder-driven updates; some drew substantive floor discussion before final votes.

Votes at a glance (items recorded on the Senate floor today):

- Third substitute House Bill 372, Dental Practice Amendments — Sponsor: Senator McCall. The Senate voted to pass the bill under suspension of the rules; final announcement on the floor reported “having received 25 yea votes, 2 nay votes, 2 being absent.” The sponsor said the bill “modernize[s] the Dental Malpractice Act,” adds teledentistry language, clarifies scopes of practice for hygienists and expands certain licensed functions.

- Second substitute House Bill 454, Local Government Fees Modifications — Sponsor: Senator Brammer. The bill passed on the floor (the president announced “14 yea votes, passes this body”). Sponsors said the substitute narrowed transportation-utility-fee exemptions and added transparency measures; the floor summary said it prohibits cities from using those fees for broadband or public safety except for limited exceptions and establishes a narrow exemption for property used to carry out religious worship or humanitarian aid.

- Third substitute House Bill 491, Behavioral Health Modifications — Sponsor: Senator Vickers. The floor announced the bill had received 25 yea votes and 0 nay votes with 4 absent. The sponsor said the substituted version corrected duplicate funding and narrowed the fiscal note; the remaining funding will be used to draw additional Medicaid dollars for the Utah State Hospital and the Huntsman Mental Health Institute.

- Fourth substitute House Bill 444, Data Privacy Amendments — Sponsor: Senator Cullimore. The floor announced the bill received 26 yea votes, 0 nay votes, 3 absent. The sponsor said the bill aligns code with last year’s government data-privacy law, moves privacy-notice requirements, and delays a full privacy-program maturity deadline to a requirement to initiate a program by July.

- Third substitute House Bill 256, Municipal and County Zoning Amendments (short-term rentals) — Sponsor: Senator Vickers. The president announced the bill had received “27 yay votes, 1 nay vote, 1 being absent.” The sponsor said the measure allows local governments, when investigating illegal short-term rentals, to use a listing on a short-term-rental website as corroborating evidence (not as sole proof), to request removal of listings that violate local rules, and to require collection of transient-room tax by operators.

- Second substitute House Bill 92, Individual Detention/Use-of-Force (citizen’s arrest clarification) — Sponsor: Senator Wilson. The Senate announced the bill passed with 24 yea votes, 0 nay votes, 5 absent. The sponsor said the bill replaces the label “citizen’s arrest” with “individual detention,” limits the circumstances where a private person may detain someone (must witness the crime and call law enforcement) and addresses use-of-force and transport restrictions.

- Third substitute House Bill 191, High School Credit Amendments — Sponsor: Senator Fillmore. The Senate announced the bill passed with 17 yea votes, 10 nay votes, 2 absent. Sponsors said the measure tasks the state board with standards for credit-recovery or competency packets and sets rules governing when local education agencies may accept such packets for credit recovery rather than as a replacement for a class grade.

- Third substitute House Bill 226 (recorded as House Bill 2 26 on the floor), Criminal Amendments — Sponsor: Senator McKay. Floor announcement: the bill passed with 21 yea votes, 8 nay votes. The sponsor described narrowing the list of qualifying offenses and increasing the maximum penalty for selected Class A misdemeanors from 364 to 365 days; the sponsor said the measure directs local law enforcement to notify federal authorities in certain convictions and argued the change will reduce state incarceration costs related to undocumented offenders.

- First substitute House Bill 379, Population Data Amendments — Sponsor: Senator McKell. The floor announced the bill passed with 23 yea votes, 0 nay votes and a large number listed as absent. Sponsors said the bill defaults certain state population references to Utah’s own population estimates rather than relying on federal counts that can lag.

- Second substitute House Bill 128, Dangerous Weapon at a School Amendments — Sponsor: Senator Musselman. The Senate reported the bill passed with 25 yea votes, 0 nay votes, 4 absent. Sponsors described the change as a recodification and clarification that possession of a dangerous weapon on school property is prohibited, including where a parent’s written permission had previously created an uncertainty.

Why it matters: the bills cover consumer protection and professional licensing (dental), local revenue and fee transparency (transportation utility fees), criminal penalties and immigration-related reporting, data privacy for governmental entities, and public-safety standards for schools and short-term rentals. Several passed measures direct new reporting or rulemaking by state agencies or create one-time appropriations noted by sponsors on the floor.

What’s next: Most passed bills were announced as returned to the House for further consideration or signature; the president said bills that passed would be signed and returned to the House for the speaker’s signature or placed on the concurrence calendar as appropriate.","The Utah State Senate on the floor Wednesday passed a series of House bills spanning dental-practice regulation, local government fee limits, criminal-code changes and data-privacy updates. Several bills drew brief debate; votes were taken under suspension of the rules.","actionData","errors"]

Article not found

Senate narrows criminal amendments that prompt immigration reporting, passes measure amid dissent

Senate debate on popular black specialty license plate highlights $3.5M windfall and proposal to cap annual charitable proceeds

Utah Senate advances a package of bills on dental licensing, local fees, public safety and other issues