The Utah House of Representatives made significant strides during the 2024 General Legislative Session on February 14, with the passage of two key bills aimed at addressing public land access and online data security.

The first major decision was the approval of Second Substitute Senate Bill 67, which clarifies the rules surrounding public access to private roads. Representative Kristofferson highlighted that the bill aims to simplify the process for determining whether a road has been used continuously by the public over the past 50 years. Under current law, if a private landowner allows public access for a decade, that access becomes permanent. However, the bill proposes that if there has been no public use of a road for 50 years, it should revert back to the landowner without the need for extensive historical verification. This change is expected to alleviate confusion and disputes over land use, providing clarity for both landowners and the public.

The second significant piece of legislation discussed was Third Substitute Senate Bill 98, which focuses on online data security and privacy. Sponsored by Representative Burton, this bill updates existing laws related to data breaches and outlines the responsibilities of individuals and government entities in reporting breaches to the Utah Cyber Center. The bill aims to enhance the state's cybersecurity framework, addressing the growing concerns over data protection in an increasingly digital world. Representative Burton emphasized the importance of defining breach notification responsibilities to ensure a swift and effective response to data security incidents.

Both bills received strong support, with Senate Bill 67 passing with 64 votes in favor and only 3 against, while Senate Bill 98 is set to further strengthen Utah's commitment to cybersecurity. These legislative actions reflect a proactive approach to managing public land access and safeguarding personal data, with implications that will resonate throughout the community as they move forward in the legislative process.