The 2024 General Legislative Session in Utah continued on February 27, 2024, with significant discussions surrounding various bills, including those related to local control and expungement processes.

The session began with a senator expressing frustration over the legislative process, particularly regarding how a specific bill was introduced. The senator noted that previous meetings felt pressured, likening the situation to having a "gun held to our head," which raised concerns about the policy-making approach. Despite these frustrations, the senator acknowledged the bill's potential benefit of deferring authority to local governments, ultimately deciding to support it while committing to ongoing engagement with the city to ensure community interests are met.

Following this discussion, the session moved to a vote on First Substitute House Bill 170 and First Substitute Senate Bill 272, which passed with 21 votes in favor and 7 against, with one member absent. The bills will now proceed to the House for further consideration.

Senator Stevenson then requested to revisit Senate Bill 163, which pertains to expungement free waiver amendments. The senator explained that the bill aims to address the current lack of a process for waiving Bureau of Criminal Identification (BCI) fees, which can hinder individuals seeking to expunge their criminal records. The proposed legislation would allow individuals to work with non-profit organizations to navigate the expungement process without financial barriers. The senator emphasized that financial constraints should not prevent eligible individuals from clearing their records.

The session concluded with an acknowledgment of the need for a waiver process for BCI fees, which could have fiscal implications if the bill is enacted. The discussion on this bill is set to continue, with an amendment or substitute expected to be introduced.

Overall, the meeting highlighted key legislative efforts aimed at enhancing local governance and improving access to justice through expungement reforms. Further discussions and decisions are anticipated as the session progresses.