Votes at a glance: outcomes from the Utah Senate Judiciary committee meeting

The Utah Senate Judiciary, Law Enforcement and Criminal Justice Standing Committee recorded votes on several bills and a joint resolution during the meeting. Below are the items the committee acted on, with the formal outcome as stated in the committee record.

Votes at a glance

- SJR 14 (joint resolution regarding alleged price‑fixing and rental housing platforms): public hearing with community groups urging the Attorney General to join the federal antitrust suit; the committee considered a motion to favorably recommend. Outcome: the motion failed on a tie — the chair recorded a 3–3 tie and the motion did not pass. The transcript states the item "fails" after a 3 to 3 split in committee.

- HB 207 (first substitute) — child sexual‑exploitation penalty revisions: After extended testimony and questioning, the committee voted to favorably recommend the bill to the Senate floor. Outcome recorded: passed by committee, 5–4 (committee announced senators Wyler, Fillmore, Escamilla and Pitcher voted no).

- HB 38 (fourth substitute) — organized‑crime package covering criminal street gangs, organized retail theft, prostitution/trafficking, extortion and related enhancements: The sponsor presented background from interim work; several law‑enforcement and county attorneys supported the bill. The committee adopted the fourth substitute and voted to favorably recommend the bill. Outcome: chair ruled the adoption and the favorable recommendation passed unanimously (chair announced the substitution and the favorable recommendation passed 4–0).

- HB 226 (fourth substitute) — changes affecting immigration consequences and certain procedural items: Sponsor and stakeholders negotiated multiple changes and a fourth substitute was adopted. Outcome: the committee adopted the fourth substitute and favorably recommended the bill; the transcript records the final committee vote as passing (reported as 6–3 with senators Wyler, Pitcher and Escamilla voting in the negative).

- HB 358 (first substitute) — criminalization of virtual‑reality and AI‑enabled sexual exploitation of minors and custodial solicitation protections: Sponsor and DA's office described three new provisions; the committee voted to favorably recommend. Outcome: motion passed 5–0 as recorded.

- HB 271 (first substitute) — clarifying the statute for disrupting meetings and processions (definitions and intent standards): Sponsor said the bill narrows and clarifies statutory language; public comment supported the change. Outcome: the committee voted to favorably recommend (chair ruled it passed unanimously; transcript records "passes unanimously 4 to 0").

- HB 352 (House Bill 3 52 in transcript) — authority for enforcement penalties tied to geologic carbon storage primacy application (Division of Oil, Gas and Mining): The sponsor said federal primacy rules require state penalty authority; one witness noted the required per‑day figure. Outcome: the committee voted to favorably recommend the bill; the transcript records unanimous committee passage with online votes noted.

- HB 297 (first substitute) — expungement code fixes following 2024 changes: Sponsor presented technical fixes, and the CCJJ and Victim Services Commission supported the targeted clarifications. Outcome: committee moved and passed a favorable recommendation (recorded as unanimous with online votes noted).

- HB 276 (fifth substitute) — civil commitment and commitment‑process revisions (mental‑health and developmental disability provisions): Sponsor summarized stakeholder work and changes; the committee adopted the fifth substitute and favorably recommended the bill. Outcome: passed unanimously as recorded.

- HB 463 (second substitute) — child support modifications (collecting arrears when parental rights are later terminated; daycare collection processes): Sponsor described two primary policy changes; public testimony included custodial parents describing unpaid arrears. Outcome: committee voted to favorably recommend (motion recorded as passed with online votes noted; transcript records motion passed 6–0 with online votes).

- HB 480 — landlord communication and eviction‑timing refinements (electronic return of security deposits; consistent timelines for vacate orders): The sponsor said the bill updates practice and seeks more consistent judicial application of the vacate timeline; public testimony included landlord, tenant‑advocate and disability‑rights witnesses. Outcome: committee voted to favorably recommend the bill; vote recorded as 5–1 in committee with one negative vote reported.

Notes on procedure and recordkeeping

- Several items had substitutes adopted on the floor of the committee (for example, HB 38, HB 226, HB 276). Where the transcript records adoption of a substitute, the committee also recorded a subsequent favorable recommendation vote.

- Roll‑call votes and roll announcements in the transcript occasionally omitted full name lists for every yes vote; where the transcript named dissenting members those names are reported above. If a precise roll list is required for a bill, the committee minutes or the legislative clerk’s official roll call should be consulted.

Where to find more

This summary is based on the committee transcript and the chair’s announcements in that session. The committee transcript is the primary source for the items and vote outcomes listed here. For final legislative status, consult the Senate floor calendar and the Legislature’s bill tracking system.