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Utah House advances archaeological protection and dozens of bills; multiple measures referred to Senate
Summary
The Utah House moved a slate of committee reports and bills to the third-reading calendar and referred several measures to the Senate. Notable floor outcomes included passage of HB 2 33 (archaeological/paleontological vandalism protection) and adoption of administrative rules reauthorization measures.
The Utah House of Representatives on Feb. 5 advanced a broad package of bills and committee reports, placing several measures on the third‑reading calendar and referring multiple items to the Senate.
Among the floor actions, the House passed House Bill 2 33, the Archaeological, Paleontological and Historic Site Vandalism Protection Act, which sponsors described as strengthening penalties for looting significant state archaeological and paleontological resources. The sponsor said the bill ‘‘upgrades it from a misdemeanor on the first offense to a felony on the second’’ and clarified the measure applies only to state trust lands and not to casual collectors or private property. The chamber voted to refer HB 2 33 to the Senate; the clerk recorded 63 affirmative votes and 1 negative vote.
The chamber also adopted committee reports and moved numerous bills to the third‑reading calendar, including measures reported from the business and labor, education and judiciary committees. Substitute House Bill 3 84, a reauthorization of administrative rules and related clarifications, passed the House as amended with the clerk recording 71 affirmative and no negative votes before referral to the Senate. Substitute House Bill 24 (handicap services task force) passed on the floor (66 affirmative, no negative) and will also be sent to the Senate for further action.
Other procedural actions included adding substitute Senate Bill 5 (recycling of waste tires) and Senate Bill 35 (reporting of industrial injuries) to the third‑reading calendar after committee reports, and numerous resolutions and honors were placed on the calendar for later consideration.
The House paused frequently for floor amendments and sponsor summations but followed standard parliamentary practice in adopting committee reports and certifying votes. The body collected $577 that day for the Primary Children’s Hospital radiothon and kept the contribution drive open for additional donations.
Looking ahead, the bills the House passed and placed on the third‑reading calendar will be scheduled for further action or conference as they move through the legislative process.
