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Utah House rejects bill to restore 'statutory employer' immunity after heated debate
Summary
After hours of testimony from business groups and opponents, the Utah House voted 29–42 to reject House Bill 299, which would have limited third-party suits by restoring exclusive remedy protections to so-called statutory employers. Lawmakers debated worker protections, fiscal impact and the effect of the Pate decision.
SALT LAKE CITY — The Utah House on the floor Tuesday rejected House Bill 299, a bipartisan but contested measure that would have restored immunity in some cases for statutory employers and limited certain third-party lawsuits by injured workers. The final vote was 29 in favor and 42 opposed.
Supporters, including the bill sponsor and representatives of business groups, said the measure was intended to return the law to its status before the June court decision in the “Pate” line of cases and to protect small contractors and owners from disruptive litigation. "House Bill 299 restores the protection of exclusive remedy to the statutory employer," said Larry Bunkle, president of the Utah Manufacturers Association, who testified for the bill. He argued that the no‑fault workers' compensation system benefits both employees and…
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