House suspends joint rules to push forward ethics probe involving Representative Halvorsen

The Utah House of Representatives voted on Jan. 16 to suspend specified joint rules so the House Ethics Committee can move without a special‑prosecutor statement to Phase II of a disciplinary hearing in the ethics investigation involving Representative Halvorsen.

Representative Jim Pignanelli moved the suspension, saying the waiver filed by Representative Halvorsen removes the need for the usual special‑prosecutor statement and would speed the committee’s work. “A special prosecutor is not necessary because we already know the event that happened,” Pignanelli said on the floor, and he asked the chamber to allow the Ethics Committee to proceed without the typical preliminary statement.

House Republican leadership argued for the suspension as a time‑ and cost‑saving step. Representative Moody and other supporters told colleagues the move would conserve resources while allowing the committee to continue its inquiry. The motion passed by voice vote after brief discussion on the floor.

Following passage, Representative Pignanelli asked that the motion be spread upon the House Journal; the House approved that request by voice vote. The suspension applies to several listed joint rules and was described on the floor as necessary to allow the Ethics Committee to proceed with the disciplinary investigation involving Representative Halvorsen. No further timetable for the Ethics Committee’s next steps was provided on the House floor during the session.