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House advances a slate of bills on penalties, interlocal rules and elections
Summary
On Feb. 14 the Utah House passed several bills including HB 136 (tougher penalties for jail escape), HB 43 (enhanced penalties for crimes against the elderly), HB 187 (interlocal cooperative act amendments), HB 77 (utility easement changes) and HB 213 (emergency absentee ballots).
The Utah House moved several bills through floor votes on Feb. 14, 1995.
Penalty for escaping (HB 136): Representative Tom Matthews presented HB 136 to address a perceived discrepancy between penalties for escaping county jails (misdemeanor) and state prisons (felony). Matthews cited local cases and argued the change would allow felony charges where appropriate and improve extradition options; the House passed the bill 72–0.
Enhanced penalties for crimes against the elderly (First Sub. HB 43): Representative Armonte Evans introduced a substitute bill proposing enhanced criminal penalties for offenses against elderly victims, outlining tiered sentencing ranges including third‑degree and first‑degree options and noting a fiscal note tied to increased incarceration. "I'd urge your support," Evans said; the House approved the first substitute, 61–11, and forwarded it to the Senate.
Interlocal Cooperation Act amendments (HB 187): Representative John L. Valentine described amendments clarifying allowable securities activity for interlocal participants — authorizing sale of options and warrants but expressly prohibiting derivatives after concerns about municipal exposure to complex instruments. The House adopted amendment language and approved HB 187 as amended (70–0).
Residential service easements (HB 77): Representative Dean Davis explained HB 77, which enables municipalities and counties to expand utility easements to include water and sewer service uses; the House passed the bill 68–0.
Emergency absentee ballots (HB 213): Representative Dean Davis also sponsored HB 213 to permit emergency absentee balloting for hospitalized voters by allowing family or neighbors to retrieve and return ballots under a specified process. The House passed the bill 68–3 following procedural questions about the permanent absentee list and safeguards.
Each of these votes was recorded on the House floor and the bills were forwarded to the Senate for consideration.
