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House moves child-welfare reform bill out of rules, strips unfunded judge pay provision
Summary
Under suspension of the rules, the House lifted House Bill 307 and placed it atop the third-reading calendar after sponsors said a funded substitute (excluding a $500,000 judges' processing proposal) will be circulated; members agreed to 'circle' the bill for further action.
The House voted March 4 to lift House Bill 307 from the rules and place it at the top of the third-reading calendar as a step toward final action on child welfare reforms. Sponsors said portions of the bill with fiscal impact had been removed because the Appropriations Act already funded an alternative approach.
Representative Fox moved to lift the bill and have it considered for second and third reading; sponsors explained the substitute had been funded in the Appropriations Act passed the prior week and that passing HB 307 was a technical step to complete related business. Members noted that the bill had been substituted and amended in committee and that some items in the original bill (a provision tightening court processing for abused and neglected children) carried a fiscal note of more than $500,000 and were therefore not funded in this session.
Supporters urged rapid handling so nonfiscal items could proceed. Representative Haman (transcript spelling) explained the substitute removes the judges’ funding portion while preserving other child-welfare items—in particular a program for 'ungovernables' that has had success in Utah County and has been funded. Members asked when the second substitute would be available; sponsors said copies were coming down and expected it by the next day.
The House adopted the committee report and the motion to lift the first substitute out of rules by voice vote. Members subsequently approved a motion to 'circle' HB 307 (defer its immediate placement) to allow sponsors to bring a second substitute; the motion carried. The House adjourned until 8 a.m. the next morning.
