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House advances Private Property Protection Act to Senate, adding state ombudsman role
Summary
The Utah House voted to advance H.B. 64, the Private Property Protection Act amendments, which would create a state ombudsman to mediate disputes between property owners and government agencies; the bill passed the House and was sent to the Senate (49–15).
The Utah House on Feb. 3 advanced House Bill 64, the Private Property Protection Act amendments, sending the measure to the Senate after a 49–15 recorded vote. Sponsors said the bill creates an ombudsman to mediate disputes between private citizens and state or local agencies and to advise on relevant case law.
Supporters told the chamber the measure is designed to protect ownership rights they said are rooted in the Fifth and Fourteenth Amendments and to provide a forum for resolving disagreements with agencies, including interactions the sponsor said had previously required negotiation with the Department of Environmental Quality and the health department.
In floor discussion, a member asked whether the ombudsman would cover routine zoning actions. The sponsor responded that the ombudsman would be knowledgeable about zoning court cases and could advise governments and citizens on how court decisions apply, but the sponsor stopped short of saying every routine zoning action would fall under the ombudsman’s remit.
The bill was read for title and carried on a recorded vote. The chair announced that H.B. 64 had received 49 yes votes and 15 no votes and would be forwarded to the Senate for consideration.
Next steps: H.B. 64 will be considered by the Senate; the House sponsor said the goal was to prioritize fiscal-note bills and move them quickly for Senate action.
