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House debates penalty-enhancement bill aimed at crimes against timber, mining and agriculture; broadening amendments fail and bill is circled
Summary
Representative Iverson’s penalty-enhancement substitute, often called the "ecoterrorism" bill (HB206), prompted extended debate over scope and civil-disobedience implications. Attempts to narrow language to 'violent' acts or to broaden protections to all business ventures and government activities failed; the House voted to 'circle' the bill for further work rather than pass it.
The House uncircled first substitute House Bill 206, described in floor debate as a penalty-enhancement measure aimed at crimes that impede productivity in Utah’s timber, mining and agricultural industries. Representative Iverson, sponsor, said local prosecutors and county attorneys had expressed frustration at what they see as light penalties for such offenses.
A string of amendments followed. Representative Becker offered an amendment to limit the enhancement to "violent" crimes, arguing that nonviolent civil disobedience (which she illustrated with a…
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