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House advances fourth substitute of Senate redistricting plan after heated debate
Summary
After extended floor debate over maps that several members said split counties and stretched districts across disparate communities, the House passed the fourth substitute to Senate Bill 2001 (redistricting) 42-32 and referred it to the Senate.
The Utah House on a 42-32 vote approved the fourth substitute to Senate Bill 2001, a redistricting plan that prompted extended debate over county splits and oddly drawn districts.
Under a motion offered on the floor, legislators placed the substitute redistricting plan on the Senate third-reading calendar and then debated the map changes at length. Members questioned staff about how to view overlays and compared substitutes using the legislative redistricting browser. Several lawmakers said the changes would divide communities and reduce representation for some counties.
"I will be voting against this legislation," said Representative Alexander, describing problems for his district and arguing the plan failed to respect geographic coherence. Other members, including representatives from Utah County, Tooele County and Weber County, described splitting their communities across multiple senate districts, difficulties with travel and constituent access, and substantial changes from prior maps. Representative Gowans said Tooele County had been split into four districts, and several speakers said rural service areas were separated from shared service districts.
Supporters urged members to accept the compromise and move work forward. After debate, the House recorded 42 yes votes and 32 no votes and sent the fourth substitute of SB 2001 to the Senate for further consideration.
The record shows a robust floor debate, with multiple members registering opposition on grounds of community division and geography. The transcript does not record additional amendments adopted on the floor before final passage; the plan now proceeds to Senate action.
