Utah House adopts committee reports, advances multiple bills and hears introductions

The Utah House of Representatives on the floor confirmed a string of committee recommendations, advancing several bills toward further consideration and placing others on the consent calendar.

Lawmakers adopted the Law Enforcement and Criminal Justice Committee's report on HB 59 (Peace officer classifications amendments), moving the measure to a second reading and the consent calendar after Representative Bowman moved adoption and the body voice-voted to approve the motion. "I move for the adoption of the committee report," Representative Bowman said; the motion passed without recorded opposition.

The Education Committee's favorable recommendations on HB 172 (textbooks in public schools), HB 54 (appropriation for environmental literacy curriculum, with amendments), HB 225 (school bus railroad crossing requirements), and HB 216 (appointing school superintendents and business administrators, with amendments) were also adopted. Representative Bigelow moved the adoption; HB 172, HB 54 and HB 225 were read for a second time and placed on the third-reading calendar, while HB 216 was directed to the consent calendar.

The Transportation Committee's report on HB 228 (motor vehicle insurance on certain vehicles), HB 215 (vehicle registration amendments), and HB 208 (license plate renewal for persons with disabilities) was adopted after Representative Bush moved the committee report. HB 228 and HB 215 were scheduled for second reading and placed on the third-reading calendar; HB 208 was placed on the consent calendar.

The Government Operations Committee reported favorably on first substitute HB 11 (judicial debt collection amendments) and HB 178 (registration form amendments). Representative Tanner moved adoption and the measures were set for second reading and placement on the third-reading calendar.

Earlier, clerks transmitted notifications from the Senate advising the House that several measures had passed the upper chamber and were being sent for consideration, including a substitute for SB 9 (long-term care amendments), a substitute for SB 75 (identity fraud), SB 79 (sales-tax exemption for manufactured homes), and SB 83 (railroad authority reauthorization); those Senate-passed bills were announced for first reading and referral to the Rules Committee.

The clerk also read in a slate of newly introduced House measures covering topics such as subdivision law (HB 90), a Western States presidential primary (HB 91), restrictions on weapons and explosives in certain private property locations (HB 92), training requirements for caseworkers (HB 93), computer equipment and appropriations for the Utah Highway Patrol (HB 94 and HB 95), mineral lease amendments (HB 96), vehicle registration renewal requirements (HB 255), local park appropriations (HB 256), a crime reduction task force (HB 257), public safety retirement cost-of-living adjustments (HB 258), and related measures. The listed bills were read for the first time and referred to the Rules Committee for further consideration.

In brief floor business, the clerk reported one excused absence: Representative Jerry Adair. Representative Walsh recognized 22 visiting students from Woodland Hills High School and their instructor, Kristen Hillman, who were acknowledged by the chamber.

The House adjourned the segment of floor business after the committee reports and introductions; several measures will return for second or third reading on subsequent calendars or be considered on the consent calendar as noted.