Utah House advances wide slate of bills in Feb. 13, 2003 floor session; several measures amended and sent to Senate

SALT LAKE CITY — The Utah House of Representatives met in floor session on Feb. 13, 2003, adopting committee reports and approving a broad set of bills and resolutions that the chamber then transmitted to the Senate for further action.

The House opened with an invocation and the Pledge of Allegiance before clerks read communications from the Senate and committee reports. Committee chairs moved several items to second and third reading and the House adopted the Rules Committee report that assigned additional bills to standing committees.

Why it matters: The session advanced measures that touch a range of policy areas — from criminal procedure and forensic evidence to consumer protections and redevelopment of contaminated property — and finalized vote tallies that will be part of the legislative record as these items move to the Senate.

Key outcomes and notable debates

• Sunset reauthorizations — S.B.26 (amendment and passage). The House voted to uncircle S.B.26 and then adopted an amendment offered by Representative Curtis to change two sunset dates, deleting 02/2008 and 02/2012 and inserting 02/2004 so those boards and commissions would be reviewed sooner. Curtis said he sought the change because the Commission on Criminal and Juvenile Justice (CCJJ) and the alternative dispute resolution pilot had ‘‘grown’’ and warranted further review. Representative Daniels opposed shortening those dates, saying the interim review had been adequate. The amendment passed by voice and S.B.26 passed the House 70–0.

Representative Curtis: “...I would simply like to look at the process as well as the rules. I’m not trying to sunset them this summer, but it would be 02/2004 so that they could be reviewed during the interim.”

Representative Daniels: “They came in, they made their presentation... it appears that they had the same review that everybody else had.”

• Vehicle recall and consumer access — S.B.104. Representative Barras described a measure allowing motor vehicle records to be searched by vehicle identification number so manufacturers or designees can send recall notices to current owners. The bill restricts resale of the data and limits use to recall purposes; the House passed it 67–0.

• Security personnel licensing — First substitute S.B.88. Sponsors said the bill streamlines enforcement and grants citation authority to investigators so unlicensed security companies can be cited sooner; citation revenue would go to the general fund and support training. After debate the House passed the substitute 47–21.

• Forced entry and arrest procedure — S.B.48. A sponsor described changes to bring state procedure in line with U.S. Supreme Court Fourth and Fourteenth Amendment jurisprudence, limiting nonconsensual entries to exigent circumstances; the House passed the bill 66–0.

• Environmental restrictive covenants — S.B.84. Senator Morley said the bill would let landowners place voluntary deed restrictions tying property to intended uses (for example, industrial), allowing cleanup to that standard rather than a residential standard and potentially speeding redevelopment. Members asked whether changes would reduce cleanup funding or how restrictions would carry with property sales; the sponsor said a voluntary deed restriction would remain with the property until recertified and argued the measure protected property rights while facilitating reuse. The House passed the bill 66–0.

• International trade resolution — SJR7. Under suspension of the rules the House read SJR7, a joint resolution urging the U.S. administration to support a free-trade agreement with the Republic of China (Taiwan). Representative Styler introduced Matthew S. Lee, consul general of Taiwan, who was present in the gallery; members moved the resolution for immediate consideration and advanced it on the third-reading calendar.

Votes at a glance (selected items recorded on the floor)

• HB231 (health care facility licensure intervals): Passed 69–0; advances to the Senate. • HB229 (locator information for noncustodial parents): Passed 68–0; advances to the Senate. • SB19 (vehicle history information): Passed 65–3; advances to the Senate. • SB26 (sunset reauthorizations, as amended): Amendment adopted (dates changed as noted); bill passed 70–0. • SB104 (vehicle recall disclosure by VIN): Passed 67–0. • First substitute SB88 (security personnel licensing): Passed 47–21. • SB48 (forced entry to make arrest): Passed 66–0. • SB116 (DNA/warrants, prosecution timing): Passed 71–0. • SB84 (voluntary environmental restrictive covenants): Passed 66–0.

What was not decided: Many measures were placed on calendars for second or third reading or were assigned to committees for further work; the House recessed until 2 p.m.

Speakers quoted in this report are identified in the House record. Vote tallies and bill titles above reflect the public floor record.