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House rejects bill designating licensing investigators as 'special function officers'
Summary
House members voted down HB368, which would have expanded certain licensing investigators' authority and imposed elevated penalties for assaults on them; the bill failed 25-48 after lawmakers raised concerns about expanding enforcement powers and about firearm carriage.
The Utah House defeated House Bill 368, a bill that would have designated certain Division of Occupational and Professional Licensing investigators as "special function officers" with search-authority and elevated penalties for assaults against them.
Representative Neil Hendrickson, sponsor of the bill, said the measure was intended as a safety bill: it would allow investigators on certain drug- or licensing-related details to seek search warrants and make assaulting one of these officers equivalent to assaulting a peace officer. Hendrickson emphasized that the bill prohibits those officers from carrying firearms and framed the measure as protection for staff who have reported being threatened on the job.
Opponents argued the bill would expand enforcement authority beyond what is appropriate for inspectors and licensing investigators. Representative Snow said he was "opposed to the bill" and questioned why license-checking personnel needed the special function designation, noting they are not police and do not carry guns. Representative Clark similarly warned against giving city or local inspectors added authority that could threaten construction projects.
After debate and a sponsor summation, the House recorded a final vote of 25 yes and 48 no; the bill failed and will be filed.
What’s next: The sponsor and department supporters may revisit the balance of investigator safety and enforcement authority in future sessions or in committee work.
