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House reconsiders and amends controlled-substances penalties, then passes HB231
Summary
Lawmakers reconsidered House Bill 231, adopted a floor amendment expanding certain distance-based penalty provisions from 500 to 1,000 feet, and passed the bill as amended; sponsor and supporters said the changes enhance child protection and law enforcement tools.
The House on Feb. 7 reconsidered and amended House Bill 231, a package of controlled-substance penalty enhancements. Representative Dave Clark moved the reconsideration after floor negotiations; Representative Clark (floor member) then offered Amendment No. 2 to increase a distance threshold in the bill from 500 feet to 1,000 feet for certain enhanced penalty zones around schools, libraries and similar locations.
Representative Clark described working with colleagues from the Salt Lake Valley to refine the amendment. The amendment was characterized on the floor as "friendly" by sponsor Representative Wayne Harper and passed without recorded opposition. Members said the amended bill expands some covered areas and noted the measure contains a number of penalty enhancements tied to severity, repeat offense, and use of a deadly weapon.
Sponsor Harper said the bill "will protect children better and give law enforcement the tools that they need" to address illegal drug activity near protected facilities. After summation was waived, the House vote was opened and closed; the clerk recorded 'House Bill 231 as amended' with 64 yes votes, 0 no votes and announced it passed and would be referred to the Senate for further consideration.
Next steps: the bill will proceed to the Senate for its consideration and any further action.
