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House adopts substituted abortion bill as a trigger measure after lengthy debate
Summary
After hours of debate and several amendment and substitute motions, the Utah House passed second substitute House Bill 235 (abortion law revisions) on Feb. 9, 2007; the measure was converted into a trigger-style bill and passed 62–12 (1 absent). Floor debate included funding, timing, medical exceptions, and litigation strategy.
House debate over House Bill 235 began with Representative Ray presenting an expansive revision that at times was described as an outright ban with narrow exceptions; Representative Rea said the subject "is extremely controversial" and framed the measure as a policy decision the body must make. The bill carried a fiscal note for litigation and defense estimated at about $1.3 million; sponsors said private donors indicated they would help underwrite legal costs.
Representative Gibson offered an amendment intended to exempt certain heartbreaking medical cases where a fetus is nonviable outside the womb; the sponsor called the amendment friendly and supported it. Representative Urquhart moved to substitute back to a trigger bill (language that would take effect only if Roe v. Wade is overturned) and argued the substitute preserves the state's policy while avoiding immediate large expenditure and legal risk. Several members argued both for leading with an outright challenge and for adopting a trigger approach to join other states in coordinated litigation. Representative McKith (floor) warned about timing and the Supreme Court's composition; Representative Litback and others emphasized fiscal priorities and cautioned about spending money on litigation instead of services.
The House voted to adopt the substitute motion and later adopted the second substitute as the bill on the floor. The chair announced that the second substitute passed with 62 yes, 12 no, 1 absent, and the bill was referred to the Senate for further consideration.
Representative Ray summarized: "I started off with a trigger bill, and we went to an all out ban, and now we're back to a trigger bill."
