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House approves bill letting counties contract for supplemental law‑enforcement services
Summary
The House passed HB150 to allow counties to contract for supplemental law‑enforcement services and place contracting authority and liability with counties (with insurance and governmental immunity); members questioned Fair Labor Standards Act implications before passage.
The House voted to pass House Bill 150, which authorizes counties to provide and contract for supplemental law‑enforcement services and places contracting responsibilities with the county — a change sponsors said clarifies liability and provides insurance protections and governmental immunity for deputies performing contracted duties.
Representative Vazquez, the sponsor, said the brief bill ‘‘puts the burden to contract in the hands of the county’’ and thereby provides insurance protections and government immunity, permits deputies to remain in radio contact with dispatch and allows appropriate use of government property during contracted work. She said the change would create clearer liability rules and faster responses when incidents arise during contracted employment.
Members asked how the bill would interact with the Fair Labor Standards Act (FLSA) and whether short‑term contracts might still trigger overtime or other FLSA obligations. The sponsor and supporters acknowledged the FLSA ‘‘would come into play’’ and said it was not clear in every instance whether short‑term contracts would trigger additional obligations; the sponsor said the bill is supported by the Utah Association of Counties and sheriffs’ offices.
The House recorded 63 yes votes and 10 no votes; HB150 passed and will be sent to the Senate for further consideration.
