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House passes several bills on water protection, public safety and victim reparations; multiple bills circled
Summary
The House passed measures including crime victim reparations revisions (HB 312), an expansion to laws on enticing minors by electronic means (HB 327), safe drinking water revisions (HB 40), a task force on radio communications (HB 292) and a meth-awareness resolution (HCR1); several bills were circled for further work.
The Utah House handled numerous third-reading items in a single floor session, passing several bills and circling others for further consideration.
Crime Victim Reparations (House Bill 312): Representative Julie Fisher moved Amendment 4 (coordination with recodification and removal of a provision) and said the bill authorizes a medical fee schedule requiring providers to accept CVR payment as payment in full and permits the CVR Board to reduce its right of recovery in particular cases. The amendment was adopted and the House passed HB 312; intent language directing the Office of Crime Victim Reparations to work with medical providers on a medical fee schedule was adopted on the floor.
Enticing a Minor by Electronic Means (House Bill 327): Representative Carrie Gibson said the bill adds text messaging to the covered modes of communication and otherwise makes technical renumbering changes; HB 327 passed on the floor.
Safe Drinking Water Revisions (First Substitute HB 40): Representative Anderson brought HB 40 back from the circle for floor consideration; she described the bill as permitting first- and second-class counties to adopt ordinances protecting drinking-water sources and noted support from water associations and the Utah Association of Counties. The House passed the bill and forwarded it to the Senate.
Radio Communications Task Force (House Bill 292): Representative Brad Dee explained the need for a task force to plan for the loss of legacy radio bands after 2013 and to coordinate financing for emergency communications; the House passed HB 292.
Meth Awareness Resolution (House Concurrent Resolution 1): Representative Curtis Oda presented HCR1, prompted by junior-high students, urging age-appropriate meth-awareness education; he noted student engagement including a symposium that drew more than 200 attendees. The resolution passed unanimously on the floor and will be forwarded to the Senate.
Other items: Several bills were "circled" (set aside) or uncircled during the session (for example HB 39 and HB 323) and will be subject to further work.
Votes at a glance (selected): HB 312 — passed (70 yes, 0 no, 5 absent); HB 327 — passed (71 yes, 0 no, 4 absent); HB 40 — passed (68 yes, 0 no, 7 absent); HB 292 — passed (69 yes, 0 no, 6 absent); HCR1 — passed (72 yes, 0 no, 3 absent).
