House pauses consideration of massive Title 78 recodification bill after members request time to review

The Utah House on Jan. 21 took up House Bill 78, a comprehensive recodification and revision of Title 78 of the Utah Code described by the sponsor as more than 2,000 pages of renumbering and technical cleanup. Sponsor Representative Jackie Biskupski said the bill is intended to coordinate code changes and assist bill drafters by aligning old and new section references.

An amendment containing a coordination clause was offered to make clear that if HB78 and a separate recodification of Title 63 both pass, the sections in HB78 should supersede the parallel changes in the other bill.

Several members asked for more time to read the recodification. Representative Deane, identifying himself as a first‑day member who had not had a chance to sit on the committee, asked for a short delay ‘‘maybe a day or two’’ to review a 1,200‑page recodification and the cross‑reference charts. Representative Hendrickson and others argued the bill had been vetted in committee and that delaying would hold up staff and proper drafting.

After debate, a motion to circle HB78 (a procedural motion to hold the bill for later consideration) was put to the House and the Speaker ruled the motion passed; the bill will be set aside to allow members additional review time while the chamber moves forward with other business.

What happens next: HB78 remains circled; sponsors said passing it helps coordinate drafting across numerous code sections, while supporters of delay requested a short review period. Any formal amendment adoption or further action will be scheduled when the bill is taken off the circle list.