House adopts conference committee report for SB 78 protecting activities in private venues

On March 11 the Utah House adopted a conference committee report and approved second-substitute Senate Bill 78, titled “protection of constitutionally guaranteed activities in certain private venues.” The joint conference committee — which the floor identified by member names — recommended replacement language and the House agreed to adopt the committee report and move the second substitute for final passage.

The record shows Representative Oda and others explaining that the second substitute is largely identical to the previous substitute except for a discrete insertion identified as item number 6 (lines 161–172). Representative Oda said the second substitute included language requested by the business community to address concerns about closure by Homeland Security and to clarify where businesses sit in relation to federal action. Representative Voda thanked the sponsor and said stakeholders largely came together on the language.

Members asked where to find the conference committee report text on the chamber display and whether the changes were material; the sponsor pointed representatives to the second-substitute text as displayed and offered to explain the committee changes on the floor. After limited discussion the House proceeded to final passage; the second substitute passed the body 60 yes, 11 no and will be returned to the Senate for further action.

The transcript captures procedural questions about accessing the committee report and a floor explanation that the committee incorporated stakeholder-requested language to address business concerns about federal enforcement actions.