Utah House passes bill to repeal 2011's House Bill 477; sends HB 1001 to Senate

The Utah House of Representatives on the floor of a special session passed House Bill 1,001, a measure the sponsor described as repealing House Bill 477 from the 2011 Annual General Session. The clerk reported the final tally as 60 yes votes and 3 no votes; the House will transmit the measure to the Senate for its consideration.

Representative Dougal introduced the measure on the third-reading calendar, describing it as 'the repeal of House Bill 4 77 from the 20 11 Annual General Session.' Representative Lipback, speaking in favor of the repeal, told colleagues that she 'firmly believe[s] that repealing House Bill 4 77 straight up is the right thing to do,' and said a working group could move forward more honestly without the earlier bill 'hanging over everyone's head.'

Representative Guy, citing constituent outreach and public comment, said he had spoken with residents and that many had urged repeal. 'I will vote for this bill,' he told the chamber during debate. Members also noted the special session had been called by the governor and that the House had earlier moved the bill from the calendar by voting to 'uncircle' it so it could be considered.

Before debate, the House authorized the Speaker to appoint a committee to notify the Senate that the House was organized; the Speaker named Representative Julie Fischer, Representative Derek Brown and Representative Tim Cosgrove to that committee. After the vote on HB 1,001, Fischer reported the committee had waited on the Senate and informed that body the House was organized and ready to do business and had already acted.

The House then voted to take a 15-minute recess ('saunter'). The bill will move next to the Senate, which will consider HB 1,001 in its chamber.