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Votes at a glance: key House floor actions Feb. 24, 2012
Summary
The House passed multiple bills Feb. 24, 2012, including HB144 (health reform, 71–0), HB76 (PBM audit standards, 69–1), HB153 (water diversion/exchange, 71–0), HB405 (jury service age exemption, 65–4), HB107 (joint custody modifications, 59–11), HB266 (driver education concurrence, 67–1) and HB187 (agricultural recording restrictions, 60–14); bills will be transmitted to the Senate as noted.
The Utah House recorded a number of final actions on Feb. 24. Key roll-call outcomes and short descriptions follow.
• HB144 — Health system reform (second substitute): Passed 71–0. Authorizes data-sharing for risk adjustment between the all-payer claims database and the Utah Health Exchange, simplifies Medicaid enrollment processes, authorizes a privately funded actuarial analysis of a basic health plan (no state funds), adjusts CHIP dental benchmarks, and reauthorizes the health system reform task force. (Speaker: Representative Dunnegan)
• HB76 — Pharmacy audit standards (second substitute): Passed 69–1. Establishes best-practice standards for audits by pharmacy benefit managers, excludes federally funded programs (Medicaid/Medicare), and preserves exceptions when probable fraud is suspected. (Speaker: Representative Vickers)
• HB153 — Diversion/exchange of water rights: Passed 71–0. Creates an expedited reinstatement process for small exchange applications to restore lapsed water rights in narrowly defined circumstances; sponsor cited about 5,000 potential cases statewide. (Speaker: Representative Briscoe)
• HB405 — Jury service amendments: Passed 65–4. Allows persons aged 75 or older to opt out of jury service based on age without medical documentation (optional exemption). (Speaker: Representative Watkins)
• HB107 — Joint custody modifications (first substitute): Passed 59–11. Clarifies and strengthens a rebuttable presumption in favor of joint legal custody, requires parenting plans, and lists factors that can rebut the presumption such as domestic violence and significant distance. (Speaker: Representative Freire)
• HB266 — Driver education amendments (concurrence with Senate amendments): House concurred; final passage reported as 67–1. Amendment allows 19-year-olds to rely on 40 hours of behind-the-wheel experience instead of a driver's ed course, with related permit-holder provisions. (Speaker: Representative DAW)
• HB187 — Agricultural operation interference (second substitute): Passed 60–14. Establishes misdemeanor penalties for leaving recording devices without permission on agricultural operations, for knowingly recording after being told not to, and for recording while committing criminal trespass; generated extended debate over whistleblower protections and scope. (Speaker: Representative Mathis)
All bills that passed the House will be transmitted to the Senate for its consideration or signature, as indicated on the floor.
