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Utah House narrows, then approves bill restricting covert recordings on farms after heated debate
Summary
After lengthy floor debate and multiple amendment votes, the House passed a second-substitute to HB187, which makes leaving recording devices without permission on agricultural operations a misdemeanor and narrows liability tied to trespass; supporters cited privacy and property rights, opponents warned it could criminalize whistleblowers and insiders.
The Utah House of Representatives on Feb. 24 passed a second-substitute to House Bill 187, a measure that adds criminal penalties for certain recordings on agricultural operations after a sustained floor debate and multiple amendment votes.
Sponsor Representative John Mathis (sponsor identified in transcript as Representative Mathis) told colleagues the bill targets “national propaganda groups” that place hidden cameras on farms, hold footage for months and use it to advance an anti-agriculture agenda. Mathis said the substitute establishes three levels of penalties: leaving a recording device without permission (potential class A misdemeanor), knowingly recording after receiving a notice that recording…
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