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Utah House advances bills on tribal liaison, drug‑data research, newborn screening, utilities and net metering
Summary
During the Feb. 7, 2013 floor session the House passed a series of bills ranging from Native American liaison amendments to measures authorizing de‑identified prescription data for research and a pilot newborn screening program; several technical rule and committee reports were also adopted.
The Utah House of Representatives completed a packed floor session on Feb. 7, 2013, passing bills on Native American liaison matters, public‑health research, newborn screening, utility siting, net metering and several criminal‑law clarifications.
Representative Draxler presented HB252 (Native American Indian related amendments), proposing a clarifying amendment to correct tribal names and explain responsibilities of the Indian Tribal Nation Council and the Native American Remains Review Committee; he said the bill carries an $8,400 fiscal note for an additional meeting. The House approved the amendment and passed HB252 72–0.
Representative Menlove described HB270, which authorizes the Department of Health to share de‑identified prescription monitoring data with qualified research institutions subject to institutional review protections. Menlove said the de‑identification conforms to HIPAA principles and university IRBs provide an added safeguard. The House passed the measure.
Representative Ray introduced HB276, which creates a one‑year pilot to add pulse‑oximetry screening for newborns to detect critical congenital heart defects and to establish altitude‑adjusted saturation thresholds for Utah (roughly 5,000 feet). He framed the pilot as necessary because prior national studies were performed at sea level; the bill passed with members debating timing and effectiveness.
Energy and utilities measures advanced. Representative Stanton explained an amendment to HB284 to allow a 12‑month net metering billing cycle option, intended to help irrigators and farmers who build credits late in the irrigation season; Representative Sagers summarized HB60 changes to utility facility siting timelines and clarified the bill does not waive local planning requirements. Both bills passed.
On criminal and traffic matters, the House passed HB87 to align attempted aggravated murder language with penalties for aggravated kidnapping and HB27 to clarify terrorism‑related penalties. Representative Jeremy Peterson also sponsored HB93, a change to prevent officers from issuing immediate on‑scene citations in collisions with fatality or major injury when suspects or victims are absent so prosecuting attorneys can screen for aggravating circumstances; HB93 passed.
The House adopted multiple committee reports placing numerous bills on calendars and consent calendars, and the Rules Committee and other chairs presented routine recommendations before the body adjourned until Feb. 8.
Votes at a glance: HB252 (72–0), HB87 (70–1), SJR1 (71–0), HB270 (72–0), HB276 (70–4), HB60 (75–0), HB49 (71–0), HB284 (71–0), HB27 (71–0), HB93 (73–0). Several other bills were read for second reading or placed on consent calendars via committee reports.
The House adjourned at the end of the session and will reconvene on Feb. 8, 2013.
