Get Full Government Meeting Transcripts, Videos, & Alerts Forever!
Get email alerts on the Road Closure Amendments topic
No spam. Unsubscribe anytime.
House approves road-closure amendments after debate on access for homeless services
Summary
The House passed First Substitute House Bill 1,002, which authorizes road closures and safety zones in the Rio Grande area; supporters said closures can reduce drug-related drive-by activity, while critics warned closures, fences, or ID-card access could criminalize and restrict services for homeless people. The bill passed 71-1.
On Sept. 20, 2017, the Utah House passed First Substitute House Bill 1,002, which creates a framework for road closures or safety zones in areas such as the Rio Grande neighborhood in Salt Lake City. Representative Gibson sponsored the substitute and described the measure as a means to create safer zones around service providers and neighborhoods.
Supporters — including Representative Lisonbee, who cited her years on the Road Home board — argued closures would help stop drive-by narcotics transactions that endanger service clients and neighbors. “By closing off this road, it stops a lot of the drive by, narcotics business, which has plagued the neighborhood for far too long,” Lisonbee said.
Opponents and some service-provider advocates expressed concerns that fences or restricted access could be perceived as prison-like and could discourage people in need from using services. An unnamed representative said many in the community view fences and access cards as criminalizing the homeless and said they would vote no for that reason.
Representative Gibson and other sponsors said the bill intends to preserve access to services while giving municipalities tools to create safe spaces; debate covered the difference between temporary closures and indefinite closure options and the statutory mechanics for transferring or relinquishing public road access. After debate, First Substitute House Bill 1,002 passed the House with 71 yes votes and 1 no vote and was transmitted to the Senate for its consideration.
Lawmakers emphasized the need to balance neighborhood safety and ensuring service providers can reach vulnerable people; several speakers recommended continued engagement with service organizations during implementation.
