House approves batch of bills on water, trust lands, public safety and business rules

The Utah House of Representatives on Feb. 6–7, 2018 approved a series of bills ranging from water‑management fixes to technical business‑code changes.

Representative Chu, the sponsor for House Bill 60, described HB 60 as a fix to problems that arose after water commissioners were made state employees and said the bill restores practical authorities — including limited use of personal vehicles and phones — so commissioners can carry out water distribution during drought. “These water commissioners do an excellent job of seeing that the water gets distributed properly,” Representative Chu said during floor remarks. The House recorded HB 60 as having received 63 yes votes and 9 no votes; the measure will be transmitted to the Senate.

First substitute House Bill 253 (Trust Lands Amendments) was uncircled and presented with cleanup provisions intended to add a statutory exception, avoid listing species that would impede land sales, and change requirements for purchasers who acquired land under contract. The sponsor on the floor said the changes address legacy requirements such as the production of an original certificate. The House voted to pass the first substitute HB 253 with a recorded tally of 70 yes and 0 no; it was placed on the third‑reading calendar for the Senate.

Several senate bills were read and sent back to the Senate for signature after brief sponsor presentations. Notable items included first substitute Senate Bill 21 (public safety and firefighter retirement death benefit amendments), described as a technical fix to align retirement provisions for police officers and firefighters and estimated to affect about 1,000–2,000 members; Senate Bill 15 (Environmental Health Scientist Act amendments), which adjusts licensure and extends a sunset date to 2028 at the request of the Department of Health; and Senate Bill 39 (business entity amendments), which changes a statutory reference from a “certificate of good standing” to a “certificate of existence.” Where recorded, these measures passed by voice vote or unanimous recorded tallies and were returned to the Senate for its signature.

Procedural items included adoption of several standing committee reports and rules committee assignments for a batch of bills. The House recessed at the close of the afternoon calendar.

Votes at a glance (recorded tallies where provided): HB 60 — 63 yes, 9 no (passes); first substitute HB 253 — 70 yes, 0 no (passes); SB 39 — 68 yes, 0 no (passes); other measures passed by voice vote or unanimous consent as recorded on the floor.