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Senate adopts school-zone safety resolution, adds language on crossing-location decision-making
Summary
The Senate amended and passed HCR 3 to encourage better school-zone safety measures, adding language clarifying authorities involved in determining crossing locations; senators debated which entities would fund fences and other infrastructure.
The Utah Senate amended and approved House Concurrent Resolution 3 on school-zone safety after floor debate over who should bear construction and maintenance costs for fencing and crossing infrastructure.
Sponsor Senator Fordham described the resolution’s intent to require better enforcement and physical safety measures in school zones, saying the measure aims to address child fatalities caused by speed-limit violations near schools. During questioning, Senator Steele pressed whether school districts would be responsible for financing fencing and walkways. Fordham said such construction is a joint effort: “That’s a joint effort by cities and counties and the school districts,” he said, adding that the Department of Transportation pays for certain requirements on high-speed highways and that local cooperation is anticipated for other work.
Senator Steele moved an amendment to add specificity on the role of authorities in “determining crossing locations” (page 2, line 21). After debate the body approved the amendment, briefly circled the bill for further consultation, then uncircled it and voted to pass HCR 3 (reported 28 ayes, no nays, 1 absent). The amendment clarifies the cooperative role of local jurisdictions and school districts in siting crossings and crossing-guard arrangements.
What happens next: HCR 3 was sent to the House for further action in keeping with regular interchamber procedures.
Votes recorded on floor: HCR 3 passage reported as 28 ayes, no nays, 1 absent.
