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House advances multiple bills on third reading, including food-safety and NextGen 911 updates
Summary
On Jan. 30, 2019 the Utah House passed several third-reading bills — including HB 33 (food-safety coordination), HB 52 (remote notarization), HB 60 (DFCM property process), HB 61 (NextGen 911), HB 63 (local district finances), HB 39 (independent entities), HB 50 (county classification hold) and HB 129 (campaign childcare) — and assigned numerous bills to committees.
The Utah House moved a package of third‑reading measures on Jan. 30, 2019, passing bills that address food-safety coordination with federal rules, property disposal oversight, notary modernization, database updates needed for NextGen 911, and changes affecting local special service districts.
Key outcomes
- House Bill 33, "Utah Wholesome Food Act Amendments" (Representative Stratton): Sponsor described the bill as state implementation and coordination with the federal Food Safety Modernization Act (FSMA). After floor questions, the House passed the bill. Vote: 71 yeas, 0 nays. The bill will be transmitted to the Senate.
- First substitute House Bill 52, "Remote Notarization Standards" (Representative Katy Hall): The House adopted a floor amendment requiring secure transmission and storage and passed the amended substitute. Vote: 68 yeas, 0 nays. The bill moves to the Senate; sponsor stated an effective date in November to allow administrative preparation.
- First substitute House Bill 60, "Division of Facilities Construction and Management — Property Amendments" (Representative Brooks): The bill creates processes and transparency for property change of occupancy, sale or lease and prioritizes oversight for undervalued disposals. Vote: 68 yeas, 0 nays; forwarded to Senate.
- House Bill 61, "State Databases Amendments — NextGen 911" (Representative Ray): The measure adjusts procedures so county plats and GIS data support NextGen 911’s ability to determine precise cell-phone locations for 911 calls. Representative Ray noted cost concerns for some counties but said scanning to a state system would reduce expense. Vote: 70 yeas, 0 nays; forwarded to Senate.
- House Bill 63, "Local Government Financial Amendments" (Representative Handy): The bill updates finance rules for local and special service districts, encouraging liability insurance for small districts, clarifying reserve rules and mineral lease fund treatment, including a provision on emergency reserve use. Vote: 72 yeas, 0 nays; forwarded to Senate.
- First substitute House Bill 39, "Independent Entities Compliance Amendments" (Representative Perry): The bill clarifies which independent entities must comply with GRAMA, the procurement code and the open-and-public meetings act, while maintaining some exemptions (e.g., commodity councils). Vote: 70 yeas, 0 nays; forwarded to Senate.
- House Bill 50, "County Classification Changes" (Representative Wilde): The bill places a temporary hold on counties changing classification pending further study. Vote: 69 yeas, 2 nays; forwarded to Senate.
- House Bill 129, "Campaign Amendments" (Representative Hall): The bill permits candidates to use campaign funds to pay for child care during campaign activities, described as gender neutral and intended to lower barriers to candidacy. Vote: 72 yeas, 1 nay; forwarded to Senate.
Other floor action
- House circled (held) House Bill 64 on lobbyist expenditure amendments for further drafting consideration.
What it means
Most bills passed by wide margins on voice or recorded votes and will proceed to the Utah Senate for consideration. Several items noted implementation steps or administrative tasks (for example, the lieutenant governor’s office preparing rules for remote notarization and state agencies' work to support NextGen 911). Sponsors emphasized the technical and practical nature of many measures.
The House adjourned to reconvene Friday, Feb. 1 at 11 a.m.
