Get Full Government Meeting Transcripts, Videos, & Alerts Forever!
Committee backs SB 72 to clarify law on obscene animal‑abuse material, add 'animal crushing' definition
Summary
The House Natural Resources, Agriculture and Environment Standing Committee voted to recommend Senate Bill 72, which clarifies Utah code on "obscene animal abuse material," explicitly adds "animal crushing" to the definition and confirms existing penalties apply; sponsors said the bill targets production and distribution, not literary works or routine husbandry.
Senate Bill 72, introduced in committee Feb. 25 by Senator Vickers, received a favorable recommendation after debate over how the measure would treat literary works and ordinary animal‑husbandry practices.
Senator Vickers, sponsor of the bill, told the committee the measure "brings clarity to our code" by defining obscene animal abuse material and adding "animal crushing" to the statutory definition. He said the bill is aimed at production and distribution of exploitative material, and that "those penalties are not new and they're not enhanced" — the bill clarifies existing law rather…
Already have an account? Log in
Subscribe to keep reading
Unlock the rest of this article — and every article on Citizen Portal.
- Unlimited articles
- AI-powered breakdowns of topics, speakers, decisions, and budgets
- Instant alerts when your location has a new meeting
- Follow topics and more locations
- 1,000 AI Insights / month, plus AI Chat
