Utah House adopts wide package of Senate concurrence items and third‑reading bills

The Utah House of Representatives spent its March 5 floor session considering a lengthy third‑reading calendar and several Senate‑substituted House bills, ultimately passing a package of measures that will return to the Senate or move on for further consideration.

The session opened with Senate communications and a series of concurrence votes. The House concurred with Senate amendments to substitute House Bill 48, a criminal and juvenile justice bill that Representative Lisenby said "adds some factors that a judge has to consider or the board of pardons has to consider" when altering housing arrangements for an incarcerated person age 18; the bill passed final passage 52–15 and was returned to the Senate.

Lawmakers also concurred with amendments to substitute House Bill 68 (housing and community development), moving an effective date from July 1 to May 6; the motion passed and the bill cleared the House 54–10. Representative Eliason asked the body to concur with Senate changes to House Bill 71 (health provider directory and access), saying sponsors had worked with stakeholders and addressed the fiscal note; that bill passed final passage 63–3. A third substitute for House Bill 76…