[{"_1":2,"_124":-5,"_125":-5},"loaderData",{"_3":4,"_26":27},"root",{"_5":6,"_17":10,"_18":19,"_20":21,"_22":10,"_23":-5,"_24":-5,"_25":10},"user",{"_7":8,"_9":10,"_11":10,"_12":-5,"_13":-5,"_14":15,"_16":-5},"roles",[],"isAuthenticated",false,"isPremium","planName","subscriptionStatus","featureFlags",{},"insightsBudget","isDevelopmentHost","userPreferences",{},"recaptchaSiteKey","6LcvOJcUAAAAAHsB-gPGfGktcRlKpH7OTIU_dMTD","isImpersonating","impersonation","affiliateStatus","isFreedomPortal","routes/v2/article/layout",{"_28":29,"_30":31},"notFound",true,"relatedArticles",[32,76,88,100,112],{"_33":34,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":40,"_41":42,"_43":44,"_45":46,"_47":48,"_49":50,"_51":52,"_53":54,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":60,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":66,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":72,"_73":74,"_75":74},"mediaId",6328423,"mediaKeyId","2320192-687876b4fa3e707ce7b56c134d77a4b1","parentId",2320192,"title","Committee advances corrections bill tightening records rules, expanding tablet use and execution options","audioSeconds",617,"startMs",65000,"endMs",682000,"viewUrl","/Search/View?dp=1&key=2320192-687876b4fa3e707ce7b56c134d77a4b1&start=65&end=682","thumbnailUrl","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/2320192-687876b4fa3e707ce7b56c134d77a4b1/thumbnail_65000.jpg","articleUrl","/articles/6328423/Utah/Committee-advances-corrections-bill-tightening-records-rules-expanding-tablet-use-and-execution-options","mediaUrl","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6328423-1bcff4531ecf5615558a9d2dd62d51d7/orig.mp4?Expires=1771158084&Signature=gE6t1LE1k~mNAOVks9bXvqQosFy78tcRp~-07ooEpgWh0mHk0bN2PWjvnselTqqkR7kuiC-zdkQZ8SXoKXFqMIzoSjHcjLL7AlyaBF1HVgwiH6QrpLgWSsIgIHoDGCalENDzay412mf4G7FXyNlLwec8AEEn~IdKCkk5aphJuVQZdfY~AVtCWPBAtTRdtY~nka5BH6VwRzFbXW2iC98zfrtDl~9ePOwBhsnTwZMnlsiLCHPrPvPz~fg2ClmEWuBXfmqlTOZKsKvYCvVlw2zsNdvCCDWxVFkfiWoz926Gohb19zzyGbJ5hUaYMvGaPhcZHC1ZlnmznvOb1BeJ90xPWg__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","author","Utah State Legislature","date","2025-02-14T00:00:00Z","article","Sen. Mike Owens, sponsor of Senate Bill 74, told the Government Operations Committee on Feb. 14 that the measure makes five technical and operational changes at the Utah Department of Corrections (DOC), and the committee voted unanimously to advance the bill out of committee with a favorable recommendation.

The bill clarifies that courts may be prohibited from granting petitions to change an individual's name or gender marker on a birth certificate when the petitioner is an offender and the court finds criminal intent tied to the record, and it extends that prohibition to people on probation or parole. It also grants DOC limited authority to conduct criminal investigations and to refer findings to other agencies; allows revenue from offenders' use of department electronic devices (tablets and phones) to be used to pay for education and programming; and broadens the statutory options for drugs that may be used in lethal intravenous injection when previously available drugs cannot be obtained.

The measure is coded as a second substitute with a Senate amendment added in committee to make the probation-and-parole language consistent across statutes. Sen. Owens said the tablet program supports continuing education when inmates transfer between county jails and state prisons and estimated the fiscal note for devices at roughly $1.7 million, saying he did not have the exact figure available in committee. The committee record shows the amendment adding probation and parole came in the Senate amendment (lines referenced in committee materials as lines 46–48).

Representative Pucci moved to adopt the first amendment to the second substitute; the committee adopted the amendment by voice vote. Representative Pucci later moved that the committee pass the second substitute, as amended, out of committee with a favorable recommendation; the committee approved the motion by voice vote, with no recorded opposition.

Committee members asked for clarification about the lethal-injection language and the origin of funds for tablets. Sen. Owens and committee members characterized the changes as technical cleanups and operational updates that DOC has requested as it modernizes tools and procedures.

The committee did not receive public testimony on SB 74 in the hearing and completed action on the item in one session. The bill now proceeds with a favorable committee recommendation toward consideration by the full chamber.

Details recorded in committee minutes and the sponsor's presentation were limited to the points above; exact fiscal-note figures and the final statutory line numbers will be available in the bill packet distributed by the Office of Legislative Research and General Counsel.","mediaType","Video","parentTitle","House Government Operations Committee - February 14, 2025","oneSentenceSummary","Sen. Mike Owens told the Government Operations Committee on Feb. 14 that Senate Bill 74 makes technical and operational changes at the Department of Corrections; the committee voted unanimously to advance the bill with a favorable recommendation.","taxTitle","2025 Utah Legislature, Utah Legislature, Utah Legislative Branch, Utah","taxId",78171,"location","Utah","headline","","shortSummary",{"_33":77,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":78,"_41":79,"_43":80,"_45":81,"_47":82,"_49":83,"_51":84,"_53":85,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":86,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":87,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":72,"_73":74,"_75":74},6328403,"Committee clears National Guard bill clarifying adjutant general appointment, armory rules and student‑loan aid",390,4466000,4856000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=2320192-687876b4fa3e707ce7b56c134d77a4b1&start=4466&end=4856","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/2320192-687876b4fa3e707ce7b56c134d77a4b1/thumbnail_4466000.jpg","/articles/6328403/Utah/Committee-clears-National-Guard-bill-clarifying-adjutant-general-appointment-armory-rules-and-studentloan-aid","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6328403-4db2819f97994a437c93f6251d474236/orig.mp4?Expires=1771158084&Signature=cmnmx51r0Vv8qnMmozdwWo~onSncpVOT--LmKOBUhTvCYVgCRVjFkivTHmTOt72uG4EwULvim138WfvcoLTSCfp3208qf1a99BUOf0y5u-4Oba1dlGanqTKQSWXQLgHHPpJVnm7BXYy561vfkHGXxDkurZ5kGdXxWdLJdClgzPn2ZNEZpeDERHj-41NgfHaUlsvRd5F6ouBxnqgrVkD6S~z1-xWtputllpY~AuIgqlVvmL9IAv2JlTrWnP~GT1NsPmBGsFKeo-FwQiveZ1PMXTYvNecXrlb2gFxVkINnIRPdMsAP5HVQoCBX-gAO2TGbTMJ92VyzskTfLLN~Svz8cA__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","Representative (sponsor) presented the first substitute to House Bill 376 on Feb. 14, describing the measure as a cleanup and narrowing of a previously broader package. The committee adopted the first substitute and voted to recommend the bill favorably.

Key provisions retained in the first substitute include: making the adjutant general's appointment and removal procedure consistent with the Director of Public Safety (a four‑year appointment in off‑election years, reporting to the governor); defining an armory board and clarifying how armories are acquired and become state real property (noting that armories are commonly financed roughly 75 percent by federal funds and 25 percent by state funds); allowing the adjutant general limited authority to use a portion of tuition assistance funds for student‑loan repayment (the sponsor said $7,000–$10,000 can be enough to recruit certain medical personnel); clarifying appointment and role of judge advocates (attorneys in military justice matters); and requiring use‑of‑force briefings tailored to the type of order Guardsmen are on.

Sponsor remarks emphasized the operational nature of the bill, and staff said contracting flexibility in emergency procurement had already been addressed in administrative rule so statutory language was removed. The committee adopted the first substitute by voice vote and then passed the bill favorably; no public opposition surfaced at the hearing.","First substitute House Bill 376 makes governance changes for the Utah National Guard including appointment/removal language for the adjutant general, armory‑board provisions, limited student‑loan repayment authority, and use‑of‑force briefings; committee adopted the first substitute and recommended the bill favorably.",{"_33":89,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":90,"_41":91,"_43":92,"_45":93,"_47":94,"_49":95,"_51":96,"_53":97,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":98,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":99,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":72,"_73":74,"_75":74},6328408,"Committee approves publishing certified petition signers; strips voter‑ID numbers after clerk concerns",807,3575000,4382000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=2320192-687876b4fa3e707ce7b56c134d77a4b1&start=3575&end=4382","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/2320192-687876b4fa3e707ce7b56c134d77a4b1/thumbnail_3575000.jpg","/articles/6328408/Utah/Committee-approves-publishing-certified-petition-signers-strips-voterID-numbers-after-clerk-concerns","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6328408-331413efda8c2f68b654d076f064a4af/orig.mp4?Expires=1771158084&Signature=ZFESofRRvwVmU-2WRk5tIvJJdiDAl85GHWRVwQg0QQiZyoPhvgsCEG-uO-wXeRlMXKDfcLXy3nUg~5b~sX7589gzyPtrmUecRW9pLbIjfukIyfVhtU4VenWivQyNvpZiN4ICQMPNNOgw4P5VRfGdlBHEokjh0bs0a5mxPTIdRgae0eiKLaxoz2Bu3AJgtip-2wpCtAn0PZPw8RBoXY~0DtTR2pXDxJ9WJC3WQJcVbSKiPucYOeayyhivokh0wdKzJFHgJ1K9lhnQVY6aVcCpU3kYIAffX0kKo1UQzsnMWdKTpPHGIg6pFgvSvERiYA64DThQBhNsE6-pd8Fu~jmscA__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","Representative Kohler told the Government Operations Committee on Feb. 14 that House Bill 374 is intended to increase transparency by requiring the lieutenant governor to publish the names of people who signed certain certified petitions (including primary‑election signature filings) on the lieutenant governor's website for 90 days after certification.

Committee members questioned whether publishing a voter‑identification number alongside a signer’s name could create privacy risks or enable identification of voters who had requested protected status. Weber County Clerk Ricky Hatch urged transparency in signature‑gathering but cautioned that publishing voter‑identification numbers might allow someone with older voter lists to identify an at‑risk voter whose information should be withheld. Hatch said clerks preferred Senate Bill 164 (sponsor Rep. Cutler on the floor) as a vehicle for a broader set of audit and transparency reforms because it implements several legislative‑audit recommendations.

Representative Feffler moved to strip the words “voter identification number” from multiple lines in the bill; the amendment passed unanimously. The committee then voted to pass the bill favorably as amended. The final committee tally was recorded as 10 in favor and 2 opposed (Representatives Hayes and Romero recorded as opposed).

Marilyn Mominee and other public commenters supported transparency in signature reporting; supporters argued voters take a public act when signing a petition and that publication increases public confidence. Opponents cautioned about harassment risks when names are posted and asked for safeguards for at‑risk voters.

With the amendment removing voter‑identification numbers, Representative Kohler said he would consider further technical amendments on the floor; the bill now moves forward to the next stage with a committee recommendation.","House Bill 374 would require certified petition signatures to be published on the lieutenant governor's website for 90 days; the committee adopted an amendment removing voter‑identification numbers and advanced the bill 10–2.",{"_33":101,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":102,"_41":103,"_43":104,"_45":105,"_47":106,"_49":107,"_51":108,"_53":109,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":110,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":111,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":72,"_73":74,"_75":74},6328413,"Panel backs bill letting wildlife offices hand out voter‑registration information at license sales",547,3010000,3557000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=2320192-687876b4fa3e707ce7b56c134d77a4b1&start=3010&end=3557","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/2320192-687876b4fa3e707ce7b56c134d77a4b1/thumbnail_3010000.jpg","/articles/6328413/Utah/Panel-backs-bill-letting-wildlife-offices-hand-out-voterregistration-information-at-license-sales","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6328413-493b1e3373313264c9d476b36825cb3c/orig.mp4?Expires=1771158084&Signature=eelUgd5JpPcaZkkfNotHeeExe6KRzBWg77Kjb1mQ6l5cJNFe2FRbnO5VIarJ56S7RVIKh5pqOCfdEXdlLTfDmFqbllrGIQzal1maaLzqASpb~PTANBSoPZpb6D-kssY5oaQiVDoNPAeNcJZg6bG5oTiY-j6nsHzuWAX7TAEkvInZjhwWDVyBl1JWXIQYDe8aPB~4~IooGrniYD3Ax3p-7yQ6qb8V7n14pVqtpyDe5xmwNmth1WvOaWGOrgmSP~u3ot-NIO5BOD6GV4i-zZsDgM3UNcTTSz0FqSw3xSbtU8zQqcDU97wxFArCQyH6IRPgCOL64qjQg8q0Fh173xUXRw__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","Sponsor testimony and committee discussion on Feb. 14 described House Bill 423 as a narrow measure to expand opportunities for voter registration by allowing sellers of hunting and fishing licenses to provide applicants with voter‑registration information and printed materials.

The sponsor said the substitute limits the role of the Division of Wildlife Resources to supplying materials and information rather than collecting or holding private voter‑registration data; the privacy office advised that the division should not retain registration forms or personal data. Committee members noted that other state agencies already provide voter‑registration information (for example, the Division of Motor Vehicles and the Department of Workforce Services) and asked whether statistics exist for the number of license purchasers who are not registered to vote; the sponsor said statewide figures were not available at the hearing.

Weber County Clerk Ricky Hatch testified to clerks' general support for the concept, saying the substitute appeared more permissive and included protections around voter‑registration forms; he said clerks had not taken a formal position on the substitute because the clerks' committee had not met but that he did not anticipate opposition. Marilyn Mominee (commenter) later confirmed the substitute addressed privacy concerns she had raised.

The committee adopted the first substitute by voice vote and then voted unanimously to send first substitute HB 423 out of committee with a favorable recommendation.","First substitute for House Bill 423 would authorize wildlife licensing outlets to provide voter registration materials and information; committee adopted the substitute and recommended the bill favorably by voice vote.",{"_33":113,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":114,"_41":115,"_43":116,"_45":117,"_47":118,"_49":119,"_51":120,"_53":121,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":122,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":123,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":72,"_73":74,"_75":74},6328418,"Committee holds bill to ban salary‑history inquiries for state executive‑branch hiring",2280,716000,2996000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=2320192-687876b4fa3e707ce7b56c134d77a4b1&start=716&end=2996","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/2320192-687876b4fa3e707ce7b56c134d77a4b1/thumbnail_716000.jpg","/articles/6328418/Utah/Committee-holds-bill-to-ban-salaryhistory-inquiries-for-state-executivebranch-hiring","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6328418-27d95b83eae078e557cac16869e4edd4/orig.mp4?Expires=1771158084&Signature=BQQb8PrP~s~jm-l~mowh0bZgJGifbAXNuP1FJOV~uOZoVzjnD17Y2L4obAtOe7-cCO4gYDFCNbNnEwffV2sWAMhF2v5QGbOLaWnt2p-bFIS4pZFtBdhO86ZLBumVli9WW9emTqMbPj23GpJJGEB2Pgapqbo8m7Pzh2pMZnRqZlbPZdcjBHlQxRy8sKi8EJRQDg-GjZnZxOx8FNkpExM7J64LJM42WEtnQbuM8si4rgAj3XlDLIADyYQbOAAH5AUq4QLEy6KZXdjeVkwDj6FOab-27BIdl8uFMji2XXeljYPSzh98iOVtrntYL79juMx27QHvwXs8hSJAeOme3AW1Zg__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","Representative Bennion presented House Bill 180 on Feb. 14, saying the measure would codify a skills‑based hiring approach for the executive branch by prohibiting state executive‑branch employers from asking job applicants to disclose compensation history.

Jean Mills Barber of the Division of Human Resource Management (DHRM) told the committee that DHRM already conducts market surveys to set minimum and maximum salary ranges for state jobs and that executive‑branch hiring officials generally assess applicants based on skills, competencies and the market ranges rather than prior pay. Barber said approximately 22 states have laws restricting compensation‑history inquiries and cited California, Colorado and Nevada as examples with differing scopes.

The bill as drafted would apply to executive‑branch agencies but specifically carves out multiple entities, including higher education, the state board of education, local education agencies, the attorney general's office, the legislature, the auditor's office, the treasurer's office, the public service commission and other independent entities. Sponsors and committee members asked for more background on why those entities were exempted; Representative Bennion said he would follow up with committee members.

Members raised concerns about whether the bill would hamper hiring managers' ability to control costs or to value individual candidates with disparate prior pay; DHRM staff said the state already posts salary ranges and relies on budget constraints and market data when hiring. Public testimony was largely supportive: Blake (Utah Public Employee Association), Cynthia Washington (private-sector entrepreneur), Abby Hunsaker (Governor's Office of Economic Opportunity) and James Taggart (Ogden‑Weber Technical College) all urged committee support, saying skills‑based hiring improves equity and retention. Marilyn Mominee, a human‑resources executive in private industry, said the salary data point can be useful and questioned whether legislation was necessary for executive practice already in place.

Representative Romero moved to hold HB 180 temporarily to gather additional background information; the motion carried on a voice vote and the bill was held for further review. The sponsor agreed to return with answers about the carve‑outs and other clarifications.","House Bill 180 would prohibit executive branch state employers from asking applicants for past compensation; committee held the bill to seek more information about exemptions and equity language.","actionData","errors"]

Article not found

Committee advances corrections bill tightening records rules, expanding tablet use and execution options

Committee clears National Guard bill clarifying adjutant general appointment, armory rules and student‑loan aid

Committee approves publishing certified petition signers; strips voter‑ID numbers after clerk concerns

Panel backs bill letting wildlife offices hand out voter‑registration information at license sales

Committee holds bill to ban salary‑history inquiries for state executive‑branch hiring