[{"_1":2,"_99":-5,"_100":-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],{"_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",6321519,"mediaKeyId","2350231-2498b21e646dc9c60b68df3d6789003f","parentId",2350231,"title","Committee holds E‑Verify expansion after heated testimony; substitute raises employer threshold to 50","audioSeconds",398,"startMs",2247000,"endMs",2645000,"viewUrl","/Search/View?dp=1&key=2350231-2498b21e646dc9c60b68df3d6789003f&start=2247&end=2645","thumbnailUrl","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/2350231-2498b21e646dc9c60b68df3d6789003f/thumbnail_2247000.jpg","articleUrl","/articles/6321519/Utah/Committee-holds-EVerify-expansion-after-heated-testimony-substitute-raises-employer-threshold-to-50","mediaUrl","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6321519-17509a32f38ffd0508e2b16de87aa434/orig.mp4?Expires=1771166585&Signature=EgYnhLh9pPvnf00tiTedNk2W6bHWWFdMU1kpO3pegrx8wrV1TMPj~aqT5Y6f~cV-36eS6QdiHF~1qp~5wbZFwpsyGzuD0OvOiFrbSiNgiq68pNSxH7N7uNo9mWCDUV3gh7qygwaQ6M8qw-ftnThuKwWUet8EQ39xSJrxA6ZYwpZk8Q8lbhOGV8~-5m0MviTHT6UwsxRHnclXtuGcRTbDhh3AmuEQh47Q00GzgVse03yCoz8tD41LBW4Dkv1XWHn8anlGDB0U2bRvMSW56Ytu0v~aITclYthpYEIKHEpk8bjnAvA4hHTsEKXxcpsSxtyCNFlEOzt4b1P690vt32sAMw__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","author","Utah State Legislature","date","2025-02-19T00:00:00Z","article","The House Business, Labor and Commerce Committee heard extended public testimony and stakeholder debate on HB 214, the Employer Verification Amendments, and ultimately voted to hold the bill after adopting an amendment that raised the employer threshold.

Representative Walter, the bill sponsor, presented a first substitute that would return the employer‑threshold for mandatory E‑Verify participation from the current 150 employees to 15 and set an effective date for the requirement of July 1, 2026. He emphasized that the change would apply only to new hires after that effective date and would grandfather existing employees: \"No existing employees will be required to be tested under E Verify,\" the sponsor said, adding the delayed effective date gives employers and agencies time to prepare.

Public comment included agricultural, construction and business groups that said lowering the threshold would worsen existing workforce shortages and create compliance burdens. Sierra Nelson of the Utah Wool Growers Association asked for an exemption or a higher threshold for rural producers citing connectivity and paperwork burdens. Terry Camp of the Utah Farm Bureau Federation said mandatory E‑Verify would \"severely impact our ability to maintain a stable workforce\" for agriculture. Representatives of the construction industry — including the Associated Builders and Contractors and several general contractors — said prior changes to threshold levels materially affected labor availability and warned the policy would shift workers among employers without solving undocumented‑worker availability.

Supporters and individual small‑business representatives urged the committee to advance the bill as a step toward reducing identity theft and encouraging lawful hiring. Mary Anne Christiansen of Utah Legislative Watch and other proponents said E‑Verify can help protect Social Security numbers and reduce identity‑fraud risks.

The committee adopted the first substitute and then considered several amendments. Representative Peterson offered a successful substitute amendment raising the threshold from 15 to 50 (applied to two line references), a change the committee approved unanimously. After extended debate over enforceability, the committee then took a motion to hold the bill; that motion passed on a roll‑call vote, 7–6, and the bill was not forwarded with a favorable recommendation.

Committee members opposing the bill said the statute lacks enforcement mechanisms and could penalize compliant employers while leaving noncompliant actors unchecked. Representative Thurston noted that prior statutory changes produced a two‑tier compliance model and said enforcement, rather than additional mandates, should be the focus. The sponsor said he would be open to enforcement mechanisms but did not see committee appetite for adding them in this session.

The committee’s action sends the bill back for further work and leaves open the possibility of revisiting policy details, enforcement options, and threshold levels.","mediaType","Video","parentTitle","House Business, Labor, and Commerce Committee - February 19, 2025","oneSentenceSummary","After extended public testimony from farm, construction and business groups, the House Business, Labor and Commerce Committee voted to hold HB 214, a proposed tightening of E‑Verify thresholds, following substantive amendments and a close roll‑call vote.","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},6321523,"Committee approves senior care‑facility closure rules requiring transition plans and notice",1577,639000,2216000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=2350231-2498b21e646dc9c60b68df3d6789003f&start=639&end=2216","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/2350231-2498b21e646dc9c60b68df3d6789003f/thumbnail_639000.jpg","/articles/6321523/Utah/Committee-approves-senior-carefacility-closure-rules-requiring-transition-plans-and-notice","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6321523-a9a89bd0f6cc8b8db8d11345239de2da/orig.mp4?Expires=1771166585&Signature=m37MNcu9NqqeRs8fg4L9Jut3UqEIuQWw4RD2VtirQD-HIglabuYY-CF6GcBJrkFlzGWJ4q7X8Zn8ETGjXRxbWkmGy0mC4qFSHh3fdOKHZRx0U9seHk0TEWKtLsD0iFO7ngbjElej8gq4~P4CHpn0OoFSRYbOzZpFGV3nX6pmKm8zpT38CsZh5LCgJjQJkUqy6vAV~vF~ACzzjCIT3MRK5Tdn1TwuibiJXO~IjvvdpuIoaFiZUG9XAukBSjiZMMadOgYY~XYm5UiXqkgpZzoMDqhqDDkLtZaSUPORC1pfSfgKkmsa85X~0zTYkEtg4nE4TOjtAaExcMQelWe-Xew99w__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","The House Business, Labor and Commerce Committee favorably recommended HB 472 (first substitute, as amended), which seeks to require assisted-living facilities to submit a transition plan to the health department ahead of an intended closure, qualifying sale or change of use and to provide residents with earlier notice and relocation assistance.

Representative Ochs, the bill sponsor, said the bill responds to incidents in which residents were moved out with little advance notice after selecting a new facility. \"This bill seeks to ensure that vulnerable residents in these facilities are given proper care, adequate time for transition, and the necessary protections as facilities go through significant changes,\" Ochs said, describing stakeholder discussions with the Utah Healthcare Association and other trade groups.

Under the first substitute as amended in committee, facilities would submit a proposed transition plan to the state health department 120 days before an intended closure, sale or change of use; that plan must identify residents and their care needs, list options within a 60‑mile radius and provide a timetable for transfer and discharge. Facilities must provide notice to residents 60 days before closure and may not accept new residents after the approved plan is filed. The amended language also shortens certain notice windows in the substitute: committee amendment changed the resident‑notice period from 60 to 45 days in one subsection and reduced a 90‑day rate‑freeze period to 60 days for certain continuation sales.

Stakeholders representing assisted‑living operators told the committee they support the bill’s consumer‑protection goals but expressed concerns about unintended operational consequences, particularly staff attrition after premature public notice of an impending closure. Steve Hyatt of the Utah Assisted Living Association said some facilities prefer shorter notice to avoid staff departures that could leave residents without care. \"If we announce a closure at the 30‑day mark, we may lose the cook. We may lose the nurse … and if we lose that, we can't care for our residents,\" Bobby Ginn, a board member of the Utah Assisted Living Association, told the committee.

Allison Spangler, CEO of the Utah Healthcare Association, said trade groups are close to agreement on timing and appreciate the sponsor's willingness to continue negotiating language. \"We really appreciate what this bill is trying to do, which is providing transparency around the sale and closure of an assisted living facility,\" Spangler said.

Representative Burton moved, and the committee adopted, the first substitute and a subsequent amendment that adjusted timing from the initial draft (changing the 60‑day and 90‑day provisions to 45 and 60 as amended). Representative Peterson moved passage with a favorable recommendation. The committee took a roll‑call vote on the final motion; the chair announced the bill passed unanimously and will proceed to the House floor.

The sponsor said she will continue stakeholder discussions as the bill moves forward.","The committee favorably recommended HB 472 (first substitute, as amended), which requires assisted‑living facilities to submit an approved transition plan before an intended closure, sale or change of use and to provide residents with earlier notice and assistance in relocation.",{"_33":89,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":90,"_41":91,"_43":92,"_45":92,"_47":93,"_49":94,"_51":95,"_53":96,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":97,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":98,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":72,"_73":74,"_75":74},6321528,"Committee advances landlord-tenant bill that allows electronic deposit returns and tightens court guidance",0,2806000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=2350231-2498b21e646dc9c60b68df3d6789003f&start=2806&end=2806","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/2350231-2498b21e646dc9c60b68df3d6789003f/thumbnail_2806000.jpg","/articles/6321528/Utah/Committee-advances-landlord-tenant-bill-that-allows-electronic-deposit-returns-and-tightens-court-guidance","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6321528-9cce4c1067a57dec5e4ceeaf0739752f/orig.mp4?Expires=1771166585&Signature=oPJVLG8ggA-MrqMqne-uPy0-2Vt-3UEp8Er1u5T62iomW3q0wycMq2-HvATEk1CLoaXTSs-mTaPyGMwSNg8MNLSwT55MmRDpERe4WIC6xZmEaKRJLza8EMQAzBUg~fsrBYNsQSBC-MZUu9WLdge2dxNJNR8c1KoHiCp~dY1ykAbfMWKTiH2SU1Zv-4cywFADeM3ktlf~1ZL1BcVINZonP3w4VaBKbzIiXjdYlX7yjy9DNyGqv5yNHixx375eSx26IT-0cH2e0ngKPw8R-N0YW1fkyRiDGSamwkWOQJ2JviTitJpmDEJDHZ1bixwL7uqletUw5MfKhTxv0FzRhzuWaw__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","The House Business, Labor and Commerce Committee on Wednesday favorably recommended HB 480, the Landlord Communication Amendments, after hearing sponsor remarks and testimony from a tenant‑landlord attorney.

Representative Shallenberger, the bill sponsor, said the measure updates existing code to reflect current practices and to provide clearer guidance to judges handling eviction and restitution matters. The bill allows deposit returns to be delivered electronically when the tenant has provided an electronic address, standardizes the post-eviction timeline to three days unless the parties agree otherwise, and removes redundant language that gives judges broad discretion to handle additional matters.

The bill’s sponsor told the committee that current statute requires deposit returns to be mailed and that many landlords now use electronic payment and refund methods. \"It just says it has to be mailed. A lot of people are sending electronically, so we're just adding in some language as payments can be made electronically,\" Representative Shallenberger said.

Attorney Nick Lloyd, who testified in support, described inconsistent application of the statute across counties and judges. \"One of the hallmarks of our legal system is consistent application of the law,\" Lloyd said. He gave examples from his eviction practice in which judges granted tenants longer vacancy periods than the statute's three-day baseline, and said the bill would reduce that inconsistency by narrowing the exception language that has expanded in some courts.

Committee member Representative Sawyer asked a clarifying question about whether the electronic-delivery option applies to eviction notices or only to deposit returns; the sponsor and witness confirmed the electronic option is limited to deposit refunds when the tenant has provided an electronic address. \"There is language in here that says, provided electronically by a manner provided by the tenant,\" Lloyd said. \"So that has to be an email address that the tenant has given to the landlord in order to open up that avenue.\"

The committee adopted a technical substitute amendment by voice vote and then adopted the amended bill by voice vote. Representative Sawyer moved the amendment and later moved the favorable recommendation; the committee chair announced the bill passes after the voice vote.

The bill now moves forward as amended.","The House Business, Labor and Commerce Committee favorably recommended HB 480, Landlord Communication Amendments, after a short presentation and testimony. The bill adds electronic delivery for security-deposit returns, clarifies a judge’s timeline discretion and removes redundant court-direction language.","actionData","errors"]

Article not found

Committee holds E‑Verify expansion after heated testimony; substitute raises employer threshold to 50

Committee approves senior care‑facility closure rules requiring transition plans and notice

Committee advances landlord-tenant bill that allows electronic deposit returns and tightens court guidance