HB328 eliminates any age requirement to hunt small game animals such as ducks or turkeys. HB329 drops the age requirement for big game hunting from 14 to 12. In either case, a child would have to pass the hunting written and shooting tests to obtain a license. The bills now head to the Senate.
- Matt Canham
Back in the time of chivalry, it was a crime to impugn the chastity of a woman.
But, as Salt Lake City Democratic Sen. Scott McCoy points out, we don't live in the time of duels anymore. And Utah's criminal defamation law is slightly outdated.
House Judiciary Committee members sent McCoy's update of the law, SB122, to the full House for debate Monday.
The legislation is meant to slice out antiquated and unconstitutional sections of the statute - including disparaging statements about a woman's sex life as well as a section that makes it illegal to give false or libelous information to a newspaper or television station.
Kearns Republican Rep. Eric Hutchings, questioned cutting the prohibition on providing false information to a reporter saying he failed to see any public benefit in allowing "people to intentionally lie to the media."
But attorneys on the committee noted that news organizations would still be liable for publishing that information.
- Rebecca Walsh
The House passed a bill Monday allowing the Division of Parks and Recreation to increase the fee to register a boat from $10 to $14.
The division expects to increase the fee to $14 this year to help pay for dock repairs on state owned land. The fee has not been increased since 1987. HB305 passed 49-22.
- Matt Canham
The House passed a bill Monday drafted in reaction to an ongoing court battle over the parental rights of a lesbian partner.
Rep. LaVar Christensen's HB148 stems from a pending Utah Supreme Court case on the visitation rights of two estranged women who decided to have a child together. The bill stops a court from awarding parental rights - such as visitation, custody rights or child support payments - against the wishes of the biological or adoptive parent.
The bill passed 54 to 20, even though some lawmakers had concerns on how the bill would affect grandparents and step-parents. All House Democrats and a single Republican voted against the bill.
- Matt Canham
A measure to stiffen the education requirements for concealed weapon instructors was approved Monday in the House Judiciary Committee.
HB350, sponsored by Rep. Curtis Oda, would require concealed firearms instructors have a National Rifle Association training certification or its equivalent and get it renewed every three years.
The bill is a "preemptive action" ensure Utah's concealed weapon permits will continue to be accepted in other states, Oda said.
The bill also would require that all the fees collected go to support the certification program.
- Glen Warchol
While state prosecutors are working to force Wanda Barzee to take her medication, lawmakers are debating legislation that would make the process simpler in future cases.
Logan Republican Rep. Scott Wyatt's HB414, approved Monday by the House Judiciary Committee, sets up an expedited process for a court hearing about involuntary medication of an incompetent defendant.
Barzee has been charged in the kidnapping of Elizabeth Smart. Since she and her partner, Brian David Mitchell, were arrested in March 2003, Barzee has refused to take medication, rendering her incompetent to stand trial. Nearly three years later, prosecutor Clark Harms said, she is simply waiting for legal time limits to expire.
"She's convinced the time's going to run out and she's going to be released," said Harms.
The legislation would not affect any defense claim of insanity at the time of the crime.
- Rebecca Walsh
Republican lawmakers Monday rejected a bill that would do away with the straight party vote option currently allowed on Utah ballots.
Sponsoring Rep. LaWanna Shurtliff, an Ogden Democrat, said taking the option away through HB231 would force voters to become more educated about candidates. Trying to assuage her Republican colleagues' fears, Shurtliff noted such a change is unlikely to change the conservative party's control of Utah politics.
But Republican members of the House Government Operations said the bill would shrink voter choice.
"I don't feel it's the right thing to do to take this opportunity away from the voter," said Rep. Craig Buttars, R-Lewiston.
- Rebecca Walsh
With debate about free enterprise and putting undue burdens on optometrists, state senators approved the "Contact Lens Consumer Protection Act" Monday.
The legislation is meant to prevent collusion between eye doctors and contact companies. But some wondered if the bill is written to benefit Utah-based 1-800 Contacts.
"We're going a whole step further because we have a large vendor. We're trying to make sure they can get their hands on every major brand," said Sen. Greg Bell, R-Fruit Heights.
The bill now goes to the House.
- Rebecca Walsh
Senators gave preliminary approval Monday to legislation that would allow home-schooled children to receive a new kind of high school diploma simply for passing two tests: the Utah Basic Skills Competency Test and the ACT college entrance exam.
Sponsoring Sen. Mark Madsen, a Lehi Republican, said he doesn't want SB204 to be used to let home-schooled children into college too early when they would require a lot of remedial classes.
Murray Democratic Sen. Patrice Arent said that's exactly what Madsen's bill might do.
"If a student isn't doing well in school, failing in citizenship, failing history, but they test well, they're going to have a diploma. I think that's wrong. A diploma should mean more."
But Republican senators lauded Madsen for "thinking outside the box" and testing what a student knows rather than how much time they spend in school.
- Rebecca Walsh
