MINUTES OF THE
HOUSE TRANSPORTATION STANDING COMMITTEE
Wednesday, January 24, 2024 • 2:00 p.m. • 445 State Capitol


Members Present:
Rep. Kay J. Christofferson, Chair
Rep. Douglas R. Welton, Vice Chair
Rep. Nelson T. Abbott
Rep. Ariel Defay
Rep. Brett Garner
Rep. Ken Ivory
Rep. Dan N. Johnson
Rep. Ashlee Matthews
Rep. Karen M. Peterson
Rep. Susan Pulsipher
Rep. Jeffrey D. Stenquist
Rep. Raymond P. Ward

Staff Present:
Rachel Brooks, Policy Analyst
Reese Boardman, Committee Secretary

Note: A copy of related materials and an audio recording of the meeting can be found at www.le.utah.gov.
Chair Christofferson called the meeting to order.
MOTION:Rep. Johnson moved to approve the minutes.The motion passed with a vote of 9-0-3.
Yeas - 9Nays- 0Abs- 3
Rep. K. Christofferson
Rep. A. Defay
Rep. B. Garner
Rep. D. Johnson
Rep. A. Matthews
Rep. K. Peterson
Rep. S. Pulsipher
Rep. J. Stenquist
Rep. D. Welton
Rep. N. Abbott
Rep. K. Ivory
Rep. R. Ward
1.H.B. 109 Safe School Route Evaluations (Ballard, M.G.)
Rep. Ballard presented the bill.
Leif Elder, Director Legislative Affairs, UDOT, spoke to the bill.
Rachel Terry, Director, Utah Division of Risk Management, spoke in favor of the bill.
Liam Thrailkill, Policy Analyst, Utah League of Cities & Towns, spoke to the bill.
Sheri Mattle, Safety Commissioner, Utah PTA, spoke in favor of the bill.
Martin Muhoz, Kids Count Director, Voices for Utah's Children, spoke in favor of the bill.
Ben Horsley, citizen, spoke to the bill.
Lexi Cunningham, Utah Superintendent Organization, spoke to the bill.
Seth Cauman, Community Engagement Manager, Bike Utah, spoke in favor of the bill.
MOTION:Rep. Stenquist moved to hold H.B. 109.The motion failed with a vote of 4-6-2.
Yeas - 4Nays- 6Abs- 2
Rep. N. Abbott
Rep. A. Defay
Rep. S. Pulsipher
Rep. J. Stenquist
Rep. K. Christofferson
Rep. B. Garner
Rep. D. Johnson
Rep. A. Matthews
Rep. K. Peterson
Rep. R. Ward
Rep. K. Ivory
Rep. D. Welton
MOTION:Rep. Johnson moved to replace H.B. 109 with 1st Substitute H.B. 109.The motion passed with a vote of 10-0-2.
Yeas - 10Nays- 0Abs- 2
Rep. N. Abbott
Rep. K. Christofferson
Rep. A. Defay
Rep. B. Garner
Rep. D. Johnson
Rep. A. Matthews
Rep. K. Peterson
Rep. S. Pulsipher
Rep. J. Stenquist
Rep. R. Ward
Rep. K. Ivory
Rep. D. Welton
MOTION:Rep. Johnson moved to pass 1st Substitute H.B. 109 out favorably.The motion failed with a vote of 5-5-2.
Yeas - 5Nays- 5Abs- 2
Rep. K. Christofferson
Rep. B. Garner
Rep. D. Johnson
Rep. A. Matthews
Rep. R. Ward
Rep. N. Abbott
Rep. A. Defay
Rep. K. Peterson
Rep. S. Pulsipher
Rep. J. Stenquist
Rep. K. Ivory
Rep. D. Welton
2.H.B. 186 License Plate Requirements (Thurston, N.)
Rep. Thurston presented the bill.
Crystal Young, lobbyist, spoke in favor of the bill.
John Valentine, Commissioner, Utah Tax Commission, spoke to the bill.
MOTION:Rep. Abbot moved to hold H.B. 186.
SUBSTITUTE MOTION:Rep. Ward moved to amend H.B. 186 with Amendment #1.The substitute motion passed with a vote of 10-0-2.
Amendment 1
H.B. 186
1 .        Page 3, Lines 65 through 68 :  Page 3, Lines 65 through 68
65                 (c) In determining whether the requested personalized license plate violates is indecent,
66         obscene, profane, or is otherwise prohibited as described in Subsection (3)(b), the division shall
67         consider how { a } an objective reasonable person would interpret the requested language with no other
68         context.

Yeas - 10Nays- 0Abs- 2
Rep. N. Abbott
Rep. K. Christofferson
Rep. A. Defay
Rep. B. Garner
Rep. D. Johnson
Rep. A. Matthews
Rep. K. Peterson
Rep. S. Pulsipher
Rep. J. Stenquist
Rep. R. Ward
Rep. K. Ivory
Rep. D. Welton
MOTION:Rep. Ward moved to pass H.B. 186 out favorably.
SUBSTITUTE MOTION:Rep. Defay moved to amend H.B. 186 with Amendment #2.The substitute motion passed with a vote of 10-0-2.
Amendment 2
H.B. 186
1 .        Page 2, Lines 44 through 47 :  Page 2, Lines 44 through 47
44                 (ii) "Profane" or "profanity" includes:
45                 (A) any personally reviling epithet or slur that naturally provokes a violent resentment; or
46                 (B) language so grossly offensive to members of the public that the language amounts
47         to a nuisance.

Yeas - 10Nays- 0Abs- 2
Rep. N. Abbott
Rep. K. Christofferson
Rep. A. Defay
Rep. B. Garner
Rep. D. Johnson
Rep. A. Matthews
Rep. K. Peterson
Rep. S. Pulsipher
Rep. J. Stenquist
Rep. R. Ward
Rep. K. Ivory
Rep. D. Welton
MOTION:Rep. Matthews moved to pass H.B. 186 out favorably.The motion passed with a vote of 7-3-2.
Yeas - 7Nays- 3Abs- 2
Rep. N. Abbott
Rep. A. Defay
Rep. D. Johnson
Rep. A. Matthews
Rep. K. Peterson
Rep. S. Pulsipher
Rep. R. Ward
Rep. K. Christofferson
Rep. B. Garner
Rep. J. Stenquist
Rep. K. Ivory
Rep. D. Welton
3.H.B. 184 Vehicle Owner Registration Requirements (Teuscher, J.)
Rep. Teuscher presented the bill.
MOTION:Rep. Matthews moved to amend H.B. 184 with Amendment #1. The motion passed with a vote of 9-0-3.
Amendment 1
H.B. 184
1 .        Page 1, Lines 12 through 16 :  Page 1, Lines 12 through 16
12                 This bill { :
13         ▸                 encourages an owner or operator to carry the off-highway vehicle registration for the
14         convenience of law enforcement; and
15         ▸                   } provides the option for an individual to display the vehicle registration card through
16         digital means, in addition to the original registration card.

Yeas - 9Nays- 0Abs- 3
Rep. N. Abbott
Rep. K. Christofferson
Rep. A. Defay
Rep. B. Garner
Rep. D. Johnson
Rep. A. Matthews
Rep. K. Peterson
Rep. S. Pulsipher
Rep. J. Stenquist
Rep. K. Ivory
Rep. R. Ward
Rep. D. Welton
MOTION:Rep. Matthews moved to pass H.B. 184 out favorably.The motion passed with a vote of 9-0-3.
Yeas - 9Nays- 0Abs- 3
Rep. N. Abbott
Rep. K. Christofferson
Rep. A. Defay
Rep. B. Garner
Rep. D. Johnson
Rep. A. Matthews
Rep. K. Peterson
Rep. S. Pulsipher
Rep. J. Stenquist
Rep. K. Ivory
Rep. R. Ward
Rep. D. Welton
4.H.B. 154 Bicycle Amendments (Birkeland, K.)
Rep. Birkeland presented the bill.
Cameron Carter, Bike Utah, spoke in favor of the bill.
MOTION:Rep. Stenquist moved to amend H.B. 154 with Amendment #1.The motion passed with a vote of 9-0-3.
Amendment 1
H.B. 154
1 .        Page 1, Line 25 through Page 2, Line 35 :  Page 1, Line 25 through Page 2, Line 35
25                 41-6a-1112. Maintaining control of bicycles and mopeds.
26                 (1) As used in this section, "safe operation" means exercising reasonable care and caution under existing roadway conditions with consideration of the specific type and intended use of the bicycle or moped.
  { (1) } (2) A person operating a bicycle or moped shall maintain control of the bicycle or
27         moped at all times.
28                 [(1)] { (2) } (3) A person operating a bicycle or moped may not carry any package, bundle, or
29         article [which prevents the use of both hands in the control and operation of the bicycle or
30         moped.] that prevents the operator from maintaining control and safe operation of the bicycle
31         or moped.
32                 [(2) A person operating a bicycle or moped shall keep at least one hand on the
33         handlebars at all times.]
34                 Section 2. Effective date.
35                 This bill takes effect on May 1, 2024.

Yeas - 9Nays- 0Abs- 3
Rep. N. Abbott
Rep. K. Christofferson
Rep. A. Defay
Rep. B. Garner
Rep. D. Johnson
Rep. A. Matthews
Rep. K. Peterson
Rep. S. Pulsipher
Rep. J. Stenquist
Rep. K. Ivory
Rep. R. Ward
Rep. D. Welton
MOTION:Rep. Stenquist moved to pass H.B. 154 out favorably.The motion passed with a vote of 9-0-3.
Yeas - 9Nays- 0Abs- 3
Rep. N. Abbott
Rep. K. Christofferson
Rep. A. Defay
Rep. B. Garner
Rep. D. Johnson
Rep. A. Matthews
Rep. K. Peterson
Rep. S. Pulsipher
Rep. J. Stenquist
Rep. K. Ivory
Rep. R. Ward
Rep. D. Welton
5.H.B. 210 Disabled Veteran Parking Amendments (Matthews, A.)
Rep. Mathews presented the bill with assistance from Brian Garrett, Deputy Director, Utah Department of Veteran & Military Affairs.
Andrew Riggle, Disability Law Center, spoke in favor to the bill.
Witt Cook, Utah Republican Veteran Cacus, spoke in favor of the bill.
MOTION:Rep. Garner moved to replace H.B. 210 with 1st Substitute H.B. 210.The motion passed with a vote of 9-0-3.
Yeas - 9Nays- 0Abs- 3
Rep. N. Abbott
Rep. K. Christofferson
Rep. A. Defay
Rep. B. Garner
Rep. D. Johnson
Rep. A. Matthews
Rep. K. Peterson
Rep. S. Pulsipher
Rep. R. Ward
Rep. K. Ivory
Rep. J. Stenquist
Rep. D. Welton
MOTION:Rep. Garner moved to amend 1st Substitute H.B. 210 with Amendment #1.The motion passed with a vote of 9-0-3.
Amendment 1
1st Sub. H.B. 210
1 .        Page 4, Line 116 through Page 5, Line 119 :  Page 4, Line 116 through Page 5, Line 119
116                 (d) If the veteran or service member with a disability satisfies the requirements
117         established by the commission under Subsection { (4)(d) } (5)(d) , the division shall issue a disability
118         special group license plate or a removable windshield placard to a veteran or service member
119         with a disability.

Yeas - 9Nays- 0Abs- 3
Rep. N. Abbott
Rep. K. Christofferson
Rep. A. Defay
Rep. B. Garner
Rep. D. Johnson
Rep. A. Matthews
Rep. K. Peterson
Rep. S. Pulsipher
Rep. R. Ward
Rep. K. Ivory
Rep. J. Stenquist
Rep. D. Welton
MOTION:Rep. Garner moved to pass 1st Substitute H.B. 210 out favorably.The motion passed with a vote of 9-0-3.
Yeas - 9Nays- 0Abs- 3
Rep. N. Abbott
Rep. K. Christofferson
Rep. A. Defay
Rep. B. Garner
Rep. D. Johnson
Rep. A. Matthews
Rep. K. Peterson
Rep. S. Pulsipher
Rep. R. Ward
Rep. K. Ivory
Rep. J. Stenquist
Rep. D. Welton
6.H.B. 292 Snowplow Amendments (Maloy, A. Cory)
Rep. Maloy presented the bill with assistance from Kari Malkovich, Woodland Hills City Council.
Todd Losser, Utah Public Employee Association, spoke in favor of the bill.
Mike Rapich, Colonel, Utah Highway Patrol, spoke in favor of the bill.
MOTION:Rep. Matthews moved to amend H.B. 292 with Amendment #1.The motion passed with a vote of 9-0-3.
Amendment 1
H.B. 292
1 .        Page 1, Lines 11 through 14 :  Page 1, Lines 11 through 14
11                 This bill:
12                 { ▸         clarifies that a snow plow is an authorized emergency vehicle; and }
13                 ▸         clarifies that { an authorized emergency vehicle } a government snow plow may not be cited for a lighting
14         violation.

2 .        Page 2, Lines 33 through 40 :  Page 2, Lines 33 through 40
33                 (3) "Authorized emergency vehicle" includes:
34                 (a) a fire department [vehicles] vehicle;
35                 (b) a police [vehicles] vehicle;
36                 (c) [ambulances] an ambulance; and
37                 { (d) a snow plow, when operated at the direction of the state or a political subdivision of
38         the state; and }
39                 { [ } (d) { ] } { (e) } other publicly or privately owned vehicles as designated by the commissioner
40         of the Department of Public Safety.

3 .        Page 14, Lines 424 through 426 :  Page 14, Lines 424 through 426
424                 (b) The provisions of Subsection (1)(a) do not apply to head lamps, spot lamps,
425         auxiliary lamps, flashing turn signals, hazard warning lamps, [and] school bus warning lamps,
426         or { an authorized emergency vehicle } a snow plow, when operated at the direction of the state or a political subdivision of the state .

Yeas - 9Nays- 0Abs- 3
Rep. N. Abbott
Rep. K. Christofferson
Rep. A. Defay
Rep. B. Garner
Rep. D. Johnson
Rep. A. Matthews
Rep. K. Peterson
Rep. S. Pulsipher
Rep. R. Ward
Rep. K. Ivory
Rep. J. Stenquist
Rep. D. Welton
MOTION:Rep. Matthews moved to pass H.B. 292 out favorably.The motion passed with a vote of 9-0-3.
Yeas - 9Nays- 0Abs- 3
Rep. N. Abbott
Rep. K. Christofferson
Rep. A. Defay
Rep. B. Garner
Rep. D. Johnson
Rep. A. Matthews
Rep. K. Peterson
Rep. S. Pulsipher
Rep. R. Ward
Rep. K. Ivory
Rep. J. Stenquist
Rep. D. Welton
7.S.B. 16 Motor Vehicle Act Amendments (Harper, W.)
Sen. Harper presented the bill.
MOTION:Rep. Ward moved to pass S.B. 16 out favorably.The motion passed with a vote of 10-0-2.
Yeas - 10Nays- 0Abs- 2
Rep. N. Abbott
Rep. K. Christofferson
Rep. A. Defay
Rep. B. Garner
Rep. D. Johnson
Rep. A. Matthews
Rep. K. Peterson
Rep. S. Pulsipher
Rep. J. Stenquist
Rep. R. Ward
Rep. K. Ivory
Rep. D. Welton
MOTION:Rep. Peterson moved to adjourn.The motion passed with a vote of 10-0-2.
Yeas - 10Nays- 0Abs- 2
Rep. N. Abbott
Rep. K. Christofferson
Rep. A. Defay
Rep. B. Garner
Rep. D. Johnson
Rep. A. Matthews
Rep. K. Peterson
Rep. S. Pulsipher
Rep. J. Stenquist
Rep. R. Ward
Rep. K. Ivory
Rep. D. Welton
Chair Christofferson adjourned the meeting.