| Members Present: Rep. Ryan D. Wilcox, Chair Rep. Mark A. Strong, Vice Chair Rep. Melissa G. Ballard Rep. Matthew H. Gwynn Rep. Katy Hall Rep. Sandra Hollins Rep. Trevor Lee Rep. Lisa Shepherd | Rep. Stephen L. Whyte Members Absent: Rep. Val L. Peterson Rep. Andrew Stoddard Staff Present: Lacey Johnson, Policy Analyst An Bradshaw, Committee Secretary |
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Note: A copy of related materials and an audio recording of the meeting can be found at www.le.utah.gov.
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| Chair Wilcox called the meeting to order at 8:18 a.m. |
| 1.H.B. 476 Insanity Defense Amendments(Moss, C.) |
| HB 476 Talking Points |
| Rep. Moss presented the bill with the assistance of Mark Moffat, criminal defense attorney, Neal Hamilton, criminal defense attorney, and Tyler Durns, Director, University of Utah School of Medicine Forensic Psychiatry Fellowship Program. A handout was provided. |
| Carl Hollan, Executive Director, Statewide Association of Prosecutors and Public Attorneys, spoke in opposition to the bill. |
| MOTION:Chair Strong moved to go to the next item on the agenda, then return to HB 476.The motion passed with a vote of 9-0-2. | |||
| Yeas - 9 | Nays- 0 | Abs- 2 | |
| Rep. M. Ballard Rep. M. Gwynn Rep. K. Hall Rep. S. Hollins Rep. T. Lee Rep. L. Shepherd Rep. M. Strong Rep. S. Whyte Rep. R. Wilcox | Rep. V. Peterson Rep. A. Stoddard |
| 2.H.J.R. 28 Joint Resolution Amending Court Rules Related to Capital Felony Cases(Pierucci, C.) |
| Rep. Pierucci presented the resolution. |
| MOTION:Chair Strong moved to pass HJR028 out favorably.The motion passed with a vote of 8-1-2. | |||
| Yeas - 8 | Nays- 1 | Abs- 2 | |
| Rep. M. Ballard Rep. M. Gwynn Rep. K. Hall Rep. T. Lee Rep. L. Shepherd Rep. M. Strong Rep. S. Whyte Rep. R. Wilcox | Rep. S. Hollins | Rep. V. Peterson Rep. A. Stoddard |
| 3.H.B. 476 Insanity Defense Amendments(Moss, C.) |
| Debra Widmer, Director, Utah Shattering Silence Coalition, spoke in support of the bill. |
| Erin Bigler, Assistant Director of Forensic Social Work, Salt Lake Legal Defender Association, spoke in support of the bill. |
| Sherry Whitworth, advocate, spoke in support of the bill. |
| Maryann Christensen, Executive Director, Utah Legislative Watch, spoke in opposition to the bill. |
| Seth Stewart, resident, spoke in opposition to the bill. |
| MOTION:Rep. Hollins moved to pass HB0476 out favorably. |
| SUBSTITUTE MOTION:Rep. Gwynn moved to hold HB0476.The substitute motion passed with a vote of 7-2-2. | |||
| Yeas - 7 | Nays- 2 | Abs- 2 | |
| Rep. M. Ballard Rep. M. Gwynn Rep. K. Hall Rep. T. Lee Rep. M. Strong Rep. S. Whyte Rep. R. Wilcox | Rep. S. Hollins Rep. L. Shepherd | Rep. V. Peterson Rep. A. Stoddard |
| MOTION:Rep. Gwynn moved to refer HB 476, Insanity Defense Amendments, to interim for study. |
| The motionpassed with a vote 9-0-2. | |||
| Yeas - 9 | Nays- 0 | Abs- 2 | |
| Rep. M. Ballard Rep. M. Gwynn Rep. K. Hall Rep. S. Hollins Rep. T. Lee Rep. L. Shepherd Rep. M. Strong Rep. S. Whyte Rep. R. Wilcox | Rep. V. Peterson Rep. A. Stoddard |
| MOTION:Rep. Shepherd moved to approve the minutes for the February 23, 2026 meeting.The motion passed with a vote of 7-0-4. | |||
| Yeas - 7 | Nays- 0 | Abs- 4 | |
| Rep. M. Ballard Rep. K. Hall Rep. S. Hollins Rep. L. Shepherd Rep. M. Strong Rep. S. Whyte Rep. R. Wilcox | Rep. M. Gwynn Rep. T. Lee Rep. V. Peterson Rep. A. Stoddard |
| 4.2nd Sub. S.B. 183 Surveillance Camera Amendments(Pitcher, S.) |
| Sen. Pitcher presented the bill with the assistance of Adam Craig, resident. |
| Nate Mutter, Chair, Law Enforcement Legislative Committee, spoke to the bill. |
| MOTION:Rep. Hollins moved to pass SB0183S02 out favorably.The motion passed with a vote of 7-0-4. | |||
| Yeas - 7 | Nays- 0 | Abs- 4 | |
| Rep. M. Ballard Rep. K. Hall Rep. S. Hollins Rep. L. Shepherd Rep. M. Strong Rep. S. Whyte Rep. R. Wilcox | Rep. M. Gwynn Rep. T. Lee Rep. V. Peterson Rep. A. Stoddard |
| MOTION:Rep. Hollins moved to adjourn.The motion passed with a vote of 6-1-4. | |||
| Yeas - 6 | Nays- 1 | Abs- 4 | |
| Rep. M. Ballard Rep. K. Hall Rep. S. Hollins Rep. M. Strong Rep. S. Whyte Rep. R. Wilcox | Rep. L. Shepherd | Rep. M. Gwynn Rep. T. Lee Rep. V. Peterson Rep. A. Stoddard |
| Chair Wilcox adjourned the meeting at 9:24 a.m. |