Link to Zipped WordPerfect Minutes 8K bytes


MINUTES OF THE
SENATE JUDICIARY, LAW ENFORCEMENT AND CRIMINAL JUSTICE
STANDING COMMITTEE
FRIDAY, FEBRUARY 20, 2004
Room 414, STATE CAPITOL BUILDING

Members Present:        Sen. Gregory Bell, Chair
            Sen. Patrice M. Arent
            Sen. D. Chris Buttars
            Sen. Mike Dmitrich
            Sen. James M. Evans
            Sen. David L. Gladwell
            
Members Excused:        Sen. Lyle W. Hillyard
            Sen. L. Al Mansell
        
Staff Present:        Jami Momberger, Policy Analyst
            Katrina Yarrington, Committee Secretary

Public Speakers Present:    Mel Brown, National Rifle Association
            Reed Richards, Attorney
            Mark Walsh, Administrative Office of the Courts
            Jody Hoffman, League of Cities and Towns
            Rick Schwermer, Administrative Office of the Courts
            Jeff Tracy, Utah County Sheriff
            John T. Nielson, Utah State Bar Association
            Dan Fallows, Legislative Affairs, Department of Public Safety
            Rich Walker, President, Utah Professional Towing Association
            Lynn Christensen, President, Davis County Towing Association
            Linda Hall, Utah Department of Transportation
            Elaine Trip, American Automobile Association, Utah
            Mark May, Attorney General's Office
            
A list of visitors and a copy of handouts are filed with the committee minutes.

Committee Chair Bell called the meeting to order at 4:23 p.m.
    
1.     Approval of minutes

     MOTION: Sen. Arent moved to approve the minutes from the February 16th and February 19th meetings.

    The motion passed unanimously, with Sen. Evans absent for the vote.




2. S.B. 36 Prevention of Child Access to Firearms (P. Julander)

    Sen. Julander introduced the bill assisted by Mel Brown, National Rifle Association. Sen. Julander indicated that she would not be pursuing the bill this Session, but plans to introduce similar legislation next year.
    

3. S.B. 196 Court Fee Adjustments (D. Gladwell)

    Sen. Gladwell introduced the bill assisted by Reed Richards, Attorney.

    The following people spoke in support of the bill:
    Rick Schwermer, Administrative Office of the Courts
    Jeff Tracy, Sheriff, Utah County
    Mark Walsh, Administrative Office of the Courts
    
    The following people spoke in opposition to the bill:
    Jody Hoffman, League of Cities and Towns

    MOTION: Sen. Buttars moved to pass S.B. 196 out with a favorable recommendation.
    
    The motion passed unanimously.

4. H.B.234 Sunset Extension on Unauthorized Practice of Law (S. Urquhart)

    Sen. Arent introduced the bill assisted by John T. Nielson, Utah Bar Association.

     MOTION: Sen. Buttars moved to pass H.B.234 out with a favorable recommendation.

    The motion passed unanimously.

     MOTION: Sen. Buttars moved to place H.B.234 on the Consent Calendar.

    The motion passed unanimously.

5. H.B.212 Traffic Accident Response (E. Hutchings)

    Rep. Hutchings introduced the bill.

     MOTION: Sen. Dmitrich moved to amend H.B.212 as follows:

1.    Page 2, Lines 51 through 56 :    

throughout the state. The rules shall:

             52          (i) provide strict response time performance standards for tow truck motor carriers
             53      contacted in accordance with this Subsection (4);
             54          (ii) provide an exception to any rules for the rotation of tow truck motor carriers in
             55      conflict with this Subsection (4);
[[   and   ]]

             56          (iii) allow a qualified tow truck in the proximity of the incident to respond if necessary
  ; and

    (iv)    require the peace officer to make a record of the reasons for the quickest available removal under this Subsection (4) and the tow truck motor carrier used for the removal  
.


    The motion to amend passed unanimously, with Sen. Gladwell absent for the vote.

    Dan Fallows, Law Enforcement Legislative Commission, spoke in support of the bill.

     MOTION: Sen. Arent moved to amend H.B.212 as follows:

1.    Page 2, Lines 42 through 48 :    

(4) (a) If a peace officer determines that a vehicle must be removed either as a result of
             43      a crash or otherwise in accordance with this chapter, the peace officer shall remove or cause the
             44      vehicle to be removed by the quickest available
  safe       means if:

             45          (i) the incident is causing a safety hazard;
             46          (ii) the incident is causing traffic delays; and
             47          (iii) the traffic volume adjacent to the incident would result in significant delays to the
             48      traveling public if the vehicle is not removed by the quickest available
  safe       means.


    The motion passed unanimously, with Sen. Buttars and Sen. Gladwell absent for the vote.

    The following people spoke in support of the bill:
    Linda Hall, Utah Department of Transportation
    Elaine Trip, American Automobile Association, Utah

    The following people spoke in opposition to the bill:
    Rich Walker, President, Utah Professional Towing Association
    Lynn Christensen, President, Davis County Towing Association

     MOTION: Sen. Arent moved to hold H.B.212.

    The motion passed, with Sen. Bell voting in opposition, and Sen. Buttars, Sen. Dmitrich, and Sen. Gladwell absent for the vote.


6. H.B.197 Limit on Child Welfare Recommendations and Rulings (M. Thompson)

    Rep. Thompson introduced the bill.

    Mark May, Attorney General's Office, spoke in support of the bill.

     MOTION: Sen. Evans moved to pass H.B.197 out with a favorable recommendation.

    The motion passed unanimously, with Sen. Buttars, Sen. Dmitrich, and Sen. Gladwell absent for the vote.

     MOTION: Sen. Evans moved to adjourn.

    Committee Chair Bell adjourned the meeting at 5:51 p.m.

    Minutes recorded by Katrina Yarrington, Secretary




 Sen. Gregory S. Bell, Committee Chair