Utah Senate advances wide range of bills, circles high‑profile criminal procedure reform

SALT LAKE CITY — The Utah State Senate on the floor advanced a broad package of second‑reading measures to third reading and set aside a contentious criminal‑procedure reform for further work.

Senators approved measures ranging from technical fixes to new policy tools. Among the bills moved forward were SB 49, which expands custodial‑interrogation protections for juveniles and lengthens the time to locate a ‘‘friendly adult;’’ SB 86, which removes fentanyl test strips from the state paraphernalia code so public‑health and harm‑reduction programs can use them; and SB 84, a first substitute tightening definitions and procedures for Housing and Transit Reinvestment Zones. Lawmakers also approved a special Great Salt Lake preservation license plate (SB 92) whose fees would flow to the Sovereign Land Management account.

Why it matters: The package mixes public‑safety, health and economic development items that could alter how local programs operate and how state funds are administered. The Senate’s decision to 'circle' SB 87 — effectively pausing it for further stakeholder work — preserves time to resolve disputes on criminal‑procedure rules while advancing other measures.

Key votes and developments

• SB 49 (Juvenile custodial interrogation amendments): Sponsor Senator Revey described the bill as two‑pronged — clarifying Miranda‑style language so juveniles understand their rights and extending the time to find a friendly adult; he said the change reflects rural distances that can delay an adult’s arrival. The Senate advanced the bill to third reading (27 yea, 1 nay, 1 absent).

• First Substitute SB 86 (Drug testing and paraphernalia amendments): Senator Plumb said removing fentanyl test strips from paraphernalia prohibitions gives clinics, harm‑reduction organizations and recovery programs ‘‘a potentially life‑saving tool’’ to detect fentanyl in substances. The chamber advanced the measure to third reading (27 yea, 1 nay, 1 absent).

• SB 87 (Criminal prosecution modifications) and SJR 6 (companion resolution): Senator Weiler, sponsor of SB 87, reviewed years of interim stakeholder work and described a narrowed proposal that would permit limited witness depositions in criminal cases (90 minutes) with statutory language intended to protect witnesses. After extended questioning about safeguards and the role of judges to control examinations, the Senate voted to circle the bill and the companion resolution for further work rather than proceed this year.

• SJR 7 (Settlement with the U.S.): Senator Stevenson said the proposed settlement resolves a federal claim that Utah misused certain federal grant funds; the original claim sought roughly $50 million while the negotiated settlement is $1,550,000, a settlement that requires legislative approval because it exceeds $1 million. The resolution moved to third reading (27 yea, 0 nay, 2 absent).

• Other measures advanced: SB 74 (extended commission sunset), SB 92 (Great Salt Lake license plate), SB 47 (incarcerated youth education age fix), First Sub SB 84 (HTRZ technical clarifications), SB 37 (municipality incorporation amendments), First Sub SB 63 (party candidate replacement process) and multiple child‑welfare and family law technical bills. Vote tallies were recorded on the floor for each measure moved to third reading.

Exchanges and contention

The most sustained floor exchange centered on SB 87, where Senator Weiler argued the 1994 change to preliminary‑hearing procedure had shifted too much information control away from defendants and that limited depositions would restore some balance. He said, in part, "This bill says you can depose a witness in a criminal case for 90 minutes…we made all kinds of concessions." Opponents raised concerns about enforcing civility and preventing aggressive examination and urged stronger judicial control; Senator Bramble asked the sponsor to address safeguards should deposition tactics cross the line.

On the public‑health front, Senator Plumb said SB 86 will help detect emerging threats and get public‑safety and public‑health actors working together: "We can help detect emerging threats… and we can try to keep people safe." That bill drew limited floor discussion before the vote.

Procedural notes and next steps

Several bills were formally "read for a third time" on voice and roll‑call votes and are expected to appear on the third‑reading calendar for final action. SB 87 and its companion SJR 6 were circled for additional stakeholder work and are not advancing this session. The Senate adjourned and reconvened at a time announced by leadership for continuing business.

Quotation sources in this report are taken from sponsor remarks and floor exchanges recorded on the Senate floor during the cited session.

Ending: The chamber adjourned until 11 a.m. the following day.