Utah Senate advances wide package of bills on third reading, including data‑privacy and corrections measures

The Utah Senate spent its floor session considering and approving a slate of bills on third reading and making several substitutions to proposed legislation.

On data privacy, Second Substitute Senate Bill 98, presented by Senator Harper, was described as clarifying notification requirements after data breaches and adjusting the effective date of certain top‑level domain provisions. The Senate passed the measure by roll call, recorded as 29 yeas, 0 nays.

The body also passed measures affecting criminal procedure and public safety. Senator Pitcher explained that Senate Bill 110 extends for three years the process allowing misdemeanor domestic‑violence cases to transfer from justice court to district court while justice court reforms continue; the bill passed and will be transmitted to the House.

Other bills the Senate read for a third time and advanced included SB 119 (adding aircraft fire‑rescue training to the Utah Fire and Rescue Academy), SB 58 (property‑tax administration verification procedures for assessors), HB 22 (adding apprenticeship as a path to a transformed certificate), HB 42 (electronic publication of certain water rights notices), HB 53 (support for rural county appraisal services), HB 32 (short‑term rental cleanup language) and HB 10 (defining the Public Treasurer’s Investment Fund and requiring an annual consolidated report). Votes and outcomes were recorded on the floor and those measures will be sent to the House or otherwise proceed per legislative process.

Senators also adopted a first substitute to Senate Bill 111, a law‑enforcement canine pilot program. The sponsor said the substitute reduced the program’s grant cap from $3,000,000 to $150,000 so small jurisdictions could apply for funding to purchase patrol, search‑and‑rescue, bomb, or drug‑detection dogs. That substitute passed on the floor (roll call recorded as 17 yeas, 8 nays, 4 absent).

A corrections‑related package in Third Substitute SB 109 was presented as an interim‑driven effort to clarify county sheriff and Department of Corrections roles, to codify a 72‑hour hold practice for parole violators, to create a reentry division within the Department of Corrections, and to allow alternative supervision models in limited circumstances. Sponsors said the changes aim to improve safety, retention, and reentry outcomes; some senators voiced concern about employment impacts for individuals detained under the 72‑hour hold.

One measure that drew extended floor debate was House Bill 14, which would increase penalties for false threats against schools and make certain false emergency reports second‑degree felonies. Supporters described the measure as necessary to deter disruptive and potentially dangerous hoaxes; opponents warned against a pattern of “felony creep.” Senator Ibsen moved to table HB 14 on third because of a fiscal note, and the motion to table passed.

The Senate adjourned following announcements and will reconvene at the time set by the presiding officer.

Votes at a glance: Second Substitute SB 98 — passed (29–0); SB 110 — passed (20–0, 1 absent); SB 119 — passed (29–0, 1 absent); SB 91 — passed (27–0, 2 absent); SB 58 — passed (recorded on roll); SB 111 (first substitute) — passed (17–8, 4 absent); HB 22 — read for third (25–0); HB 10, HB 53, HB 32, HB 42 — all moved forward for third reading as recorded on the floor.