House debates redistricting maps as Second Substitute SB 2006 is considered

Lawmakers spent significant time Nov. 10 discussing state senate maps under Second Substitute Senate Bill 2006. The reading clerk introduced the bill and Representative Ray, the House sponsor, walked members through changes, particularly boundary adjustments intended to address local concerns.

Representative Nielsen pressed the map drafter on Tooele County, arguing the draft did not restore Tooele’s historical senate district and had taken 30,000 residents into Box Elder County’s district. Representative Harrison moved to adopt a fourth substitute using the independent redistricting commission’s purple map, urging the House to ‘‘honor the clear voice of the voters’’ who approved an independent commission in 2018; that motion failed on a voice vote.

Sponsors and proponents said the committee map is the result of compromise and many hours of work; Representative Ray thanked the committee and staff for the effort. Procedural attempts to open a recorded roll call had technical issues during voting, but the House completed its business and prepared to return to the Senate for signatures on enacted measures and to adjourn the special session.

The map debate reflected typical redistricting trade-offs: county integrity, population deviations and incumbent protection, with members urging adjustments for Tooele and other counties. The House’s work on maps in the special session was a major part of the day’s agenda and drew extended floor discussion.