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MINUTES OF THE
HOUSE JUDICIARY STANDING COMMITTEE MEETING
Room 223 - State Capitol Building
February 12, 2003
MEMBERS PRESENT: Rep. Ben C. Ferry, Chair
Rep. J. Stuart Adams, Vice Chair
Rep. Chad E. Bennion
Rep. Katherine M. Bryson
Rep. Greg J. Curtis
Rep. Neal B. Hendrickson
Rep. Eric K. Hutchings
Rep. M. Susan Lawrence
Rep. Dana C. Love
Rep. Rosalind J. McGee
Rep. J. Morgan Philpot
Rep. Mike Thompson
MEMBERS ABSENT: Rep. Scott Daniels
STAFF: Jerry D. Howe, Policy Analyst
Cherri White, Committee Secretary
VISITORS: List of visitors on file
Representative Adams called the meeting to order at 8:07 a.m.
H.B. 222 Child Welfare Proceedings Amendments (G. Curtis)
The sponsor introduced the bill to the committee.
Speaking in favor of the bill were Gayle Ruzicka, Utah Eagle Forum, Sherrie Raymond,
JEDI, Steve Barrows, Utah Families Association, Adam Tripp, Division of Child and Family
Services. Speaking against the bill Tammy Anderson, Utah PTA. Speaking to the bill Kristin
Brewer, Office of Guardian ad Litem, and Rick Schwermer, Administrative Office of the Courts.
MOTION: Representative Bryson moved to pass the bill out favorably. The motion passed
9-2-2, with Representatives Lawrence and McGee voting against the motion, and
Representative Philpot absent for the vote.
H.B. 6 Shared Parenting by Divorcing Parents (M. Thompson)
MOTION: Representative Thompson moved to adopt 1st Substitute H.B. 6. The motion
passed unanimously with Representatives Bennion, Bryson, and Philpot absent for
the vote. Representative Thompson proceeded to introduce the substitute bill and
explain the differences to the committee.
Speaking in favor of the bill were Louise Lindorf, Utah School Teachers, Robert Durkee,
representing himself, Brent Holdaway, President, Utah FOCUS, and Alfonzo Rodriguez,
FOCUS. Speaking against the bill were Stewart Ralphs, Legal Aid Society, Lori Nelson, Family
Law section Utah State Bar, Jackie de Geston, and Gayle Ruzicka, Utah Eagle Forum. (See
handouts on file)
MOTION: Representative Hutchings moved to amend:
1.
Page 2, Line 38: After “party,” insert “residing with the primary parent”
After committee discussion the motion was withdrawn.
MOTION: Representative Love moved to pass the bill out favorably.
SUBSTITUTE
MOTION: Representative Bryson moved to go to the next item on the agenda. The motion
failed 5-5-3, with Representatives Bryson, Hutchings, Lawrence, McGee and
Philpot voting in favor of the motion, Representatives Hendrickson, Love,
Thomson, Adams, and Ferry voting against the motion, and Representatives
Bennion and Curtis absent for the vote.
Returning to the motion to pass the bill out favorably, the motion passed 8-2-3, with
Representatives McGee and Philpot voting against the motion, and Representatives Bennion and
Curtis absent for the vote.
1st Sub. H.B. 201 Judiciary Amendments (M. S. Lawrence)
The sponsor introduced the bill to the committee.
Rick Schwermer, Administrative Office of the Courts, answered questions from the
committee. Stephen Unopolas, representing himself spoke in favor of the bill.
MOTION: Representative Bryson moved to pass the bill out favorably. The motion passed
unanimously with Representatives Bennion, Curtis, and Love absent for the vote.
S.B. 128 Protective Order Amendments (L. Hillyard)
The sponsor introduced the bill to the committee and discussed the Senate amendments.
Speaking in favor of the bill were John T. Nielsen, Utah State Bar, and citizen Todd
Snow. Speaking against the bill were Stewart Ralphs, Legal Aid Society, and Brent Holdaway,
President, Utah FOCUS. (See handouts on file)
MOTION: Representative Bryson moved to hold the bill.
MOTION: Representative Bennion moved to adjourn. The motion passed unanimously, with
Representative Curtis absent for the vote. The meeting adjourned at 10:04 a.m.
___________________________________
Rep. Ben C. Ferry, Chair