During the 2006 General Session, the Legislature considered H.B. 317, entitled “Administrative Rule Criminal Penalty Amendments” (see http://www.le.state.ut.us/~2006/htmdoc/hbillhtm/HB0317S01.htm for more information). This bill amended statutes throughout the Utah Code removing criminal penalties for violations of administrative rules. Time ran out before the bill could be passed.
Based on information available from the Legislature’s web site, it appears that a similar bill will be filed for the upcoming 2007 General Session. The index of Bill Requests currently available on the Legislature’s web site shows that Sen. Stephenson has opened a bill request. If this bill is to proceed as a committee bill, as last year’s bill did, it is likely that the committee will discuss it at their next meeting, scheduled for Wednesday, December 13, 2006, at 9 AM in Room W135.
Contact Ken Hansen if you have questions about his issue — 801-538-3777.