KUER
A Utah legislative committee approved a bill that creates harsher penalties for people charged with rioting.
A bill that increases penalties and eliminates bail for rioting passed a Utah legislative committee Wednesday.
The proposal from Sen. David Hinkins, R-Ferron, is in response to last year’s protests against police brutality and racial injustice.
During the presentation to the Senate Judiciary Committee, Hinkins brought members of the armed neighborhood watch group United Citizens Alarm to present the bill with him.
Casey Robertson said he formed the organization after a motorist was shot by protesters in Provo last year.
“The citizens of Utah overwhelmingly support harsh penalties for riotous, violent and unlawful behavior,” Robertson said. “If this bill passes, violent criminals will think twice before destroying our towns and threatening and harassing Utah citizens.”
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Two bills born from last summer s protests get approval by senate committee
Committee passes two bills tied to Utah protests
and last updated 2021-02-18 00:34:45-05
SALT LAKE CITY â Two bills on Capitol Hill with links to last summer s protests are moving forward to the Senate floor. While one focuses on protesters who incite violence, another targets police deescalation and arrest training.
The latter received overwhelming support during Wednesday s Senate Judiciary, Law Enforcement, and Criminal Justice Committee.
However, the former saw opposition from organizations like the ACLU of Utah and Salt Lake County District Attorney s Office, while garnering support from citizen groups.
| Updated: 9:19 p.m.
A Utah Senate committee opted not to move forward Tuesday with a proposal that could slap convicted porch pirates with a penalty of at least 10 days in jail and fines starting at $3,000, as some raised concerns that the proposed punishments were too harsh for the crime.
As more and more Utahns turn to the online marketplace particularly amid the pandemic package theft has become an issue frequently bemoaned on community Facebook groups and neighborhood apps. And Sen. Gene Davis, D-Salt Lake City and the bill’s sponsor, said he’s received many emails over the last few months from constituents concerned that packages are “being stolen almost minutes after they’re delivered.”