Gov. Herbert signs 55 bills
SALT LAKE CITY (March 23, 2015) – Gov. Gary R. Herbert signed 55 bills today, bringing the total number of bills signed to 102 of the total 528 bills passed during the 2015 General Legislative Session.
Among the group of bills signed today is HB11, Death Penalty Procedure Amendments. This bill establishes the firing squad as a secondary method for executions, in the event the drugs necessary for lethal injection cannot be obtained. Lethal injection remains the primary method for carrying out executions in Utah.
“Those who voiced opposition to this bill are primarily arguing against capital punishment in general and that decision has already been made in our state,” said Marty Carpenter, spokesman for Gov. Herbert. “We regret anyone ever commits the heinous crime of aggravated murder to merit the death penalty and we prefer to use our primary method of lethal injection when such a sentence is issued. However, when a jury makes the decision and a judge signs a death warrant, enforcing that lawful decision is the obligation of the executive branch.”
In total, 34 states use capital punishment. All those states use lethal injection as the primary method of execution. Eight states have electrocution as a secondary method for execution, four use the gas chamber, three use hanging and two use the firing squad.
The full list bills signed by the governor are as follows:
Bill Number
Bill Name
Bill Sponsor
Death Penalty Procedure Amendments
Ray, P.
Jail Retirement System Amendments
Ray, P.
Appropriations Limit Formula Amendments
Hall, C.
Insurance Comparison Tables
Hawkes, T.
Department of Workforce Services Suset Authorization
Edwards, R.
Amendments to Driver License Records
Hutchings, E.
American Indian-Alaskan Native Education Amendments
Draxler, J.
Powdered Alcohol Amendments
Eliason, S.
Ballot Publishing Amendments
Knotwell, J.
Nepotism Amendments
Cutler, B.
Consent Definition for Sexual Offense
Romero, A.
Generator Site Access Permits Amendments
Dee, B.
Safety Belt Law Amendments
Perry, L.
Local School Board Meetings Requirements
Hall, C.
Veterinary Practice Act Amendments
Peterson, J.
Rural Residency Training Program Reauthorization
Redd, E.
Agricultural Tourism Amendments
Perry, L.
Charter School Finance Amendments
Last, B.
Tuition and Fees Assistance for Utah National Guard Members
Peterson, V.
Tobacco Shop Amendments
Powell, K.
Foster Home Amendments
Daw, B.
State Employee Health Clinic
Barlow, S.
Jury Duty Exemption Amendments
McKell, M.
Utah Code of Military Justice Amendments
Peterson, V.
Legislative In-session Employee Amendments
Dunnigan, J.
Recovery Dog Training Amendments
Pitcher, D.
Alzheimer State Plan Amendments
Ray, P.
Child Welfare Mediation
Hutchings, E.
Property Rights Ombudsman Amendments
Hawkes, T.
Traffic Code Repealer
Perry, L.
Suicide Prevention Program Amendments
Fawson, J.
Wildland Fire Liability Amendments
Wheatley, M.
Election Day Voter Registration Pilot Project Amendments
Chavez-Houck, R.
Air Quality Revisions
Edwards, R.
License Plate Obstruction Amendments
Redd, E.
Statute of Limitation for Civil Actions
Ivory, K.
Utah National Guard Command Structure Amendments
Peterson, V.
Legislative Approval of Land Transfers
Stratton, K.
Suicide Prevention Amendments
Eliason, S.
Utah National Guard Fund Amendments
Peterson, V.
Grazing Zones Amendments
Noel, M.
Energy Zones Amendments
Noel, M.
Controlled Substance Database Amendments
Redd, E.
Statute of Limitations Modifications
Noel, M.
Protections on Parental Guidance in Public Schools
Dee, B.
Concurrent Resolution on Basing and Infrastructure in Support of National and State Defense
Peterson, V.
Concurrent Resolution on Healthcare
Dunnigan, J.
School Planning and Zoning Process
Vickers, E.
Motor Vehicle Enforcement Division Account Amendments
Harper, W.
Utah Educational Savings Plan Amendments
Weiler, T.
Unauthorized Activity on State Land
Dayton, M.
Town Amendments
Iwamoto, J.
Procurement Code Revisions
Mayne, K.
State Surplus Property Amendments
Weiler, T.
Judiciary Amendments
Hillyard, L.
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