S.B. 215 Eviction Record Amendments: transcript

Yes. Great. Okay. Thank you Mr. Chair. Um, Senate bill two 15 addresses expungements for eviction filings. And, um, currently in Utah law, the code allows for an expungement of a dismissed eviction after, uh, three years after the date in which that case was dismissed. Um, and this bill came to me as a result of, uh, some, some advocates who were looking at this space. And, um, what we were looking at initially didn't, didn't feel feasible, but this came up as a, as an issue that's really interesting to me. In the criminal space, when a case is dismissed, uh, an expungement can be processed within 30 days of that dismissal. And that's really, or at least you can petition for that. And that's really important from the standpoint of, um, helping somebody clear their record and get back on their feet when a case was, uh, didn't result in a conviction. I understand that in the eviction space, it's different. Um, uh, but ultimately what we're looking at is dismissed, uh, cases that are dismissed. No, no eviction was entered. Um, I do have an amendment that I would like to move at some point when that's appropriate. Um, Is it a verbal amendment? 'cause I don't see one online. It's a verbal. Okay. Can I, is that appropriate to do that now?

It's two or three words. Um, so the amendment would be line 26. Uh, changing 90 days to one year has and striking the word have.

on why you wanna move there? Yeah, I'll just share that this is a result of some negotiations between the stakeholders and I think we've got it to a good place.

Uh, that concludes my presentation. Thank

Uh, yes. The, I believe it's the Utah Housing Coalition and the Renters Association.

Hello, my name is Zoe Newman and I'm a project manager over at the Utah Housing Coalition. So this bill creates an automatic expungement of certain eviction records, helping people avoid long-term marks on their housing history and streamlining housing stability. So that means eviction filings that don't result in a final judgment against the, the tenant won't continue to haunt their rental history. So by reducing barriers to securing a new lease and improving access to rental housing, this kind of record relief can help families and individuals stay stably housed and bounce back more quickly after financial setbacks. So we worked with the Rental Housing Association as well, and Senator Pitcher to come up with this one New Year timeframe. And we think that it aligns very well with what the, what, what we are trying to do with housing stability up here this year. So, thank you.

Thank you. Uh, Justin Allen on behalf of the Rental Housing Association. And, uh, just wanted to thank Senator Senator Pitcher for, um, being very responsive and working with us as we talked about finding the right balance, uh, on, uh, protecting rental housing providers. And also as, uh, Zoe mentioned providing, uh, opportunities for those to hopefully find stable housing when, when appropriate and, and striking that good balance. I think we've done that. And, uh, with that, the Rental Housing Association just wants to, uh, offer support for this amended bill. Thank you.

Um, recommend that we approve SB two 15 eviction record amendments.

Yeah, In favor of the motion. I, I like giving people a chance. I also like the incentive that somebody has once they're sued for evictions to come to a mutually agreeable settlement so that this can be, you know, dropped off. Because with the housing market we're in, if somebody has that black mark, it's gonna be very difficult for them moving forward. So this does seem like a good compromise to me. So I'll be voting. Aye.

I'll wa Oh, I apologize.

Yeah, thank you. Uh, I, I'll support it for the same reasons that Senator Weiler said. Also, note that I appreciate the change. 90 days is pretty quick. Um, just because, uh, there could be payments, final payments that get challenged within those 90 days and that, that can be problematic. And, um, and, and I, and I think it's just good practice. You know, 90 days is pretty quick for future landlords and considerations, so I appreciate you working with, uh, with the stakeholders and, uh, plan to support the bill.

I would, I would echo what Senator Comore said. 90 days is really quick. I I, the one year is actually uncomfortable for me, so you did good there. If you landed in a good spot, I would've been 18 months, but hey, I'll, if the, if the Utah Retinal Association is good with it, then I'm good with it, so, okay.

to hear, you do not wanna present today?

Thank you. It used to be three years in the original bill. It's in 90 days now. It's one year. Can you explain to me why it's one year rather than some other period

As we started at either 30 days or 90 days, uh, in the initial bill, uh, criminal expungement are eligible after 30 days from dismissal. Um, but the stakeholders had some concern over that initial, uh, that initial timeframe. And so one year was the agreed upon amount between the Rental Housing Association and the Utah Housing Coalition.

Thank you. I move that Senate Bill two 15, be read for a third time.

with a dismissed eviction can get that eviction expunged. It takes it from three years down to a one year time period. This is a consensus. Bill,

Thank you. I move that Senate Bill two 15 pass.

Senator Vickers Baldry, who are you? Lewin Aye. Brammer bus Aye. Colmore Aye. Escamilla Aye. Fillmore Aye. Grover Harper Aye. Kinins Aye. Sson Aye. Aye. Johnson Juab McKay Mikel Aye. Milner Aye. Musselman Owens pitcher Plum Rebe Aye. Sandal Stevenson Stratton. Yes.

Johnson Bickers er aye. Wilson Aye. Winterton President Adams

Thank you Mr. President Pro temp. Uh, yeah, there's a second sub online that I'd like to move.