Panel favors increase in statute of limitations

The Senate Judiciary, Law Enforcement and Criminal Justice Committee on Tuesday unanimously approved a bill that would increase the statute of limitations for rape from four to 12 years.

Sen. Ed Mayne, D-West Valley, sponsor of SB177, said new technology and DNA testing have made it possible to "determine people who have perpetrated these kinds of activities on others in the past."

The committee also voted to move to the Senate floor HB55, which would enhance the penalty for possession of a controlled substance, for those who had previously been involved in distribution or manufacturing.

Rep. Brad Dee, R-Ogden, said he is working on an amendment in a new bill file that would make any illegal drug found in the body equivalent to possession of a controlled substance; and said the fiscal note of his bill had been reduced from $500,000 to nothing.