Potentially 'unconstitutional' bill passes House with minimal dissent

A bill that would require groups suing over a proposed state project to post a bond easily passed the House on Tuesday, despite warnings about its potential constitutional problems.

HB100 is one of the few bills to be tagged with a "constitutional note" this session, primarily because it could present a significant barrier to groups, especially environmental and nonprofit organizations, attempting to access the courts. Despite that warning, the bill passed the House 53-18 with very limited debate.

"We will gain control of a process that continues to hound this state," said Rep. Aaron Tilton, R-Springville, the bill's sponsor. "There are a number of projects in this state that are vitally necessary to move forward, and this bill will help us move them forward."

The bill attempts to reduce lawsuits that cost the state lots of money and stall projects, like what happened with the Legacy Parkway, Tilton said.