Every year, there are a few no brainer bills that sometimes have the hardest time passing. One example of this is Jen Seelig’s perennial strangulation bills. I hope, hope that Julie Fisher’s (R – Fruit Heights – District 17) HB 230 – Human Trafficking Amendments.
This bill is one of those bills that is straight forward and, hence, has a uncertain future in the legislature. The bill basically says that if you are charged with human trafficking, you will be charged for each individual you smuggle or traffic across the border as opposed to just receiving one blanket charge.
This is a sound immigration bill as well as a sound human rights bill. Certainly it acts as an actual deterrent to illegal immigration (as opposed to silly drivers license laws that just inconvenience citizens), but it also recognizes the fact that some people are brought across the border to serve as either sex workers or indentured servants.
I hope this bill passes, but the legislature has a history of screwing this sort of thing up. I hope it does pass, but we will see what happens.
