We caught the webcast just as it was beginning. What follows is essentially a live blogging of today's hearing...
The Utah House has just begun deliberations on HB 353, the video game/movie bill originally crafted by disbarred attorney Jack Thompson. The first order of business was to pass amendments to the measure.
With amendments passed the discussion on the bill has begun. Rep. Michael Morley, bill sponsor, is now speaking. Morley can be seen in the screenshot at left, taken moments ago from the webcast of the hearing. View it live.
So far, the legislators who have spoken are uniformly behind the measure, which appears to enjoy bi-partisan support. Speaking on behalf of the bill:
- Rep. Brian King (D)
- Rep. Sheryl Allen (R) - Allen discussed the growing importance of Utah's video game industry
- Rep. Kraig Powell (R)
- Rep. Steven Mascaro (R) - wanted clarification on how bill language affects retailers
- Rep. Susan Duckworth (D) - commended Morley for making amendments and reminded the body of parental responsibility
Rep. Morley, summarizing, said that "retailers" are no longer opposed to the bill, which indicates that the amendments may have watered down the potential impact of HB 353. Morley said that some movie owners also have dropped their opposition.
Voting now occurring... HB 353 passes 70-2. The measure will now move to the Utah Senate for consideration.
Thompson has just e-mailed a comment:
70-2. This is a huge victory for parents everywhere. The bill, by the amendments we fashioned, is better. Now we go on to the Senate, where I expect passage, with the Governor then likely to sign it into law!
UPDATE: The amendments link has been updated to incorporate the most recent changes (Feb. 27).
UPDATE 2: We have learned that the Entertainment Merchants Association, which represents video game retailers, remains opposed to the bill. Morley's comment concerning retailers dropping their opposition was likely referring to the Utah retailers' trade group.
Comments
Re: BREAKING: Jack Thompson Bill Under Discussion in Utah ...
JT's going behind the parents to make the children buy such M-rated games
Watching JT on GP is just like watching an episode of Jerry springer only as funny as the fights
America has just became its own version of the Jerry Springer Show after a bizarre moment in Florida involving a carnival worker.
Re: BREAKING: Jack Thompson Bill Under Discussion in Utah ...
In my correspondence with my Utah leglislator (Lorrie Fowlke, R-Orem, UT) it seemed that most legislators don't have a clue that this bill was written by Jack Thompson, who he is, or that this is targeting the video game industry. Most see this as simply a 'truth in advertising' bill and don't see any undertones in the language of the bill that are directed at the video game industry.
Re: BREAKING: Jack Thompson Bill Under Discussion in Utah ...
And you expected them to? I wish the intent were more apparent than it really was. But this is the only way John Bruce could get a "constitutional" bill passed. Make it vague and broad. Of course that can also get it declared unconstitutional if you are not careful.
E. Zachary Knight
Oklahoma City Chapter of the ECA
http://www.theeca.com/chapters_oklahoma
E. Zachary Knight
Divine Knight Gaming
OK Game Devs
Random Tower
Re: BREAKING: Jack Thompson Bill Under Discussion in Utah House
Passed in the House, passed in the Senate, so far, so good. Oh, look, the Governor signed it! It is law! Praise God and all His... Huh? What's this, now?
*gasp*
Oh, no! The Supreme Court, those heathens, they declared it unconstitutional! Let them wait, they'll be getting God's judgment soon enough when I get my law license back!
Yes, Jack. The above is exactly what you would say. Practice what you preach, grow up, and let the parents you claim to be fighting for take it from here.
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"A Chrono Trigger is anything that unleashes its will or desire to change history!" -Gaspar
Re: BREAKING: Jack Thompson Bill Under Discussion in Utah ...
And for those who haven't been keeping up with the events as they transpire... GP has done an article talking to constitutional experts who say that this bill is indeed constitutional; though it did have some other legal hurdles to get by which may or may not have been taken care of by the amendments... the bill is also not nearly as hard hitting as previous bills... all this is the reason why retailers seem to be backing down on opposition; no reason to fight something that is apparently constitutional and relatively toothless to them
Re: BREAKING: Jack Thompson Bill Under Discussion in Utah ...
"GP has done an article talking to constitutional experts who say that this bill is indeed constitutional."
Odd. I recall GP interviewing a legal expert who said the bill was likely unconstitutional, though that was before the amendments that turned it into an even more pointless bill.
Re: BREAKING: Jack Thompson Bill Under Discussion in Utah House
So the ESRB has the ratings removed from any game being shipped into Utah...problem solved!
Re: BREAKING: Jack Thompson Bill Under Discussion in Utah ...
The ESRB is a voluntary system anyway. It'd be up to the game producer to remove the rating, and they probably wouldn't do it solely at the request of one state's game sellers.
Nope, the solution is still the same as it's always been: don't advertise that you won't sell to minors.
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The Mammon Industry
Fangamer
Re: BREAKING: Jack Thompson Bill Under Discussion in Utah ...
"advertises that the person will not provide a good or service labeled with an age restriction or recommendation to a buyer subject to the age restriction or recommendation; and provides that good or service to a buyer subject to the age restriction or recommendation."
Doesn't say if the rating is voluntary or not, if the game has a age restriction or recommendation, it would fall under this law.
Re: BREAKING: Jack Thompson Bill Under Discussion in Utah ...
read it again, SimonBob said "...the solution is still the same as it's always been: don't advertise that you won't sell to minors."
岩「…Where do masochists go when they die?」
岩「…」
Re: BREAKING: Jack Thompson Bill Under Discussion in Utah ...
Or even simpler, stop shipping to Utah, period.
Re: BREAKING: Jack Thompson Bill Under Discussion in Utah House
It still sounds like the movie theaters are going to get screwed over.
Re: BREAKING: Jack Thompson Bill Under Discussion in Utah ...
"Rep. Susan Duckworth - commended Morley for making amendments and reminded the body of parental responsibility"
Looks like Jack can add Susan Duckworth to the conspiracy list. Jack has NEVER advocated parental responsibility.
Re: BREAKING: Jack Thompson Bill Under Discussion in Utah ...
Wow. I looked at the amendments and it seems like nothing's changed. It's quite humorous, knowing that this bill may actually help underaged gamers purchased adult-rated games in the long run.
Go ahead, Utah. Pass the bill. We'll see the effects soon enough.
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Game on, brothers and sisters.
Re: BREAKING: Jack Thompson Bill Under Discussion in Utah House
With all the changes to the bill since introduction, can this really be considered John Bruce's bill anymore?
E. Zachary Knight
Oklahoma City Chapter of the ECA
http://www.theeca.com/chapters_oklahoma
E. Zachary Knight
Divine Knight Gaming
OK Game Devs
Random Tower
Re: BREAKING: Jack Thompson Bill Under Discussion in Utah ...
But I thought you guys interviewed someone, and they (can't recall who, sorry) said that he was just 'taking credit where it isn't due' as par for the course for the unemployed hobo.
300 Episodes and counting: http://www.orangeloungeradio.com/
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Re: BREAKING: Jack Thompson Bill Under Discussion in Utah ...
I predict an appearance on Fox News when the bill is passed with JT talking about he is taking the fight to the game companies, being a christian martyr, and a plug about his book (which at the major book store I work part time at doesn't even have it listed for sell).
Re: BREAKING: Jack Thompson Bill Under Discussion in Utah ...
Last time I was in a book store I searched every last section several times and didn't find one copy, then I asked the clerks about it and they were either like "By who?" or "We had to recycle then ,they weren't selling".
If I see a copy with a bargain sticker on it, I'm taking a picture and emailing it.
Re: BREAKING: Jack Thompson Bill Under Discussion in Utah House
"The bill, by the amendments we fashioned, is better."
It would appear that he thinks so...
***Homicide-free video gaming since 1972!***
Re: BREAKING: Jack Thompson Bill Under Discussion in Utah ...
He will take full credit, of course, regardless of how edited it is.
Re: BREAKING: Jack Thompson Bill Under Discussion in Utah ...
That is the annoying part.
This bill is comletely harmess (though a waste of taxpayer money), esp after that 'as long as you train your employies to check id' exemption.
But it does mean that we will have to listen to JT boasting like a kid who has used the big-boy potty for the first time. Only with less impact on the world.
Re: BREAKING: Jack Thompson Bill Under Discussion in Utah ...
Not ot mention the likely constant claism that he and the eagle forum are setting up stings throughout the state to bust the retailers, though I doubt the eagle forum half cares about his "cause", they likely just want to drain money to prevent the state from helping people they don't like.
Re: BREAKING: Jack Thompson Bill Under Discussion in Utah House
Sounds like fun. I wonder how man people won't vote for it. My bet goes to 3. Any takers?
E. Zachary Knight
Oklahoma City Chapter of the ECA
http://www.theeca.com/chapters_oklahoma
E. Zachary Knight
Divine Knight Gaming
OK Game Devs
Random Tower
Re: BREAKING: Jack Thompson Bill Under Discussion in Utah House
2 for me...Maybe even 20, But seeing how i heard from ya that most of the utah area thompson was in is strictlly religous,And maybe he could have mysterious support, Maybe the self-indulged hypo's from the eagle forum.
Re: BREAKING: Jack Thompson Bill Under Discussion in Utah House
You win but with an '*' You bet on two differnet numbers so therefore any prize you may have recieved had there been a prize is now null an void.
E. Zachary Knight
Oklahoma City Chapter of the ECA
http://www.theeca.com/chapters_oklahoma
E. Zachary Knight
Divine Knight Gaming
OK Game Devs
Random Tower
Re: BREAKING: Jack Thompson Bill Under Discussion in Utah House
70-2. Meh, he's close enough.
It makes me giggle though. JT's parading around like a British Football fan, after beating an opposing team, going around screaming numbers in a drunken chanting slur.
Re: BREAKING: Jack Thompson Bill Under Discussion in Utah House
Don't know how many won't vote, but it's going to pass for sure.