The Utah Senate convened on January 23, 2024, to discuss and vote on several key legislative bills during the 2024 General Legislative Session. Among the most significant discussions were Senate Bill 66, Senate Bill 76, and Senate Bill 70, each addressing critical legal and procedural amendments.

Senate Bill 66, introduced by Senator Kwan, aims to amend criminal offense laws by closing a potential loophole related to artificial intelligence technology. The bill passed unanimously with 27 votes in favor and no opposition, moving on to the House for further consideration.

Senate Bill 76, presented by Senator Harper, focuses on evidence retention in felony cases. This bill clarifies the processes for retaining, disposing of, and returning evidence, which has been a topic of stakeholder discussions for over two years. It also passed with strong support, receiving 29 votes in favor.

Senate Bill 70, introduced by Senator Wyler, proposes the addition of nine judges to address the backlog in Utah's courts, particularly in rapidly growing areas like Utah County. The bill carries a fiscal note of approximately $4.5 million and aims to expedite the judicial process. It also passed with 28 votes in favor.

Other notable bills included Senate Bill 39, which amends water shareholder laws and passed with 29 votes, and Senate Bill 74, which aligns weight limits at shared ports of entry between Utah and Arizona, also passing unanimously.

The session also featured personal recognitions, including a warm welcome to Jenny Graviette, a teacher from Davis County, and the South Valley Chamber Junior Women in Business, highlighting community engagement in legislative processes.

Overall, the Senate's actions reflect a commitment to addressing pressing legal and procedural issues while fostering community involvement in governance. All passed bills will now move to the House for further deliberation.