Utah Senate advances a package of bills on dental licensing, local fees, public safety and other issues

The Utah State Senate on Wednesday approved a set of House bills addressing dental-practice rules, local government fee limits, criminal-code changes and updates to state data-privacy and municipal authority.

The action came during a long floor session in which senators moved multiple bills from the concurrence and second-reading calendars and then voted on a series of measures under suspension of the rules. Sponsors described many measures as technical or stakeholder-driven updates; some drew substantive floor discussion before final votes.

Votes at a glance (items recorded on the Senate floor today):

- Third substitute House Bill 372, Dental Practice Amendments — Sponsor: Senator McCall. The Senate voted to pass the bill under suspension of the rules; final announcement on the floor reported “having received 25 yea votes, 2 nay votes, 2 being absent.” The sponsor said the bill “modernize[s] the Dental Malpractice Act,” adds teledentistry language, clarifies scopes of practice for hygienists and expands certain licensed functions.

- Second substitute House Bill 454, Local Government Fees Modifications — Sponsor: Senator Brammer. The bill passed on the floor (the president announced “14 yea votes, passes this body”). Sponsors said the substitute narrowed transportation-utility-fee exemptions and added transparency measures; the floor summary said it prohibits cities from using those fees for broadband or public safety except for limited…