Senate refuses to recede on House Bill 307 wildfire funding amendments, appoints conference committee

The Utah Senate voted to refuse a House request that it recede from amendments to Second Substitute House Bill 307, a measure with wildfire funding changes, and appointed a conference committee to negotiate differences.

Megan S. Allen, chief clerk, read a communication from the House stating that the chamber had "recalled and reconsidered its actions on second substitute House Bill 307" and that "the House refused to concur with the Senate amendments to second substitute House Bill 307 wildfire funding amendments by Representative Snyder and request the Senate recede from its amendments." The communication was signed "Respectfully, Megan S. Allen, chief clerk."

Senator McKell moved that the Senate refuse to recede from its amendments to the bill. The motion passed without recorded opposition after a voice vote. The Senate then appointed a conference committee consisting of Senators McKell, Owens and Plumb to meet with a committee from the House. The committee was scheduled to meet at 5:45 p.m. in the Senate Rules room.

The Senate did not record a formal roll-call tally for the motion to refuse to recede in the transcript; the chamber decided the motion by voice vote. The House communication requesting recission and the Senate's refusal are now procedural steps that set a formal conference process to resolve the chambers' differences.

The conference committee appointment was the immediate formal follow-up; the committee will meet as scheduled to discuss the disagreements between the House and Senate versions of Second Substitute House Bill 307.