Utah Senate advances administrative‑rules reauthorization, school‑safety and behavioral‑health measures; rejects vehicle‑registration refund and pari‑mutuel bid

The Utah State Senate on Thursday approved several bills affecting state administrative rules, school safety, corrections health care and behavioral health funding, while voting down proposals to expand vehicle registration fee refunds and to legalize pari‑mutuel wagering. Lawmakers also circled or recalled several high‑profile bills for further fiscal review.

Senator McKay moved the annual reauthorization of the state's administrative rules, saying, "This is the annual reauthorization of the laundry list of administrative rules we have in the state of Utah." The chamber approved the second substitute for House Bill 75, 27 yeas, 0 nays, 2 absent; the measure will be returned to the House for further consideration.

The Senate also approved legislation aimed at regulatory oversight and school safety. First substitute House Bill 474, which raises the threshold for a "substantial fiscal impact" review from $1,000,000 to $2,000,000, passed 27'yeas, 0 nays, 2 absent. Sixth substitute House Bill 40, a school‑safety bill that narrows some ballistic‑window requirements to school entry points and extends flexibility for playground fencing and needs assessments, passed 25 yeas, 0 nays, 4 absent.

Lawmakers approved criminal code recodification (second substitute House Bill 21, 29 yeas, 0 nays) and measures aimed at correctional behavioral…