Utah Senate passes manufacturing grant extension, sentencing resolution and rule changes

SALT LAKE CITY — On Wednesday, Jan. 22, 2025, the Utah Senate approved three measures on its floor calendar: Senate Bill 38, which amends the sunset provisions for a manufacturing modernization grant; Senate Concurrent Resolution 1, reauthorizing publication of adult sentencing and juvenile disposition guidelines; and Senate Resolution 1, which updates internal Senate rules.

The measures moved quickly with limited debate. Senator Milner, speaking on Senate Bill 38, said the bill had not advanced the previous day because “the fiscal note was not visible. It is now visible to everyone,” and described the funding as carry-forward money from the original grant allocation. The bill passed by recorded vote and will be sent to the Utah House for consideration.

The Senate suspended its three-reading requirement to consider Senate Concurrent Resolution 1. Senator Wyler described the item as an annual reauthorization and said, “it’s just reauthorizing the sentence commission to publish a list of sentencing guidelines. And, to my knowledge, it has no opposition.” The concurrent resolution passed and will be sent to the House.

Senate Resolution 1, offered by Senator Fillmore, makes technical changes to Senate rules intended to clarify how bill strikes and wholesale replacements are processed. Fillmore explained that the change “strikes out or adds an entire section of code, you need to do it as a substitute rather than as an amendment.” The resolution passed on final passage and was returned to staff for enrolling and signature; the sponsor noted that the rule takes effect immediately on passage.

Votes at a glance

- Senate Bill 38 (Manufacturing Modernization Grant Sunset Amendments): Passed — 25 yea, 0 nay, 4 absent. Sponsor: Senator Milner. Note: Fiscal note became available before final passage; bill will be transmitted to the House for consideration.

- Senate Concurrent Resolution 1 (Authorizing adult sentencing and supervision length guidelines and juvenile disposition guidelines): Passed — 26 yea, 0 nay, 3 absent. Motion to suspend three-reading requirement made in order; sponsor: Senator Wyler. Sent to the House for concurrence.

- Senate Resolution 1 (Amendments to Senate rules): Passed — 27 yea, 0 nay, 2 absent. Sponsor: Senator Fillmore. Rule change to take effect upon passage; returned to staff for enrolling and presidential signature.

Other floor business

The clerk read several bills and resolutions introduced or transmitted to the Senate, including Senate Bill 145 (technical senate district boundary adjustment), Senate Bill 147 (youth service organizations amendments), Senate Bill 148 (court fees and administration amendments), Senate Bill 149 (natural resources operations), and Senate Joint Resolution 1 (dissolving specified justice courts). The Senate also received communications from the House transmitting multiple House bills for the Senate’s consideration; the clerk noted those measures will be referred to the Rules Committee.

The Senate adjourned and announced it would reconvene Thursday, Jan. 23, 2025, at 11 a.m.

(Reporting on recorded floor actions; no formal policy debate or committee reports on the measures were recorded during the floor session excerpt.)