Utah Senate advances bills on school seismic studies, tax flexibility and public‑assistance rules on day 38

On March 6, 2013, the Utah State Senate completed day 38 of the 2013 legislative session, approving a long list of bills and moving others for further action. The chamber recorded roll‑call votes on several high‑profile measures — including a requirement for seismic safety studies for older school buildings, temporary flexibility for school‑district property tax revenue, and compliance changes to public‑assistance electronic‑benefit rules tied to federal law — and recessed for caucus lunch with plans to reconvene at 2:10 p.m.

The most consequential measures addressed education, local tax flexibility and public‑safety procedures. First Substitute House Bill 278, which requires school districts to conduct or update seismic safety evaluations for school buildings built before 1975 when a district seeks a general‑obligation bond on or after July 1, 2013, passed on a roll call, 25 yeas and 1 nay. "First substitute House Bill 278 requires school district[s] to conduct or update a seismic safety evaluation of school buildings built before 1975," said Senator Jenkins, who presented the bill and noted that completed studies must be submitted to the Utah Seismic Safety Commission.

The Senate debated and amended House Bill 2 46, which…