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Utah Senate advances dozens of House bills, tables several on fiscal notes
Summary
On Feb. 19, 2019, the Utah Senate read and advanced numerous House bills to third reading, passed several measures, and tabled others after fiscal-note concerns. Major items included driver-license changes, construction code updates, and bills establishing special license plates and wildfire grants.
The Utah State Senate cleared a long docket Feb. 19, advancing multiple House bills to third reading or passing them on the floor while tabling others for fiscal review.
Among the bills read or passed on the second- and third-reading calendars were House Bill 199 (post-employment restrictions), which the Senate read for a third time and passed (announced as receiving 26 yea votes, 0 nay, 3 absent), and House Bill 142 (building construction amendments) allowing use of mass-laminated Utah timber products; HB142 likewise cleared the Senate (26 yea, 0 nay, 3 absent).
Other measures the Senate moved forward included House Bill 117 (Childcare Licensing Act amendments) allowing a nurse practitioner or physicians assistant to serve on the childcare licensing board if a pediatrician cannot be found (passed on third reading), and House Bill 36, which requires clerks of district court to report individuals judged mentally unfit to possess firearms to the Bureau of Criminal Identification, and directs BCI to submit that information to the National Instant Criminal Background Check System; HB36 passed the Senate with 27 yea and 0 nay votes.
Some bills were tabled on third reading because of fiscal notes. The Senate tabled House Bill 178 (health-care charges transparency tool) after sponsor testimony that the immediate fiscal note was small ($7,700) but a potential trigger could create larger unfunded costs. The Senate also tabled first substitute HB135 (wildfire-preparedness fund/grants) after a fiscal note of roughly $100,000 was identified.
Votes at a glance (selected items recorded on the floor): - House Bill 199 (post-employment restrictions): Passed third reading (announced 26-0; 3 absent). - House Bill 142 (building construction, mass-lumber use): Passed third reading (announced 26-0; 3 absent). - First substitute HB117 (Childcare Licensing Act Amendments): Passed third reading (announced 26-0; 3 absent). - House Bill 178 (health-care transparency): Tabled on third for fiscal note (fiscal note mentioned $7,700; larger potential trigger not funded). - First substitute HB135 (wildfire preparedness fund): Tabled on third (fiscal note ~ $100,000). - House Bill 36 (BCI reporting of persons unfit to buy firearms): Passed third reading (announced 27-0; 2 absent).
Why it matters: The actions change statutory text across many policy areas from construction standards and childcare licensing to public-safety reporting and wildfire preparedness funding. Several of the items have fiscal implications that prompted tabling until further review.
Next steps: Bills that passed the Senate will be transmitted to the House for its consideration; tabled bills were placed on the third-reading table calendar pending fiscal review.
