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House passes major appropriations bills after amendments, including school finance increases
Summary
The House debated and approved appropriations and school finance measures on March 2, 1998, adopting education funding increases (WPU to $1,854; about $103 million new education dollars including $6.3M for textbooks and $7.6M for technology), multiple committee-led amendments, and recorded final passage votes for key bills.
The Utah House of Representatives advanced and recorded passage of major budget measures on March 2, 1998, including the chamber's consideration of the Senate appropriations package and a separate school finance bill.
On the floor, sponsors described broad appropriations and highlighted education funding. The Minimum School Program (Senate Bill 3) set the weighted pupil unit (WPU) at $1,854, a 3.5% increase, and sponsors said the package represents more than $103,000,000 in new educational dollars with a mix of ongoing and one-time allocations. Specific line items discussed during the floor presentation included $6,300,000 in one-time funding for textbooks and instructional materials, $7,600,000 for technology (a mix of ongoing and one-time), $1,900,000 added for concurrent enrollment, and $1,000,000 for transportation. The sponsor said some items (for example, technology and textbooks) included one-time components and other ongoing amounts.
Lawmakers adopted a number of amendments on the floor. Representative Cheryl Allen's amendment altered language for a pilot "Computers for Schools" program, changing a line from "provide ongoing funding" to "shall consider providing ongoing funding" so the 1999 Legislature will formally consider future funding if the pilot succeeds. Floor debate focused on whether such intent language unduly obligates future legislatures or simply ensures consideration; advocates said the change was meant to ensure evaluation and give the program a chance to be considered in 1999.
During consideration of the Senate appropriations package (presented on the House floor as Senate Bill 1 / the appropriations act), subcommittees summarized priorities and adjustments across commerce, corrections, higher education, health and human services, transportation and natural resources. Notable allocations referenced in floor remarks included targeted funding for autism preschool centers in Davis, Weber and Utah counties, additional training for youth corrections officers and funds for out-of-state placements for some youth programs, and $561,000,000 put into a Centennial Fund referenced by the transportation subcommittee.
Floor votes were recorded for several measures. Senate Bill 3 (Minimum School Program amendments) was reported passed by the House with 71 yes votes and 2 no votes. House Bill 1 (a supplemental appropriation referenced on the floor) was recorded as passing the chamber with 69 yes votes and 2 no votes. Sponsors said the appropriations package overall was the result of extensive committee work and multiple small amendments on the floor were used to reallocate funds where needed.
What happens next: Bills approved by the House will be returned to the Senate as required. Sponsors said they expected additional committee follow-up on specific line items and that some adjustments would be revisited in subsequent appropriations action.
Speakers quoted here are identified by the titles used on the House floor transcript.
