House places supplemental appropriations bill on third-reading calendar in special session

Representative Jeff Alexander, sponsor of House Bill 4,001, told the Utah House on May 21, 2002, that the supplemental appropriations package being considered in a fourth special session would address a fiscal-year 2002 budget shortfall. "This is our, once again, our supplemental Appropriations Act," Alexander said as members placed the bill on the third-reading calendar.

The bill, identified in session as House Bill 4,001 (Supplemental Appropriations Act 3), was read into the record and, by unanimous voice action on a motion under suspension of the rules, was read for a second time and set at the top of the House third-reading calendar. Alexander summarized key dollar amounts, saying the package involves "only $68,000,000," and that a previously omitted transfer of $45,000,000 from the state's rainy-day fund is included. He also described a $70,000,000 bonding transfer that he said would be tied to accounts in this bill and accompanied by a bonding bill expected from the Senate later in the evening.

The session opened with routine organizational business: members affirmed the House's prior organization for the special session, adopted the same House and joint rules as used in the 2002 general session, and authorized the Speaker to appoint a small committee to "wait upon" the governor and notify him the legislature was organized. The Lieutenant Governor's certification of Governor Michael O. Leavitt's proclamation calling the special session was read, which listed as the primary purpose "to fund the fiscal year 2002 budget shortfall" and to consider any supplemental communications from the governor.

Procedural clarification interrupted consideration when members noted conflicting scripts for the motion to consider the bill; after that was resolved Representative Garn moved to consider House Bill 4,001 and to suspend the rules for its immediate placement on the third-reading calendar. The motion passed. The Madam Reading Clerk then read the bill aloud as required by the rules.

Members also handled attendance and logistics: the roll was re-marked after a reported computer error, the Clerk noted 53 members present in the chamber plus three members with the Senate (56 present total at that point), and a committee reported that it had waited upon the governor and had been admitted to speak with him. The House recessed until 6:10 p.m. to continue business later in the evening.

The House did not record a roll-call vote on the substantive contents of House Bill 4,001 during the portion of the session captured in the transcript; the bill was placed for third reading and further legislative steps were expected later in the special session.