House advances several bills to second reading; recesses until 1 p.m.

The Utah House of Representatives opened its morning session with a prayer and the Pledge of Allegiance led by Representative Lou Shirtliff. The chamber then proceeded with routine business, including the public reading of bills and the announcement of several newly listed measures.

House Bill 5003 and the first substitute to House Bill 5002 were publicly read and entered on the journal. Clerks announced several additional bills placed on the board: House Bill 5005 (repeal of an unfunded consumer hearing panel), listed with sponsor Matt Throckmorton; House Bill 5006 (individual income tax: estimated tax payments), listed with sponsor Jackie Biskupski; and House Bill 5008 (consolidation of divisions of mental health and substance abuse), listed with sponsor Jack Sites. According to clerks, the bills will be forwarded to the Office of Legislative Research and the General Counsel for enrolling.

The floor took a procedural step on the three newly posted bills. A motion was made under suspension of the rules to consider House Bills 5005, 5006 and 5008 read for the second time and placed on the calendar for third reading. The motion was decided by voice vote on the floor and the presiding officer announced the motion passed. The record does not list a mover or a seconder for the suspension motion in the transcript.

Members were told staff in Legislative Research expected to have copies of the updated bills, reflecting subappropriations committee budget changes, available within roughly an hour so representatives could review the texts before afternoon business. The House recessed for lunch and caucuses and reconvened work was scheduled to resume at 1:00 p.m. Republican members were instructed to caucus in room 303.

Representative Lou Shirtliff led the pledge: "I pledge allegiance to the flag of the United States of America and to the Republic for which it stands, one nation under God, indivisible, with liberty and justice for all."