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House backs bill letting state employees convert 20 hours of annual leave into deferred compensation
Summary
Lawmakers approved HB241, allowing eligible state employees with at least 320 hours in their leave bank to convert 20 hours per year into deferred compensation; debate focused on fiscal note estimates (from actuals of ~$311,000 up to a possible $1.4 million) and management of agency budgets.
The Utah House on Monday passed HB241, which allows state employees to convert up to 20 hours per year into deferred compensation if they have accumulated at least 320 hours of annual leave.
Sponsor Representative Gallons said the change provides a way for employees, particularly in public safety, to preserve leave that otherwise might be lost due to operational demands. "This bill would enable them as they accumulate leave to look at the possibility of putting that leave into a deferred compensation plan," Gallons said.
Floor debate centered on the fiscal note. Representative Curtis said actual last-year calculations would have cost approximately $311,000 but the executive agencies estimated a potential $1.4 million fiscal impact if many employees used the option; he argued managers could address much of the cost by scheduling leave and managing budgets. "It could cost $1,400,000, but it can still be handled within existing budgets," Curtis said while urging a one-time fiscal approach to the first year.
The House adopted the bill and the clerk announced final passage; the measure will be transmitted to the Senate for further consideration.
Next steps: The bill moves to the Senate; any fiscal implementation will depend on agency budget management and further fiscal analysis in the Senate and by the executive branch.
