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House repeals nursing‑facility assessment and adopts technical amendment reducing an appropriation
Summary
Second substitute Senate Bill 58 removes the assessment on nursing facilities; Representative Seitz successfully moved an amendment lowering a line‑item from $1.3 million to $300,000, which the House accepted before passing the bill 68–3 and returning it to the Senate.
The Utah House approved second substitute Senate Bill 58 on Feb. 23, a measure to repeal the nursing‑facilities assessment that supporters said removes an undue tax burden on small nursing‑home operators.
Representative Dayton, speaking for the bill, said removing the tax was consistent with prior actions to eliminate a similar hospital assessment. Representative Seitz offered an amendment (amendment #3) to correct the fiscal figure on page 5, line 149 by deleting $1,300,000 and inserting $300,000; Seitz explained the change brought the number into coordination with Senate Bill 31 passed earlier. Representative Dayton accepted the amendment.
Floor speakers debated sources of funds and appropriate uses; Representative Harper said he was concerned about funding the decrease from general tax measures rather than the tobacco settlement funds used previously for hospital tax changes and stated he would oppose the bill on that basis. Proponents argued the repeal alleviates an undue burden on small businesses that operate nursing homes.
The House adopted the amendment and approved second substitute SB 58, recorded as passing with 68 yes votes and 3 no votes. The measure was referred back to the Senate for further consideration and signature.
