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Utah House clears wide slate of bills; educator pay, health-insurance changes, and building-inspector rules among measures passed
Summary
On Feb. 29, 2008, the Utah House passed multiple bills on the third-reading calendar — including educator pay increases, health-insurance market changes, and a law authorizing private building inspectors — and referred them to the Senate. Several measures passed by clear margins after rounds of amendment and debate.
The Utah House of Representatives concluded an active floor session Feb. 29, approving a package of bills ranging from education pay to health-insurance market changes and rules for private building inspectors, then adjourning until Monday.
Members sent a series of measures to the Senate, including second substitute House Bill 212, an educator-salary adjustment bill that the sponsor described as an appropriation of a little more than $88 million to provide an equivalent $2,500 salary increase for teachers; the House passed the bill 66–0. Representative John Dougal presented the bill, saying the figures had been checked by the State Superintendent and the bill specifies which benefits are covered out of the appropriation.
Lawmakers also approved insurance- and health-related measures: second substitute House Bill 168 (Health Insurance Market Choices) passed the House 64–2 after debate on mandate relief and new product rules, and first substitute House Bill 370 (Children’s Health Insurance Program amendments) passed unanimously. House Bill 360, offering a modest tax credit for private long-term care insurance premiums (5% of premium up to $375 individual / $750 joint), passed 71–0.
On regulatory matters, the House passed second substitute House Bill 293, which authorizes private building inspectors under specified conditions, on a 48–21 vote after extended debate and a failed amendment to remove a 48‑hour city first-right-of-refusal provision. Representative Douglas Agard, sponsor, said the bill addresses inspection delays and homeowner choice.
Budget and fund adjustments also moved forward. Representative Tron Bigelow’s bill to move interest earnings on selected restricted accounts into the general fund (HB 410) passed 47–24 after members raised questions about donor expectations and fiscal impacts. Representative Bigelow said most of the funds are state dollars and that contractual donor restrictions would be honored.
Several other bills were substituted, uncircled or placed on calendars; the House also recorded routine communications from the Senate and appointed a conference committee on at least one matter. After completing the day’s business, leaders adjourned the House until 9:30 a.m. Monday.
Votes at a glance (selected final tallies reported on the House floor): HB 136 (Illegal Drug Activity Reporting System), second substitute — passed 61–0; HB 354 (appraisals for state land purchases), first substitute — passed 68–0; HB 410 (restricted accounts amendment) — passed 47–24; HB 360 (long-term care insurance credit) — passed 71–0; HB 293 (private building inspectors), second substitute, as amended — passed 48–21; HB 370 (CHIP) first substitute — passed 65–0; HB 349 (open enrollment revisions) — passed 63–1; HB 168 (Health Insurance Market Choices) second substitute — passed 64–2; HB 212 (educator salary adjustments) second substitute — passed 66–0.
The House transmitted passed bills to the Senate for further consideration and acknowledged several communications from the Senate, including messages of concurrence and conference requests. The House adjourned with leadership urging members to return with prioritization lists for bills referred back to rules.
