Get Full Government Meeting Transcripts, Videos, & Alerts Forever!
Get email alerts on the Session Roundup topic
No spam. Unsubscribe anytime.
Final-day roundup: House passes transportation, retirement, property-tax and other bills before adjourning sine die
Summary
On its final day, the House adopted conference reports and passed multiple bills, including HB96 (charter school retirement participation), HB164 (migratory bird protections), HB185 (transportation amendments), SB188 (electric service districts), SB131 (law-enforcement service districts), SB213 (restaurant nutrition labeling) and SB65 (property-tax notice amendments); committees were appointed to notify the Governor and Senate and the House adjourned sine die.
The Utah House concluded its 2009 general session with a flurry of final votes, approving multiple bills and appointing committees to notify the Governor and Senate that the House had finished its business.
Key votes and outcomes included:
- First substitute HB 96 (state retirement system participation for charter schools): House concurred with Senate amendments and passed (71 yes, 0 no). Representative Christine Watkins explained technical changes required to align language with earlier retirement legislation.
- Third substitute HB 164 (migratory bird production areas): House concurred after removing eminent-domain provisions and passed (67 yes, 3 no).
- Third substitute HB 185 (transportation amendments): The joint conference committee recommended replacing the earlier substitute; Representative W. Harper said the committee sought equitable distribution of funds, adjusted bond terms for Salt Lake County and preserved key projects (e.g., North Temple Viaduct); the bill passed (68 yes, 2 no).
- First substitute SB 228 (prohibition on Internet/mail-order sales of tobacco products): Sponsor said the bill requires licensed dealers to prevent tax evasion and underage purchases; the House passed (65 yes, 1 no).
- Second substitute SB 272 (driver-license sanctions): Passed 38–37 after extended debate (see separate article).
- SB 188 (improvement district providing electric service): Representative Rebecca Lockhart said the bill enables Kane and Garfield Counties to create an electric service district to service remote areas; the House passed (73 yes, 0 no).
- Second substitute SB 131 (law enforcement service in local districts and interlocal entities): Sponsor said the bill allows voluntary special service districts for consolidated law enforcement in counties of the first class; opponents raised concerns about accountability and removal of election requirements; the House passed (56 yes, 18 no).
- SB 213 (restaurant nutrition labeling): Sponsor explained the bill would prevent a patchwork of local regulations and bring uniformity; the bill passed (51 yes, 20 no).
- First substitute SB 65 (property tax notice and hearing provisions): Sponsor described changes to align truth-in-taxation notices and hearings with completed budgets and to improve public understanding; the House passed unanimously (73 yes, 0 no).
In final floor business Representative Garn moved to strike enacting clauses on remaining House and Senate bills and to authorize appointing committees to notify the Governor and close business. The committees to wait upon the Governor and Senate were appointed. House leaders thanked staff and announced resources (bills passed, voting records and committee minutes) would be available on the legislative website. The House adjourned sine die.
What happens next: Several bills passed the House and were returned to the Senate for signatures or further action; committee notification to the Governor was completed and the legislature adjourned for the session.
