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House unanimously approves amendments to State Personnel Management Act to expand training and allow market-based awards
Summary
First substitute House Bill 251, responding to a Utah Public Employees Association audit, would require more manager training and permit market-based hiring and incentive bonuses for state agencies. The House passed the measure 70–0 and will transmit it to the Senate.
The Utah House on Jan. 24 unanimously approved first substitute House Bill 251, amendments to the Utah State Personnel Management Act intended to increase training for managers and give state agencies flexibility to offer market-based awards and hiring bonuses.
Sponsor Representative Dawe said the bill responds to an audit by the Utah Public Employees Association, which found many managers had not been properly trained in termination and disciplinary procedures. "What they're asking for, quite simply, is that we improve the amount of training that we have," Dawe said. He added the bill gives the Department of Human Resource Management and agencies flexibility to offer incentive and hiring bonuses to compete in high-tech labor markets.
On the floor members asked whether the change applied across state government and whether there was any fiscal impact. The sponsor and colleagues said the provision applies to state employees broadly and that the fiscal note is $0 because the bill authorizes flexibility within existing department budgets rather than additional appropriations.
The House opened the vote on the first substitute and the clerk announced 70 yes, 0 no; the bill passed and will be transmitted to the Senate for consideration.
Next steps: The bill moves to the Senate. Implementation will be managed by DHRM and affected agencies if and when the measure is enacted.
