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House advances dozens of measures on consent and third-reading calendars, including Internet voting pilot and utility changes
Summary
The Utah House moved a large consent calendar and third-reading package: notable final passage votes included SB 245 (Internet voting pilot for disabled voters) 61–1, SB 47 (emergency management) 65–0, SB 68 (veteran centers) 64–0, SB 92 (metal theft) 62–0, and multiple public-utility and procurement measures.
On day 43 of the legislative session, the Utah House processed a slate of consent and third‑reading items, approving a mix of technical fixes, policy clarifications and consensus bills that the body said will advance to the Senate for final consideration.
Internet voting pilot and voter-access bills: Representative Cox presented Senate Bill 245 as part of a package intended to increase voter participation. The bill expands existing allowances for electronic voting (currently limited to overseas military voters) to permit counties to opt in to provide electronic voting for disabled voters. The House approved SB 245 on final passage, 61 yeas and 1 nay.
Emergency response and veteran services: The House approved a third substitute to SB 47 to clarify private-sector roles during declared emergencies and to resolve tax and regulatory barriers that affect out‑of‑state assistance; the bill passed 65–0. Lawmakers also approved SB 68, requiring study and planning for veteran centers at universities to consolidate services for student veterans; that measure passed 64–0.
Utility and procurement measures: Second substitute SB 208 (public utility modifications), described as a negotiated net‑metering compromise supported by utilities, solar advocates and municipalities, passed after sponsor remarks. Separately, first substitute SB 67 addressed narrow public utilities adjustments for a major industrial generator and passed unanimously. The House also passed a second substitute to SB 179 to revise procurement code language, including definitions surrounding gratuities and evaluation procedures; an amendment creating a small‑purchase exception was debated and then approved by division before the bill passed 66–0.
Other technical and regulatory bills: The House approved a range of technical fixes including SB 189 (residents lien definition), SB 92 (metal theft identification requirements), and multiple health‑ and education‑related bills placed on the consent calendar. Most consent items passed by lopsided margins, and many were returned to the Senate with the Speaker Pro Tem's signature.
What happens next: Bills approved on final passage will be sent back to the Senate for consideration and any further action. Sponsors and committee staff said implementation details for some measures (notably utility rate-making tasks assigned to the Public Service Commission under SB 208) will be set through administrative processes and stakeholder proceedings.
