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Senate passes multiple bills, hears State Fair testimony and recognizes Olympic guests
Summary
In addition to the capital bonding bill, the Senate passed Substitute Senate Bill 167, House Bill 397 and Substitute Senate Bill 201 (military leave/insurance provisions) and heard testimony from State Fair administrator Jackie Noakes; the floor also recognized a Bulgarian Olympic Committee guest.
The Utah Senate advanced and passed several measures during the floor session.
Early in the session the Clerk announced that Substitute Senate Bill 167 passed on reconsideration with a vote of 26 ayes, 2 nays and 1 absent; the Clerk said the bill would be sent to the House. The chamber later took up House Bill 397, which passed on a roll call showing 16 ayes and 13 nays. Substitute Senate Bill 201, amended to allow state agencies to pay health, dental and basic life insurance premiums and to grant 15 days of military leave to employees activated for Operation Desert Shield and Desert Storm, passed unanimously as announced by the Clerk with "26 ayes, no nays, 3 being absent." The sponsor said the insurance provision creates no new fiscal impact because the money had been budgeted before Desert Storm.
The Senate also heard brief personal-privilege recognitions: Senator Beatty asked Ivan Slobkov, a member of the Bulgarian Olympic Committee, to stand and welcomed Olympic committee visitors; Senator McAllister offered appreciation for Alrick Marin's work on a local project. Jackie Noakes, administrator of the State Fair, addressed the Committee of the Whole about Fair Park restoration needs, including testimony that the Coliseum seating is currently limited to about 2,000 by fire code and that full restoration would cost an estimated $5.2 million.
Procedure and scheduling notes: senators moved bills to the third-reading calendar and suspended the 24-hour rule to allow the education budget to be printed on deadline. The Senate adjourned and set a time certain for reconvening the following day at 8 a.m.
Votes at a glance: Substitute Senate Bill 167 — 26 ayes, 2 nays, 1 absent; House Bill 397 — 16 ayes, 13 nays; Substitute Senate Bill 201 — 26 ayes, 0 nays, 3 absent. Several bills (including SB 238) were sent to the House after final passage in the Senate.
The session closed with scheduling announcements, a Republican leadership meeting noted for later, and adjournment until 8 a.m. the next day.
