Senate moves several consent bills, forwards motor-insurance proof bill and recesses for caucus

The Utah Senate handled routine floor business on Friday morning, approving several consent-calendar bills, advancing bills to third reading and setting committee schedules before recessing for caucus and lunch.

On the consent calendar the body approved House Bill 175, which places a sunset date on the Coordinating Council; the chair recorded the vote as 19 ayes, no nays, with 10 absent as announced by the clerk. House Bill 91, which clarifies that a county's "legislative body" can grant veteran property tax exemptions where commissions have been replaced by councils, was also approved and recorded by the clerk as 21 ayes and 8 absent. The floor later recalled HB 91 to the consent calendar by motion.

Senators placed several bills on the third-reading calendar. SB 114 (Bookcliff Conservation Initiative appropriations) and SB 121 (Industrial Assistance Fund) were announced for third reading scheduling. Senator David Steele presented SB 133, which authorizes officers to request proof of motor vehicle insurance and adds a provision allowing renewed-policy notices to serve as proof when an insurance certificate is not in the vehicle. After a brief presentation the Senate called the question and the clerk announced SB 133 "shows 24 ayes" with 5 absent; the bill was placed on the third-reading calendar.

Leaders announced a schedule of caucuses, committee meetings and a reconvening time for the floor. The Senate recessed for caucus and lunch, to reconvene at the time announced by leadership.

The session's procedural steps — enrolling, forwarding to the governor and committee scheduling — were carried out in accordance with standard chamber practice.