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Senate approves multiple bills on varied topics; population estimates, special districts and exemptions move to House
Summary
On Feb. 23 the Utah Senate passed a series of bills (including SB 165 on local population estimates, SB 146 on special-district appointment procedures, SB 160 on insurer exemptions and others) by voice or roll-call votes and sent them to the House for consideration.
The Utah State Senate adopted a batch of measures on Feb. 23, sending several to the House after unanimous or near-unanimous votes.
Notable actions included: Senate Bill 165, authorizing the Utah Population Estimates Committee to make official estimates for cities under 5,000 after federal cutbacks; Senator Watson said the change was necessary because some funding streams depend on accurate counts. The Senate recorded 26 ayes, no nays and three absent and sent the bill to the House.
Senate Bill 146, a technical change to appointment procedures for special improvement districts intended to ensure compliance with open-meeting and notification requirements, passed unanimously. Senator Watson described it as a small clarifying change needed as special improvement districts have expanded.
Senate Bill 160, restoring an exemption for certain nonprofit educational insurers (noting portability concerns tied to retirement programs such as TIAA/CREF), passed 26–0 with three absent. Senate Bill 161, extending workers’ compensation status to National Guard members on state active duty, was also passed and sent to the House.
Other measures placed on calendars or passed included bills on vehicle-width rules (HB 98), employee leasing company regulation (SB 188), property-tax residential definitions and enterprise zone amendments. Several committee reports were adopted and multiple bills were placed on the second-reading and third-reading calendars.
The Senate also handled routine business: approving the journal, receiving communications from the House and adopting committee recommendations to place bills on consent calendars. Several measures were adopted by voice vote with no recorded opposition.
Next steps for the passed bills are consideration by the House or placement on third-reading calendars where noted.
