Senate advances several bills to third-reading calendars, including SB29 on involuntary medication

The Utah State Senate advanced several bills during the floor session, placing them on third-reading calendars or otherwise advancing them for further action.

SB5 (state highway designations): Reported favorably out of the Transportation and Public Safety Committee, the sponsor said the Transportation Commission worked with cities and counties on changes and provided maps to the chamber. The sponsor stated the bill alters the state road system mileage (the floor transcript contains a garbled mileage figure as read on the floor). The Senate called the question and placed SB5 on the third‑reading calendar after a roll call.

SB60 (Sunset Act amendments): Described as a compilation of sunset dates and corrections compiled with committee input, SB60 had a potential page‑10 change affecting the Board of Pardons and Parole noted; senators debated whether that change could be included. Under suspension of the 24‑hour rule, the Senate placed SB60 on the third‑reading calendar.

SB16 (discretionary trust for disabled beneficiaries): The Human Services Committee reported favorably on this bill, which builds on recent federal law affecting trusts for disabled beneficiaries. Floor remarks noted a prior $50,000 ceiling in state law and that the bill is meant to provide a clear, state‑level code provision allowing families to establish trusts to cover needs (wheelchairs, housing assistance, etc.). The Senate advanced SB16 to the third‑reading calendar after suspending the 24‑hour rule.

SB29 (involuntary medication of committed persons): The most extensive floor explanation came for SB29. Senator Montgomery said the Attorney General convened a task force after a judge’s ruling (identified in floor remarks as 'Woodland') and that concerns stemmed from constitutional questions raised in cases such as Jackson v. Indiana. The substitute bill is described as a repealer of the statutory provision governing forcible medication and would allow state hospital determinations about medication to be made by hospital policy or rule; a legislative intent statement was read to clarify that repeal should not be interpreted as a prohibition on forcible medication when appropriate. The Senate suspended the 24‑hour rule and advanced SB29 to the third‑reading calendar after a roll call.

Votes at a glance: SB5 — placed on third reading (tally reported in transcript: 23–24 ayes, no nays, several absent); SB60 — placed on third reading (24 ayes reported); SB16 — placed on third reading (26 ayes, no nays, 3 absent); SB29 — advanced under suspension of rules (25 ayes, 4 absent reported).

Why it matters: Advancing bills to third reading puts them one step closer to final passage. SB29 addresses serious due‑process and treatment issues for committed persons and was framed as a response to court rulings and a multi‑party task force; SB16 has direct implications for families of disabled beneficiaries and state Medicaid/subsidy interactions.

What’s next: The bills were placed on third‑reading calendars for final consideration in future floor action.