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Senate advances package of bills to House; senior‑center funding and assistive‑technology measures set for further action
Summary
The Utah Senate cleared a wide range of measures on Feb. 7, 1996 — advancing budget and policy bills to the House, moving senior‑center and assistive‑technology funding to third‑reading calendars, and narrowly approving a taxicab sales‑tax exemption.
The Utah State Senate moved a broad slate of bills on Feb. 7, 1996, sending multiple measures to the House and placing several appropriations and program bills on the third‑reading calendar.
Clerks reported communications from the House adding numerous bills for committee assignment, and the Senate disposed of many items by unanimous voice or roll-call votes. On the consent calendar, House Bill 42 (money‑laundering amendment) was approved unanimously with a recorded 24 ayes and will be signed and returned to the House for engrossing.
Among Senate measures advanced were Senate Bill 51 (driver license fee accounting), Senate Bill 96 (judges’ mandatory retirement changes), SJR 8 (joint rules amendments), Substitute SB 58 (Olympic license plates) and Senate Bill 114 (radio access line surcharge for 911). Most of those passed overwhelmingly — for example, SB51 and SB96 each recorded 27 ayes and no nays publicly on the floor.
The body also took up several committee bills: SB102 (adoption‑expense income tax deduction) and SB103 (property tax treatment for new cities) were advanced after brief sponsor explanations; SB64 (limited liability company amendments), SB90 (depository institutions technical corrections) and SB135 (workers’ compensation coverage changes) likewise moved forward and will be transmitted to the House.
Substitute Senate Bill 50, exempting taxicab riders from sales tax, passed on a closer vote (20 ayes, 8 nays, 1 absent) after senators discussed fiscal impacts and fiscal‑note estimates. Sponsor Senator Stewart said the measure will primarily affect leasing costs for cab operators and cited a fiscal estimate of about $117,600 for FY 1997.
On the House bill side, House Bill 35 (senior citizens center funding) — an $800,000 supplemental appropriation for renovations and capital improvements administered as competitive grants with a 25% local match — was reported favorably and placed on the third‑reading calendar after discussion of funding priorities and matching rules. First substitute to House Bill 94 (assistive technology services) drew sponsor support as a continuation of federal grant efforts and was placed on the third‑reading calendar after receiving 25 yay votes.
Other substantive items (including the first substitute to House Bill 85, the Centennial Cultural Facility Act) generated extended debate about process, funding mechanism and concurrence with House amendments; that bill was circled and tabled for further action so the bodies can reconcile amendments and fiscal questions.
The Senate adjourned with instructions to reconvene at 10 a.m. the following day. Many items passed by the Senate will now be considered by the Utah House of Representatives.
