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Senate advances dozens of measures in Feb. 24 session; several major bills pass
Summary
The Utah State Senate cleared a large consent calendar and advanced multiple bills on Feb. 24, 1997, including unanimous passage of a hunting-permit bill for people with disabilities and a resolution on PM2.5. Several substantive bills — from welfare reform to condominium smoking rules — were debated and placed on third reading or passed to the House.
The Utah State Senate met Feb. 24 in Salt Lake City and moved a large block of measures through the day, advancing multiple bills to the third‑reading calendar and sending several to the House for final action.
On the consent calendar the body recorded unanimous or near‑unanimous votes on several items. House Bill 140, expanding assisted hunting permits for people with disabilities, was approved by voice vote and recorded as 27 ayes, no nays and 2 absent. The Senate also passed SJR 12, a resolution asking federal regulators to delay implementation of a stricter PM2.5 particulate standard, with a unanimous recorded vote of 27 ayes. HCR 3, calling on Congress to end federal tobacco subsidies, passed with 26 ayes and 3 absences.
The chamber also recorded contested roll-call outcomes on several bills. Senate Bill 69 (real estate agent background checks) passed 17‑11 with one absent. Senate Bill 164 (a $23,000 Utah State Capitol Centennial study committee) passed 27‑0 (2 absent). Senate Bill 40 (state school board election procedure) passed 18‑11 and will move to the House. Substitute SB161 (motor vehicle compliance with insurance/registration requirements) passed 28‑0 (1 absent). An appropriation to purchase property adjacent to Dixie College (SB222) passed 28‑0 (1 absent). Senate Bill 64 (welfare reform, child‑support elements) passed on a recorded vote reported as 28 ayes, 1 absent.
Several bills were circled for further work or sent to interim study. The Senate returned a package of bills to rules and placed multiple substituted measures on the second‑ and third‑reading calendars as floor managers and committee chairs advised.
What happens next: Bills recorded for third reading move toward final passage and potential enrollment; those sent to the House require House signature and enrolling before becoming law. The Senate recessed until 9 a.m. the following day to continue consideration of other measures.
Provenance: Transcript coverage begins with consent votes at SEG 234–SEG 299, contested roll calls at SEG 299–SEG 333 and subsequent recorded tallies at SEG 331–SEG 376 and later reported vote totals through SEG 724.
