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Senate moves dozens of measures forward during Feb. 4 session; votes at a glance
Summary
On Feb. 4 the Utah Senate adopted or advanced a wide array of bills on consent and third‑reading calendars—covering boilers, license plates, public‑safety, education, health, transportation and more. Several measures passed unanimously or by wide margins and were returned to the House for further processing.
The Utah State Senate advanced and passed multiple measures Feb. 4 as it moved through its consent and third‑reading calendars.
Key outcomes (selected items from the floor):
- Concurrence on House amendments to SB18 (prohibiting alcohol in schools, with curricular exceptions): announced as having 21 aye votes, 0 nay (returned to the House).
- House Bill 222 (boiler inspection amendments): amended definition raises the maximum pressure for a low‑pressure boiler to 60 psi to align with ASME code; unanimous consent recorded and bill signed for return to the House.
- House Bill 220 (display of license plates on trucks and tractors): passed unanimously, 20 aye votes recorded in the moment noted on the floor, and returned to the House.
- HJR7 (resolution on electrical industry restructuring): passed unanimously (22–0, 7 absent) and placed on the opening calendar.
- Senate Bill 114 (Place Foundation / Deseret Village management by private foundation): sponsor disclosed a trustee conflict and the bill passed to the House (22–0).
- Substitute SSB39 (penalties for sale of tobacco to minors): negotiated with the food industry; includes limit on sting operations (four per 12‑month period); passed the Senate 25–0 and will go to the House.
- SSB119 (medical practice amendments): amendments to allow licensing by rule for some out‑of‑state physicians were adopted; the bill passed (26–0) and will be transmitted to the House.
- SSB26 (child‑care licensing amendments): floor discussion addressed safety and ratios; the Senate took the measure up and completed the roll call as recorded in the session.
- SSB40 (newborn hearing screening): bill places a newborn hearing‑screening requirement into statute and establishes a technical board; the Senate passed the bill (24 aye, 1 nay) and it will go to the House.
- SB109 (state law librarian amendment): minor administrative changes including costs for damaged books were adopted and the bill passed (25 aye) to the House.
- A long series of House bills (examples: HB187 Public Service Commission reporting; HB201 property‑tax circuit‑breaker amendments; HB202 transportation code recodification; HB16 classroom supplies funding; HB179 school transportation formula; HB15 workforce services; HB26 trade or business names; HB213 Native American coordinating board membership; HB9 appropriation for additional highway patrol troopers; HB174 window tinting; HB214 motor‑vehicle identification etching; HB7 Computers for Public Schools pilot; HB37 purchase of telecommunications services; HCR1 affordable housing resolution; HB200 income tax election campaign fund designation; HB209 Olin Walker housing trust fund; HB6 private investigator regulation) were presented, debated as needed, and many were advanced to the third‑reading calendar or passed on recorded votes (tallies are noted in the session record). Some bills with fiscal notes were held on third‑reading tables for prioritization.
Several senators used personal‑privilege time to recognize students and constituents in the gallery; the Senate recessed for caucus lunch and planned to reconvene at 2:00 p.m.
Why it matters: The session progressed a large batch of measures that affect public safety, health screening and reporting, education funding and administrative housekeeping across state agencies. Several bills required follow‑up budgeting or will return to the House for further action.
Next steps: Bills passed by the Senate will be transmitted to the House (or returned) for enrolling or further consideration; those with fiscal implications will be prioritized in budget negotiations later in the session.
