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Senate advances a slate of bills including funding measures, studies and program transfers
Summary
The Utah Senate on Feb. 9 advanced and, in many cases, passed a broad set of bills — including an appropriation for an urban Indian ‘Circle of Wellness,’ a study of emissions trading, and funding for assistive-technology devices — while disposing of routine items and committee reports.
The Utah State Senate handled a large number of bills on Feb. 9, 1998, moving many to third reading or passing them on final action.
Senators approved or advanced bills that authorize studies, appropriate funds and clarify local government procedures. Notable actions included the unanimous passage of House Bill 226 (allowing limited outside employment for a mental-health adviser where no conflict exists) and passage of Senate Bill 129 with an amendment limiting a driver’s liability to available insurance coverage.
Why it matters: The batch of measures affects state-level oversight and local services — funding for community programs, studies that could change environmental policy, and transfer of short-term assistance programs between departments.
Votes and outcomes (summary of actions recorded on the floor): - House Bill 226 (outside employment for a mental-health adviser): recorded unanimous support and will be signed for enrollment (26 aye, 0 nay, 3 absent). - Senate Bill 132 (notice on creation/modification of political subdivisions): passed (26 aye, 0 nay, 3 absent). - Senate Bill 129 (motor-vehicle accident insurance coverage): amendment adopted; passed third reading (28 aye, 0 nay, 1 absent). - Senate Bill 19 (study of air-quality emissions trading): amendments reaffirmed and the bill moved to third reading after discussion of a fiscal-note discrepancy (votes to advance recorded). - Senate Bill 46 (urban and community forestry): passed (26 aye, 1 nay, 2 absent). - SR 3 (support for Wendover Enola Gay restoration project): passed (28 aye, 1 absent). - Senate Bill 38 (education requirements for adoption assistance): amendment adopted and bill advanced. - Senate Bill 44 (Circle of Wellness appropriation): advanced to third reading after extended debate on oversight and administration; floor vote recorded to advance. - Senate Bill 120 (energy assistance program oversight, transfers heat and weatherization programs to DCED): advanced. - Senate Bill 123 (assistive-technology devices and services, $500,000 request): advanced with its fiscal split noted (approximately $300,000 from the uniform school fund; $200,000 general fund) and recorded votes. - Senate Bill 128 (municipal energy sales/use tax exemption): advanced. - Senate Bill 33 (task force on federal funding): advanced. - Senate Bill 130 (county regulation of wildlife rehabilitation): amendment (change “game” to “wildlife”) adopted and bill advanced. - Senate Bill 133 (optional forms of county government): a proposed expansive amendment failed; the unamended bill was advanced. - First substitute Senate Bill 138 (retirement converted sick leave options): introduced, fiscal note discussed; sponsors said they will clarify the fiscal estimate before third reading.
What the floor did not do: Several measures were moved to later calendars for additional review, and sponsors promised to reconcile fiscal notes and administrative details before final action.
Next steps: Bills moved to third reading will return for final votes; sponsors indicated some fiscal notes and administrative oversight language will be clarified prior to final passage.
