Senate advances multiple bills; floor votes move measures to house or next reading

The Utah Senate on Jan. 25 moved a slate of bills forward during a morning session, recording final votes on several measures and suspending rules to accelerate consideration of items below the green line.

Among the measures decided on the floor, the Senate passed Senate Bill 20 (special mitigation for mentally ill offenders) after sponsors said the bill had broad endorsements; the clerk announced the result as "26 aye votes, no nay votes and 3 absent," and the measure will be sent to the House for consideration. House Bill 233 (statute housekeeping by Representative Collin) likewise cleared the chamber with the clerk reporting "26 aye votes, no nays and 3 absent;" the president will sign in open session before returning it to the House for enrolling.

Senate Bill 24 (theft and property damage amendments) cleared the Senate with the clerk recording "27 aye votes, no nays and 2 absent." Senate Bill 7 (Youth Parole Authority amendments) and Senate Bill 20 were also advanced, each reported by the clerk with unanimous recorded support among those present. Senate Bill 14 (snowmobile nonresident $30 decal) passed on a more divided vote that the clerk reported as 21 ayes and 6 nays; Senator Ballantyne voiced concern the statute would be difficult to enforce.

The Senate voted under suspension of the rules to consider a block of bills below the green line, and several measures were read for third reading or otherwise advanced on the calendar. Substitute Senate Bill 19 (sales and use tax exemption for hearing aids and related assistive devices) and Senate Bill 11 (driver licensing amendments) were moved onto the third-reading calendar for further consideration later in the session.

The Senate recessed until 2 p.m. with additional matters expected in the afternoon session.