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Senate circulates tobacco-settlement spending bill amid fiscal concerns and schedules further debate
Summary
Senators debated Senate Bill 15, a plan to allocate tobacco-settlement revenues to health programs, research, and the permanent school fund; concerns about uncertain receipts, liens and competing proposals led the body to 'circle' the bill for later action and to coordinate related measures.
Senate Bill 15, a broad proposal on use of tobacco-settlement revenues, drew extensive floor debate Jan. 20 about priorities and fiscal risk. Sponsor Senator Polton outlined three core elements: replacing a hospital tax with $5.5 million for a children's health program, allocating $10 million to tobacco-cessation programs with required reporting, and directing $5 million to the University of Utah health sciences for cancer and heart disease research, with remaining monies to the permanent school fund.
Several senators, including Senator Montgomery and Senator Davis, warned that the revenue stream is uncertain: collections have liens and the April payment was described as potentially reduced; Montgomery said only about $15.4 million was in the bank with incoming payments subject to deductions and lien claims. That uncertainty prompted proposals to either pair SB 15 with companion bills, limit appropriations to documented banked funds, or delay final action.
Senators proposed competing procedural motions — motions to set the bill for a time certain, to place it on the third-reading calendar, or to table it on third reading. Senator Steele proposed a strategy to let the bill move on the merits on second reading and, if it advanced, table it on third reading to maintain legislative control. After debate, the Senate voted to circle SB 15 (leave it pending) to allow more time for caucus-level work and coordination with other bills dealing with tobacco-settlement spending.
Because members raised a range of priorities (tobacco cessation, addressing waiting lists for mental-health services, drug courts, and hospital tax structure), senators urged collaborative drafting and a consolidated approach in which multiple bills or amendments could be reconciled.
What happens next: The bill was circled for future consideration; sponsors and caucuses were instructed to coordinate options and fiscal analysis before the matter returns for a substantive floor vote. The Senate also invited members of the congressional delegation to brief the body on related federal transportation and tax issues during the same session.
