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Utah Senate moves a package of bills through committee and third-reading calendars; several pass to the House
Summary
The Utah Senate on Feb. 14 passed a range of bills by roll call and voice votes — from technical licensing changes and school curriculum updates to liability protections for teachers — and placed others on the third-reading calendar or tabled them pending fiscal review.
The Utah State Senate used Wednesday's session to advance a broad package of bills, approving several by roll call and voice votes and sending them to the House for action or placement on the third-reading calendar.
Key outcomes included the unanimous passage of Senate Bill 204, which repeals a separate license for alarm-response runners after sponsors said response workers in Utah are already licensed as security guards. First substitute SB 59, licensing genetic counselors, passed 25-0, and SB 197, removing an ineffective peer-review requirement from the Division of Occupational and Professional Licensure code, passed 23-0. Lawmakers also approved a teacher-liability measure (first substitute SB 182) ensuring state coverage for defense costs tied to employment, and a veterinary practice amendment (first substitute SB 132) that authorizes specified trained professionals to provide certain care to animals.
Education-related legislation moved as well: a substitute to House Bill 79 revised statutory language to use "person with a disability" in place of "handicapped," passing unanimously, and Senate Bill 75, which gives local districts greater choice within a state-set core curriculum, passed after extended debate (15-9-5).
Other bills approved included measures on property tax appeal timing (first substitute SB 76), extended child visitation (SB 147), and several housekeeping and technical updates that committee chairs placed onto consent or second-reading calendars.
Several substantial items were tabled or sent onward with fiscal concerns noted. House Bill 40, which would have appropriated $23 million for textbook funding and set reporting requirements for school districts, was placed on the third-reading calendar and then tabled for fiscal review. Similarly, the Senate recorded questions and, where appropriate, moved bills to third reading to allow sponsors and committees more time to address fiscal notes.
Votes at a glance (selected): - SB 204 (repeal licensing for alarm response runners): passed (voice vote recorded as 22 ayes, 0 nays, 7 absent). - First substitute SB 59 (licensing genetic counselors): passed 25-0 (4 absent). - First substitute SB 132 (veterinary practice act amendments): passed 22-0 (7 absent). - First substitute SB 182 (liability coverage for teachers): passed 22-0 (7 absent). - SB 75 (public education curriculum amendments): passed 15-9 (5 absent). - First substitute SB 68 (placement of residential facilities for persons with a disability): passed 23-0 (6 absent).
The Senate adjourned until 9:30 a.m. the following day.
