Senate advances broad consent calendar and clears numerous bills for House consideration

The Utah State Senate advanced a large consent calendar and approved a string of bills by voice vote or unanimous roll call on Feb. 23, 2004, sending the measures to the House of Representatives for further consideration.

Among the measures recorded on the consent or third-reading calendars were House bills addressing teacher classification, school-notification provisions, transportation amendments and property-tax relief, and Senate bills covering substitute teacher volunteer programs, outsourcing incentives, and other technical updates. Many passed with unanimous support or broad majorities and were returned to the House for action.

Sen. James Evans led passage of SB 156, a substitute teachers volunteer program intended to bring role models into classrooms and provide volunteer substitutes so schools can schedule more professional development. The Senate recorded 27 aye votes and no nays on the bill. Several other bills, including an outsourcing-to-smart-sites measure (first substitute SB 199) and a motion-picture task-force bill (SB 240), were moved forward with minimal floor debate.

The Senate clerk read communications from the House informing the Senate of transmittals and signatures, and the body took routine procedural actions to uncircle and substitute bills that Senators wanted to refine before later consideration. The Senate also referred several bills amending criminal and civil statutes to the House following brief sponsor explanations.

The session recessed for procedural business and to allow senators to consult with committees and staff before third reading of some items.

Outcome: Multiple bills passed the Senate on Feb. 23 and were referred to the House for further consideration.