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Utah Senate suspends rules to advance multiple bills, approves fiscal appointment and pay resolution
Summary
The Utah Senate voted under suspension of the rules to move several bills from the second- to the third-reading calendar, unanimously approved the reappointment of a legislative fiscal analyst and adopted in-session employee compensation changes.
The Utah State Senate on the floor Monday advanced a package of measures from the second- to the third-reading calendar after suspending the chamber’s usual 24-hour rule, and approved two resolutions affecting legislative staffing and pay. Senators approved the suspension and then moved individual bills, citing efficiency and a need to clear the calendar.
Senator Beverly Evans moved "that we forego the 24 hour rule and deal with the 7 bills drawn on board," a suspension motion the presiding officer put to the body and which passed without recorded opposition. Evans then moved that Senate Bill 4, a repealer of an obsolete cost-savings suggestions pilot program, be moved to third reading; the clerk announced SB4 had received 25 aye votes, no nays, with four absent.
Senate Bill 6, a Correctional Industries program that refurbishes computers for school use, was introduced by Senator Stevenson and, after a brief presentation, brought up for third reading. The presiding officer announced SB6 had received 27 aye votes, no nays and two absent and was advanced to the third-reading calendar.
Other measures advanced included Senate Bill 15 (carryover of authorized capital outlay for the Utah Technology Commission) and Senate Bill 8 (a local referendum amendment that Sara Gladwell said corrects statutory timing so a locally passed ordinance does not take effect until voters may act). Both measures were moved to the third-reading calendar following roll-call votes.
On the personnel side, the Senate gave final approval to SJR1, reappointing John E. Massey as legislative fiscal analyst for a six-year term commencing 08/01/2004 under the statutory authority cited in the resolution. Senator Knudson described Mr. Massey’s work as “very fine,” and the presiding officer announced the resolution passed unanimously with 29 aye votes.
The chamber also adopted SJR2, which sets compensation for in-session legislative employees and is retrospective to Jan. 5, 2004. Senator Beverly Evans said the schedule is intended to be applied “clear across the board.” Roll-call results announced by the presiding officer recorded 29 aye votes and no nays.
Senate Resolution 1 established a postage rule for members’ official mail, authorizing up to 20 first-class stamps during session and a smaller interim monthly allotment; sponsors said the limits are intended to create a consistent policy for staff and to avoid ad hoc burdens on clerical staff. The clerk’s tally on SR1 was announced in the record as 26 aye votes, one absent, and later referenced as 28 ayes during floor comments.
Several items were handled under suspension of the rules to expedite the calendar; the presiding officer said the body would revisit any limit or figure should the need arise.
The Senate recessed its second-reading calendar to receive other business and later resolved into the committee of the whole to hear the State of the Judiciary address.
