Senate advances annual appropriations bill with $70 million for roads, 2.5% public employee increase

The Utah Senate on Feb. 11 advanced House Bill 1, the annual appropriations act, moving the measure to the top of the second-reading calendar and then to final passage under suspension of the rules.

Senator Hilliard, sponsor of the Senate action on the bill, said the package does not touch the minimum school program and includes a 2.5% compensation increase for public employees "2.5% plus benefits," as well as appropriations for health and human services and adjustments for federal match and inflation. He told colleagues the bill contains $70,000,000 in ongoing revenue for roads, an amount the executive appropriations committee set aside to address the state's transportation needs.

Supporters framed the roads allocation as a step toward replenishing the Centennial Highway Fund after prior withdrawals. Senator Thomas described how funds were taken from the Centennial Highway Fund in prior years and said the $70 million would begin to restore that balance. Senator Walker, referencing his work on a transportation funding task force, called the package a "very fair and reasonable compromise" and said he would support it.

The motion to read HB 1 for the second and third time under suspension of the rules prompted a roll-call vote. The clerk announced a final tally of 24 yes, 2 nay and 3 absent; the bill passed the Senate and was to be signed by the president in open session and returned to the House speaker.

The chamber scheduled enrollment and signature actions with the chief clerk following the vote. No additional amendments were recorded during the floor action on Feb. 11.

Next steps: the bill was to be signed by the Senate president in open session and returned to the House for its enrollment and processing.