Senate passes a package of bills in special session, including drug-offender pilot, veterans nursing home and provider-contract changes

During the April 20, 2005 special session the Utah Senate considered and passed multiple bills and resolutions. Below are the items the chamber formally advanced, with the recorded outcome and vote tallies as read into the record on the Senate floor.

- Senate Bill 1004 (Drug Offender Reform Act pilot program): Sponsor Senator Mike Kilpack explained the pilot would coordinate departments to address drug problems among offenders; roll call recorded 27 yes, 0 no. Outcome: passed and referred to the House.

- House Bill 1007 (Veterans Nursing Home authorization and funding): Sponsor Senator Jason Thomas explained the bill provided authorization and funding for a state veterans nursing facility and moved for passage; roll call recorded 27 yes, 0 no with 2 absent. Outcome: passed and returned to the House for signature.

- House Bill 1002 (provider contracting amendments): Sponsor Senator Bramble clarified the effective date was 01/01/2006 to allow providers time to modify contracts; roll call recorded 26 yes, 0 no with 3 absent. Outcome: passed.

- House Bill 1006 (changes in task force membership): A first substitute added two house members to the tax reform task force (increasing seat count from 7 to 9); the substitute passed by roll call with 27 yes, 0 no, 2 absent. Outcome: substitute adopted and referred to the House.

- House Bill 1009 (executive compensation): A second substitute was accepted that standardized pay ranges for cabinet-level positions and addressed pay differentials for health directors; the conference process was used to reconcile details and the conference report was adopted; recorded roll calls indicate the bill advanced to the House.

- First substitute, Senate Bill 1002 (tourism/funding): After floor amendment to reallocate $4,000,000 to the Salt Palace expansion and debate, the substitute passed (26 yes, 1 nay, 2 absent) and was referred to the House.

- House Joint Resolution 101 (supporting expansion of correctional facilities): Sponsor Senator Peterson opened debate and members discussed county debt and state obligations; roll call recorded 26 yes, 0 no, 3 absent. Outcome: passed and to be signed by the President.

- House Bill 1010 (uses of money in municipal services fund): Sponsor Senator Walker explained the bill would allow a newly incorporated city (example: Cottonwood Heights) to receive credit or refund for prior municipal services payments; roll call recorded 27 yes, 0 no, 2 absent. Outcome: passed.

Several other bills and conference committee reports were transmitted, signatures were scheduled in open session, and the Senate adjourned 'sign and die' after completing business.

All vote tallies are taken from the Senate floor record read into the journal during the April 20, 2005 special session.