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Senate advances wide slate of House bills, approves transportation study appropriation
Summary
The Utah Senate on Feb. 23, 2007, moved a large consent and third‑reading package, approving dozens of House bills (including changes to education funding references and insurance law revisions) and passing a substitute transportation study appropriation for $3.5 million; one high‑profile measure on protective orders for pets failed.
The Utah Senate convened on Feb. 23, 2007, and approved a broad package of House bills on its consent and third‑reading calendars, including measures addressing education‑fund terminology, insurance law updates, corrections to taxation calculations and a $3.5 million transportation study appropriation. President Valentine declared a quorum and the body proceeded through the consent calendar before taking multiple bills on third reading.
Senator Hilliard said the second‑substitute House Bill 323 “goes through the code and changes the Uniform School Fund to the Education Fund,” a technical but wide‑reaching set of conforming changes the Senate approved on a roll call of 25‑0 with four absent. Other bills adopted on either consent or final passage included House Bill 100 (access restrictions on school property; recorded 26‑0, three absent), House Bill 349 (financial reporting conformity; 27‑0, two absent), House Bill 462 (County Personnel Management Act exemption; 28‑0, one absent), House Bill 195 (higher‑education tuition assistance repeal; 26‑0, three absent), House Bill 295 (insurance code amendments; 27‑0), House Bill 299 (Nurse Practice Act amendments; 26‑0, three absent) and House Bill 240 (public education job enhancement amendments; 27‑0, two absent).
The Senate also approved first substitute House Bill 108, a transportation‑study measure that appropriates $3,500,000 for initial and final DOT studies covering counties of the first and second class; the substitute was adopted in the Senate and returned to the House (substitute vote in the Senate recorded as 21‑0, eight absent). Senate leaders noted the bill requires DOT public hearings and an interim report in November 2007 with a final study in September 2008.
Votes at a glance (selected): House Bill 100 — Access on school property: Passed (26 yes, 0 nay, 3 absent). House Bill 323 (education fund conforming amendments): Passed (25 yes, 0 nay, 4 absent). House Bill 295 (insurance law rewrite/technical changes): Passed (27 yes, 0 nay). House Bill 299 (Nurse Practice Act licensure provisions): Passed (26 yes, 0 nay, 3 absent). House Bill 240 (public education job enhancement): Passed (27 yes, 0 nay, 2 absent). House Bill 301 (UDOT categorical exclusions delegation): Passed (26 yes, 0 nay, 3 absent). House Bill 315 (personal assistive mobility devices regulation): Passed (25 yes, 1 no, 3 absent). House Bill 333 (materials harmful to minors — retailer incentives): Passed (21 yes, 4 nay, 4 absent). House Bill 108 (transportation studies appropriation; substitute): Adopted/substituted in Senate (21 yes, 0 nay, 8 absent); returns to the House for further action.
Why it matters: The package contains a mix of technical conforming changes (HB323), public‑safety and regulatory updates (HB295, HB299) and funding decisions (HB108) that affect state agencies and local governments. The transportation appropriation sets aside dedicated funds and a timetable for statewide DOT studies that will inform future planning and budgets.
What’s next: Most passed House bills will be returned to the House for enrolling and the governor’s signature or further action as required; the Senate recessed until 2 p.m. to continue second‑reading business later in the day.
