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Senate advances a slate of bills on consent calendar, discusses funding for high‑risk insurance pool and honors James Sorensen
Summary
The Utah Senate adopted multiple committee reports and advanced several bills on the consent and third‑reading calendars (including SB 126, SB 128, SB 119, SB 60, SB 95, SB 131 and SB 44). Lawmakers also debated a proposal to provide ongoing funding for the Utah Comprehensive Health Insurance Pool and honored James Sorensen on the floor.
During a full floor session the Utah Senate adopted Rules and standing committee reports, placed many bills on the second‑reading calendar and advanced several measures by unanimous or recorded votes.
On the consent calendar and third reading the Senate approved, among others: SB 126 (creates a filing fee for write‑in candidates; sponsor Senator Knudson explained county clerks need a fee for the work and the bill passed with recorded support), SB 128 (amends statute to conform to a recent constitutional change so spouses of service members killed in the line of duty are not assessed property tax for the year of purchase), and SB 119 (Department of Corrections code cleanup removing an outdated requirement for an agency‑specific hearing officer). Also advanced were SB 60 (repealing a Labor Commission survey requirement) and SB 95 (tax credit for brewers/distillers), and SB 131 (allows automatic employer enrollment in retirement plans with opt‑out). Senate Bill 44, which increases penalties for failing to secure a load or littering on the highway, was amended on the floor and passed after sponsors emphasized public‑safety and cleanup costs.
Senator Davis led a technical discussion labeled "Cinnabill 101" on funding for the Utah Comprehensive Health Insurance Pool (HIP). He proposed an automatic funding mechanism to keep the pool actuarially sound beginning in July and cited a short‑term figure of about $10.8 million; he and others warned the approach would change how the Legislature exercises annual appropriation authority. Committee chairs and appropriators sought additional consultation with the Insurance Commissioner and the insurance industry before committing to a permanent diversion of premium tax revenue.
The chamber also took a moment to honor James Beverly Sorensen and invited family members to the floor for brief remarks after passing a resolution recognizing his contributions.
The Senate adjourned and scheduled reconvening at 10:00 a.m. the next day.
