Utah Senate advances broad package of bills, honors Navajo Code Talkers

The Utah State Senate convened for its 17th day of session and moved a large set of bills through committee referral, floor action and recorded votes. After roll call confirmed a quorum, the chamber received communications from the House and the Rules Committee's recommendations for assigning bills to standing committees, which the Senate adopted.

Senators voted to reassign two bills to the Revenue and Taxation Committee. Senator Curt Dayton moved to lift Senate Bill 158 (local government funding amendments) and Senate Bill 70 (Community Development and Renewal Agency amendments) from their originally assigned committees and place them with Revenue & Taxation; the motion carried after brief discussion and a statement from Senator Bramble that Government Operations' chair agreed the reassignment was appropriate.

On third reading the Senate passed a series of bills and resolutions. Senator Jenkins presented Senate Bill 123, which inserts "school, school district and charter school" into statutory language restricting public education entities from hiring lobbyists; Jenkins said the aim is to keep money "in the classroom." The Senate passed SB123 (27 yea, 0 nay, 2 absent), and the measure will be forwarded to the House.

Senator Adams described Senate Bill 126 addressing improvement warranty bonds for special service districts, limits on their duration, restrictions on water extraction to project needs and fee clarifications;…