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Utah Senate finishes packed final day, passage of dozens of bills including budget adjustments and transportation changes
Summary
On the last day of the 2012 Utah legislative session the Senate passed a long list of bills — including a supplemental appropriations package and a reworked transportation funding plan — while a high-profile education measure failed. Leaders emphasized cooperation and fiscal restraint.
The Utah State Senate spent its final scheduled day moving a large number of House and Senate measures, approving supplemental budget changes, transportation funding adjustments and a variety of policy bills before adjourning for a midday recess.
Senators completed concurrence work and third‑reading votes across dozens of matters, returning many bills to the House for final enrollment. ‘‘We've given more money to especially higher education and public education as well than the governor recommended,’’ Senator Hilliard said during debate on the supplemental appropriations package, praising bipartisan cooperation.
Why it matters: The package of measures approved on Day 45 affects state spending priorities for the upcoming year, changes transportation funding authorizations tied to savings from the I‑15 core project, and updates criminal and public‑health rules. Several bills carry fiscal notes and implementation tasks for state agencies.
Votes at a glance (selected outcomes) - House Bill 2 (new fiscal‑year supplemental appropriations): passed as amended (recorded vote announced as 26 yea, 0 nay) and will return to the House for further action. (See article on the budget for detail.) - Second substitute House Bill 173 (transportation funding and bonding adjustments): passed after substitution (25 yea, 3 nay). Sponsors said the substitute reduces bonding authority and uses project savings to fund additional projects while staying under statutory limits. - House Bill 420 (Parent Education Initiative, conference report adopted then final passage motion): failed (13 yea, 15 nay) and was filed. - Senate Bill 174 (Land Use Authority Amendment): concurred and passed by the Senate (26 yea, 0 nay); returned to the House for action. - House Bill 155 (drug screening for TANF applicants): passed (23 yea, 4 nay); sponsor said DWS will set aside federal funds to support treatment costs. - House Bill 55 (healthcare‑associated infection reporting): passed (27 yea, 2 nay); carries a $100,000 fiscal note.
What’s next: Most passed measures were transmitted back to the House for signature and enrollment; several items were sent to conference committees where House and Senate negotiators will work on remaining differences. The Senate recessed to allow committee work to continue after lunch.
Provenance: Topic coverage and vote tallies are drawn from Senate floor proceedings on March 8, 2012 (transcript segments from the day's roll call and third/second reading calendars).
