Senate passes House Bill 3, the session 'Bill of Bills,' sending $60M in targeted appropriations to the House

The Utah Senate on March 13 approved House Bill 3, the appropriations adjustments often described on the floor as the session’s “Bill of Bills,” and sent the measure back to the House for signature.

Senator Hilliard, speaking for the sponsors, said the bill “appropriates approximately $60,000,000 over 2 years, including $22,000,000 from the general education funds,” and described the measure as the capstone that brings the state budget into balance. Lawmakers debated a floor amendment from Senator Valentine that specified $50,000 in House Bill 3 go to the Utah County Children’s Justice Center; the amendment was adopted.

The bill’s passage finalizes a fiscal plan that the sponsor characterized as a roughly $13.5 billion state budget (all funds) and follows weeks of committee and leadership negotiations to reallocate base budgets and prioritize education and other state needs. Supporters said the adjustments were needed to respond to growth pressures and fulfill the Legislature’s policy priorities.

Senators voted under suspension of the rules to take the bill up for final passage; the roll call showed 28 yea votes, 0 nay votes and 1 absent. House Bill 3 will be transmitted to the House for the Speaker’s signature and enrollment.

Senator Hilliard said the bill’s approach built “big rocks” into the budget and preserved funding for education and other priorities. The final vote concluded the Senate’s budget work and cleared the way for administrative steps toward implementation.

The Senate adjourned sine die after brief closing remarks from the governor and members; the governor praised the Legislature’s work on the budget and urged continued collaboration.

The immediate next procedural step is transmittal of the enrolled bill to the House for final signatures and preparation for gubernatorial action.