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Multiple bills moved to third reading; several measures pass on third reading votes
Summary
The Utah Senate advanced and in many cases approved a package of bills on third reading, including measures on local government inspections, workforce job postings, USTAR reforms, radon awareness, and residence lien clarifications; some bills were substituted on floor amendments and one high-profile public health measure (tobacco age) failed.
The Utah Senate on the floor on Wednesday advanced a slate of bills to third reading and approved multiple measures after floor substitution or amendment.
Among items moved forward, senators substituted and approved a first substitute to SB 188, which changes how counties may spend a local quarter-cent transportation option tax and retains a 20% corridor-preservation earmark for the first five years for newly adopting counties. Senator Henderson, the sponsor, said the bill removes restrictive "silos" so counties can prioritize locally identified transportation projects.
Senators also approved a second substitute to SB 22 requiring government entities to list public job openings on the Department of Workforce Services website; sponsors said the change centralizes postings and benefits veterans and other job seekers who had trouble finding openings.
Leadership and committees read multiple bills for committee referral and consent calendar placement, and several standing committee reports were adopted by the Senate as read.
Other bills that passed on third reading included measures addressing the state's restricted automatic external defibrillator account, clarifying the Utah Lien Recovery Fund eligibility, and establishing an electronic radon awareness campaign. Sponsors described radon as a significant public-health issue in Utah and said remediation typically averages about $1,200 while testing is inexpensive.
A number of bills were substituted on the floor to incorporate committee amendments before final votes. Where senators raised concerns, sponsors described the substitute language and offered to provide additional information or technical fixes.
Not all measures passed: SB 12, which would have raised the legal age for the sale of tobacco products to 21, drew extended debate on enforcement, fiscal impact and individual rights and failed a final vote on the floor.
The Senate adjourned until 10 a.m. the next day.
