Utah Senate advances a slate of bills, approving theft-sentencing changes and multiple reauthorizations

The Utah Senate, meeting with a quorum on Jan. 27, moved and approved a package of bills on its third-reading calendar, adopting changes ranging from theft sentencing to procurement exemptions and licensing reauthorizations.

Senator Thatcher presented Senate Bill 13, a theft-amendments measure that adds an intermediate step in sentencing. "A third offense will be charged as a class A misdemeanor," Thatcher said, adding that the change uses evidence from the sentencing commission to make sentencing "a little more thoughtful." The Senate recorded 25 yay votes, 0 nays and 4 absent; the bill passed and was sent to the House for further consideration.

Other bills receiving floor action included measures to extend or reauthorize licensing acts and administrative rules. Senator Valentine described a new online function that links bill text to cited statutes while presenting Senate Bill 27, a 10-year reauthorization of the Massage Therapy Licensure Act; SB 27 passed on a 28–0 recorded vote with one absent.

Senate Bill 35, an administrative-rules reauthorization, and Senate Bill 26, an Air Conservation Act reauthorization, were both approved on voice and roll-call votes. Senate Bill 26 was recorded as passing 27–0 with two absent; SB 35 passed 28–0 with one absent.

On legislation affecting local government and elections, the Senate approved SB 18 to clarify general-fund code descriptions (28–0, one absent) and SB 25 to delay political-party candidate certification deadlines for this election year (28–0, one absent).

Senator Harper explained Senate Bill 20, which extends posted-foreclosure notification requirements for two more years to align with forthcoming Consumer Financial Protection Bureau rulemaking. After discussion and a roll call, the bill passed and will be sent to the House.

Senator Dayton introduced and successfully moved an amendment to Senate Bill 21 to cross-reference the state construction code for an exemption for seasonal produce stands, specifying that the exemption applies to interior floor space that does not exceed 300 square feet. The amended SB 21 passed on a 27–0 recorded vote with two absent.

Senator Dayton also sponsored SB 24 to add procurement-code exemptions for certain firefighting supplies to aid the Division of Forestry, Fire and State Lands; Senator Jenkins voiced support, noting federal procurement practices in similar areas. SB 24 passed on a recorded vote and will be transmitted to the House.

During the session, Senator Bramble introduced a visiting guest, identified as "Chairman Zhao" from the People's Republic of China, described as an entrepreneur engaged with Utah companies on economic development. Senators received several scheduling announcements and were directed to caucuses and committee meetings before the body adjourned until 11:10 a.m. the following day.

Votes at a glance: SB 13 (Theft Amendments) — passed, 25 yay, 0 nay, 4 absent; SB 18 (Local Gov. General Fund Amendments) — passed, 28 yay, 0 nay, 1 absent; SB 21 (State Construction Code Amendments, as amended) — passed, 27 yea, 0 nay, 2 absent; SB 24 (Procurement Exemptions) — passed (tally recorded as 28 yay, 0 nay, 1 absent); SB 25 (Candidate Certification Amendments) — passed, 28 yay, 0 nay, 1 absent; SB 26 (Air Conservation Act Reauthorization) — passed, 27 yay, 0 nay, 2 absent; SB 27 (Massage Therapy Licensure Reauthorization) — passed, 28 yay, 0 nay, 1 absent; SB 35 (Administrative Rules Reauthorization) — passed, 28 yay, 0 nay, 1 absent.

The Senate adjourned after brief announcements and scheduling items; most measures will now advance to the House for consideration.