Utah Senate advances a package of bills on Day 18, including title-and-escrow, debt-collection and jury-duty changes

On the 18th day of the 2015 Utah legislative session, the Utah Senate moved a slate of bills through final or concurrence votes during its morning floor period, clearing measures on title and escrow authority, debt-collection treatment in bankruptcy, a statutory cleanup creating a Utah Science Authority, long-term disability plan clarifications, a property-tax definition correction and changes to jury-duty summons rules.

The Senate unanimously approved Senate Bill 143, which clarifies the division of authority between the title-and-escrow commission and the insurance commissioner. Sponsor Senator Bramble said the bill vests “the final authority with the insurance commissioner” in areas where concurrence cannot be reached. The measure passed with the president directing a unanimous vote (24 yeas, 0 nays, 5 absent).

Senate Bill 73, brought by Senator Hilliard, clarifies that restitution and criminal-fine orders collected by the Office of State Debt Collection are nondischargeable in bankruptcy; the body voted to pass the measure (23 yeas, 0 nays, 6 absent) and transmitted it to the House.

Senate Bill 41, described by Senator Wyler as a deletion of antiquated code sections to create a Utah Science Authority,…