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, passed the Senate (27 yeas, 0 nays, 2 absent). Senator Wyler said the bill removes outdated statutory language and would clean up unused authority in state code.

Senate Bill 128 (long-term disability insurance amendments) was presented by Senator Dayton as a technical, negotiated change that clarifies appeals and allows individuals who qualify for long-term disability to find less strenuous work when appropriate. “If someone qualifies for long term disability, it allows them to find work whenever possible,” Dayton said. The Senate passed SB128 (28 yeas, 0 nays, 1 absent).

On matters originating in the House, the Senate approved House Bill 56 to restore the word “fish” to the statutory definition of “livestock,” correcting an inadvertent omission; the bill passed unanimously and was returned for the House speaker’s signature (28 yeas, 0 nays, 1 absent). The Senate also passed House Bill 20 (jury-duty amendments), which exempts certain smaller counties from a limit on the number of summonses a resident may receive; Senator Osman said the exemption covers several fourth- through sixth-class counties and some third-class counties up to 75,000 population. HB20 passed by roll call (28 yeas, 0 nays, 1 absent).

Several concurrence votes took place on bills amended by the House. The Senate concurred with amendments to Senate Bill 17 (Employment Support Act revisions), which clarified assignment-of-support language for recovery of certain income streams (for example, child support or alimony); SB17 passed on concurrence (27 yeas, 0 nays, 2 absent). The body also concurred with a technical House correction to first substitute SB63 (workers’ compensation fund amendments); sponsors said the change corrected an incorrect code reference and did not alter substance, and the bill passed the floor (27 yeas, 0 nays, 2 absent).

Why it matters: the measures include technical corrections and modest policy clarifications that affect state administrative processes (tax-credit publication, debt collection, title/escrow authority) and procedural fairness for citizens (jury-duty summons scheduling). Several bills were described on the floor as negotiated or technical and carried by broad bipartisan margins.

Votes at a glance

- SB143 (Title and escrow modifications): passed, 24–0 (5 absent). Sponsor: Senator Bramble. - SB73 (Office of State Debt Collection amendments): passed, 23–0 (6 absent). Sponsor: Senator Hilliard. - SB41 (Utah Science Center Authority / code cleanup): passed, 27–0 (2 absent). Sponsor: Senator Wyler. - SB128 (Long-term disability insurance amendments): passed, 28–0 (1 absent). Sponsor: Senator Dayton. - HB56 (Property tax definition—restoring “fish” to livestock): passed, 28–0 (1 absent). Sponsor: Senator Harper (carrying a House bill). - SB144 (Modifications to income tax—publication of expired credits): passed, 28–0 (1 absent). Sponsor: Senator Henderson. - SB17 (Concur with House amendments; Employment Support Act revisions): concurrence adopted and passed, 27–0 (2 absent). Sponsor: Senator Shiozawa. - First sub SB63 (Workers’ compensation fund amendments; technical correction): concurrence adopted and passed, 27–0 (2 absent). Sponsor: Senator Bramble. - HB20 (Jury duty amendments): passed, 28–0 (1 absent). Sponsor: Senator Osman (carrying a House bill).

The presiding officer reminded members about concurrence procedure and recording practices and announced that the Senate will take up advice and consent on a Supreme Court justice nomination the following morning at 11:30 a.m. The Senate recessed until 2:00 p.m.

Sources: floor statements and roll-call results read aloud on the Senate floor during Day 18 of the 2015 legislative session.