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Utah Senate fast-tracks pay authorization for in-session legislative employees
Summary
The Senate suspended the three-reading rule and approved HB 165, which revises the definition of 'in-session employees' so seasonal staff already hired can be paid, and passed HJR 11, a companion joint resolution authorizing pay for the 2015 session; both measures were sent to the House.
The Utah State Senate on the floor on an expedited schedule changed the definition of ‘‘in-session employees’’ and authorized pay for staff hired to work the 2015 session.
Senator Okerlund introduced House Bill 165 as a statutory definitional change covering seasonal employees ‘‘hired to perform seasonal work associated with a legislative session,’’ saying the adjustment was needed to ensure employees already hired can be paid. He asked the Senate to waive the constitutional three-reading requirement, noting urgency so that staff could be paid promptly.
The Senate voted to suspend the three-reading requirement and proceeded to final consideration. On roll call the clerk announced House Bill 165 received 25 votes in favor, 0 opposed, with 4 senators absent. The bill was signed by the President for transmittal to the House for the Speaker’s signature.
Senator Okerlund then introduced House Joint Resolution 11, which authorizes compensation for the same group of in-session employees for the 2015 session ‘‘consistent with the statewide cost-of-living increase authorized in the 2014 legislative session.’’ After waiving summation, the Senate held a roll call and the clerk announced the joint resolution received 25 yea votes, 0 nay, and 4 absent; it was ordered sent to the House for the Speaker’s signature.
Votes at a glance: House Bill 165 — Change definition of in-session employees; suspend three-reading requirement and pass; clerk recorded 25 yea, 0 nay, 4 absent. Outcome: passed and transmitted to House for Speaker signature. House Joint Resolution 11 — Authorizes pay for in-session employees for 2015 consistent with the 2014 COLA; clerk recorded 25 yea, 0 nay, 4 absent. Outcome: passed and transmitted to House for Speaker signature.
The Senate’s actions were described on the floor as housekeeping measures to ensure staff already hired for the session are covered and paid under an updated definition and parallel resolution. The record shows the resolution lists titles and amounts, but the precise dollar amounts are recorded in the resolution text (not read into the floor transcript); those amounts were not specified verbally on the floor.
The Senate returned to regular business after the votes.
