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Utah Senate Ends Session After Governor Remarks; Lawmakers Highlight Education Funding Increase
Summary
The Utah State Senate adjourned after the governor addressed the legislature and senators exchanged farewells. Lawmakers noted an education allocation discussed at $432,000,000, said to be higher than a prior recommendation of $422,000,000, and dissolved the Committee of the Whole by voice vote.
SALT LAKE CITY — The Utah State Senate concluded its session late with a brief address from the governor, tributes to staff and departing members, and a procedural voice vote to dissolve the Committee of the Whole.
Senator Okerlund and other senators used the final floor time to thank legislative staff and interns, and to recap the session’s priorities. "Education is our number one budget priority," a legislator said, noting that recommended education funding of $422,000,000 was discussed against a $432,000,000 figure considered during the session. "We were able to do this without any increase in taxes," the same speaker said.
The governor, whose remarks the Senate waited to hear while he addressed the House, had told the Senate through the presiding officer that he had no additional business but wished to speak to the body prior to adjournment. Senators then offered farewell remarks to colleagues leaving the legislature, praised teamwork across majority and minority caucuses, and recognized session staff and legislative interns for their work during the 45-day session.
On a formal motion, Senator Okerlund moved "that the Senate dissolve the Committee of the Whole." The presiding officer called for the voice vote, asking, "All in favor, say aye," and the motion carried by voice. Earlier in the transcript an unspecified motion was noted as passing "4 to 1," though the transcript excerpt did not include the text of that motion.
Interns closed the evening with a short presentation described in the transcript as "Senate Night Live," thanking senators and offering a lighthearted send-off that included sketches and bingo cards. The floor included several joking proposals and exchanges — for example, a mock request for a $10,000,000 memorial for a cat named Whiskers and a tongue-in-cheek reference to "SB 6666" as a clothing amendment — delivered in a clearly humorous tone and not advanced as formal business.
The Senate’s final procedural actions completed the chamber’s business for the session; senators announced the body would reconvene at 10:00 a.m. as scheduled for any follow-up or interim work. The adjournment formalities included appointments to notify the House that the Senate had concluded and was ready to adjourn "sign a die."
