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Senate advances package of bills; Azerbaijan consul general receives citation
Summary
On day 23 the Utah Senate cleared a series of bills — including measures on background checks for driving-privilege cards, enterprise zone tax-credit tracking, licensing amendments, and milk sales — and welcomed the Consul General of Azerbaijan to address the chamber.
The Utah State Senate on day 23 handled a broad set of floor items, reading multiple house bills for a third time, passing measures and setting time-certain items for later hearings. The body also received the Consul General of Azerbaijan and went into a committee of the whole for his remarks.
Key passages and actions: Senate staff announced multiple votes and transmittals to the House. Notable floor actions included Senate Bill 130 (recorded as passed with 24 yay votes), House Bill 151 (acupuncture licensing amendments, 25–0), House Bill 154 (county personnel requirements, unanimous by voice and recorded), Senate Bill 129 (repeal of an FBI background-check requirement for driving privilege cards, 26–0), and House Bill 194 (milk sales amendments permitting separate pasteurized displays at self-owned retail outlets, 26–0). The Senate also debated and passed first substitute House Bill 84 (big-game hunting permit rules) after amendment votes, and considered enterprise zone tax-credit tracking changes under House Bill 31.
Background and context: Sponsors said SB129 was necessary because federal rules limit how national background-check data can be used and referred to, and that the bill restores earlier state practice by removing the federal FBI-check requirement. Supporters of HB31 argued the bill creates needed tracking for rapidly growing enterprise-zone tax credits; questions on rural impact and fiscal notes prompted floor discussion.
Ceremonial: The Senate welcomed Miss Utah (Criscia Beatty) and later introduced the Consul General of Azerbaijan, presenting a citation recognizing the country’s traditions of interfaith tolerance; the Consul General addressed the chamber and thanked the legislature.
Votes at a glance: Senate Bill 130 — passed (24 yay, 0 nay, 5 absent). House Bill 151 — passed (25 yay, 0 nay, 4 absent). House Bill 154 — passed (recorded; unanimous). Senate Bill 129 — passed (26 yay, 0 nay, 3 absent). Senate Bill 45 — passed (22 yay, 5 nay, 2 absent). House Bill 194 — passed (26 yay, 0 nay, 3 absent). First substitute House Bill 84 — advanced to third reading (19 yay, 1 nay, 9 absent). House Bill 31 — advanced to third reading after debate (recorded votes noted).
Next steps and scheduling: Time-certain settings were made for upcoming medical-marijuana bills later in the week; the Senate scheduled a rules committee meeting and adjourned until 10:00 a.m. the following day.
