Utah Senate advances multiple bills; SB 33, SB 19 and SB 39 pass; SB 34 set for third reading

The Utah State Senate on the floor advanced several bills Wednesday, approving three measures and moving others to later stages of review.

Senators voted to pass Senate Bill 33 after a sponsor explained the bill had been vetted with the OSHA Advisory Council and stakeholders. Senator Davis, who presented the measure, moved that it pass; the clerk recorded the result: "Senate Bill 33, having received 25 yay votes, 0 nay votes, 4 being absent, passes" and the bill was sent to the House for consideration.

The chamber also approved Senate Bill 19, a phased-retirement measure introduced by Senator Weiler that would permit eligible employees to work reduced hours while receiving a portion of salary and a portion of retirement benefits under an agency-approved plan. The clerk announced SB 19 "had received 26 yay votes, 0 nay votes, 3 being absent" and the bill will be transmitted to the House.

Senate Bill 39, sponsored by Senator Urquhart, would allow the University of Utah School of Dentistry — and potentially other venues — to provide dental and oral-care services to adults who are blind or disabled through Medicaid for those already eligible for the program. Senator Hilliard explained his "I" vote, citing empathy for the population but concern about general-fund pressures; the clerk recorded SB 39 as receiving "25 yay votes, 0 nay votes, 4 being absent."

In related action, the Senate advanced Senate Bill 34 (sewer lateral disclosure) to the third reading calendar after a presentation from Senator Maine describing homeowner hardship when private laterals fail (the sponsor cited a neighbor example of an approximately $10,000 repair). Maine said the bill, developed with special districts and the League of Cities and Towns, would require service providers or districts to notify homeowners once a year that sewer laterals are the homeowner's responsibility. Senators asked whether incoming water laterals or billing distinctions were covered; the sponsor said the bill is focused on sewer laterals and offered to discuss any needed refinements offline.

Senate Bill 35, which would authorize license plates recognizing combat veterans who are not disabled for the specific campaign or theater in which they served, was explained by Senator Knudson. The sponsor said the Department of Veterans and Military Affairs would verify eligibility and that veterans' organizations had offered to cover plate production costs; the chamber "circled" the bill pending work on the fiscal note with the Tax Commission and Veterans Affairs.

Votes at a glance: - SB 33: motion to pass; mover: Senator Davis; outcome: approved; tally: 25 yes, 0 no, 4 absent. - SB 19: motion to pass; mover: Senator Weiler; outcome: approved; tally: 26 yes, 0 no, 3 absent. - SB 34: motion to move to third reading; mover: Senator Maine; outcome: approved; tally: 25 yes, 0 no, 4 absent. - SB 35: motion to circle pending fiscal note; mover: Senator Knudson; outcome: approved by voice vote (circled). - SB 39: motion to pass; mover: Senator Urquhart; outcome: approved; tally: 25 yes, 0 no, 4 absent.

Why it matters: The measures touch a range of state responsibilities — workplace safety tools (SB 33), retirement options for state employees (SB 19), consumer notification about utility responsibilities (SB 34), veterans’ recognition (SB 35), and Medicaid-covered dental services for vulnerable adults (SB 39). Several items will move to House consideration or to future Senate calendars for final action.

Next steps: Bills recorded as passed will be sent to the House for its consideration. SB 34 will appear on the third-reading calendar; SB 35 remains circled pending a fiscal note from the Tax Commission and further coordination with Veterans Affairs.