Get Full Government Meeting Transcripts, Videos, & Alerts Forever!
Get email alerts on the Legislative Actions topic
No spam. Unsubscribe anytime.
Senate approves multiple bills on consent and second-reading calendars; education notice bill passes after debate
Summary
The Utah Senate on day nine passed a series of bills on consent and the second-reading calendar, including a first-substitute education bill (SB60) requiring parental notice of special-education rights, and advanced technical and regulatory measures; several other bills were sent to the House or passed unanimously. Details, vote counts and next steps are listed.
The Utah State Senate advanced and approved a package of measures during its ninth day in session, moving several bills through the consent and second-reading calendars and recording multiple final and referral votes.
Among the measures approved was the first substitute to Senate Bill 60, a schools-related bill that requires schools — including public, charter and private institutions that notify parents about concerns — to inform parents that assessment and Individuals with Disabilities Education Act (IDEA) services are available through local education agencies. Sponsor Senator Davis said the bill requires only that information be given and that parents retain control over their children’s education. Senators pressed the sponsor during floor debate about whether the change could intrude on homeschools or private schools; Senator Dayton said he remained concerned and indicated he would vote no absent further clarification. The Senate recorded the first-substitute SB60 as passing on a recorded roll-call vote: 23 yes, 5 no, 1 absent.
On the consent and second-reading calendars the Senate also acted on technical and regulatory bills, including:
- Senate Bill 55 (insurance and service contract clarification): sponsor said the bill makes clear that certain prepaid limited-duration service or warranty contracts are not insurance policies; sponsor moved passage and the bill proceeded as read for first consideration.
- Senate Bill 15 (agriculture protection and industrial protection area amendments): sponsor Senator Dayton described a single-word change (from 'shall' to 'may') to give county commissions discretion to skip a 20-year renewal notification/public hearing if no complaints have been filed; the motion to pass was advanced by voice vote.
- First substitute Senate Bill 62 (workers-compensation waivers): reported from committee and, following floor consideration, recorded as passed (reported as 26 yes, 0 no, 3 absent) and will be sent to the House.
- Senate Bill 73 (Acupuncture Licensing Act amendments): passed on the floor and reported as receiving 25 yes, 0 no, with 4 absent.
- Senate Bill 53 (technical clean-up to recording/statute language): sponsor described the measure as a technical change that does not substantively alter foreclosure mechanics-liens; the Senate passed the bill (reported 26 yes, 0 no, 3 absent) and will send it to the House.
Several other measures and committee reports were read into the record and referred to Rules for further committee assignment or second reading.
What’s next: bills that were read for the first time will be referred to Rules and linger on the calendar for committee assignment or future action. SB60, having passed on recorded vote, will proceed according to interchamber procedures and whatever committee follow-up or conference is required if the House takes different action.
Votes at a glance (selected recorded outcomes reported on the floor): - First substitute Senate Bill 60 — Education parental notice (sponsor: Senator Davis): recorded vote 23 yes, 5 no, 1 absent — outcome: approved on the Senate floor and to be transmitted as appropriate. - First substitute Senate Bill 62 — Workers-compensation waivers (sponsor: Senator Maine): reported outcome 26 yes, 0 no, 3 absent — to be sent to the House. - Senate Bill 73 — Acupuncture licensing amendments (sponsor: Senator Hinkins): reported outcome 25 yes, 0 no, 4 absent. - Senate Bill 53 — Technical recording/statute cleanup (sponsor: Senator Weiler): reported outcome 26 yes, 0 no, 3 absent.
Context: floor debate ranged from brief technical explanations to more extended discussion on SB60 about parental rights and how notice to parents of available IDEA-related assessments would work for children in private and home schools. Sponsors repeatedly emphasized the bill’s stated purpose — informing parents of potential services — while supporters urged colleagues to read bill language carefully before voting.
The Senate also recognized visiting student groups and pharmacy students in the gallery during the day.
The Senate adjourned until 11:00 a.m. the following day.
