Senate advances license-plate rules, passes several bills including plate reforms and workers' compensation changes

The Utah State Senate moved several bills through the floor on Jan. 30, 2018.

Senate Bill 80, concerning exempt and apportioned license plates and eliminating certain annual registration sticker requirements for fleet vehicles, passed on the floor and was reported as receiving 26 yeas, 0 nays, and 3 absent. Sponsor discussion focused on operational savings for municipal and county fleets and the move to permanent plates for a vehicle's life.

First substitute Senate Bill 40 (workers' compensation dependent benefit amendments) was substituted and passed on third reading with a tally of 28 yay votes and 1 absent; sponsors described an increase in dependent benefits (noted in the debate as changing an amount from $5 to $20).

First substitute Senate Bill 75 (Labor Code Amendments) advanced after adoption of an amendment (dated 01/30/2018) clarifying waiver and penalty procedures for first-time noncompliance with workers' compensation insurance; the floor recorded 27 yay votes, 0 nays, and 2 absent.

First substitute Senate Bill 56 (vehicle platooning amendments) was called on the third-reading calendar, presented by Senator Harper to accommodate connected and automated vehicle technology, and ordered to be sent to the House for their consideration.

Senate Bill 53 (workers' compensation coordination of benefits) was "circled" for further review by the advisory board and will be revisited.

The Senate adjourned until 11 a.m. the following morning after concluding the day's business.