Utah Senate passes package of bills on taxes, health care scope and homeless services on Day 37

SALT LAKE CITY ' The Utah State Senate moved quickly through a broad package of legislation on Day 37 of the 60th Legislature, voting to approve bills on tax-administration procedures, health care practice authority, homelessness support, teacher certification incentives and a joint resolution reaffirming women's rights.

Senate Bill 2 11, described by sponsor Senator Curtis Bramble as a clarification of existing practice, requires taxpayers to pursue an administrative appeal at the Utah State Tax Commission before filing a court action. "This bill clarifies what we already thought," Bramble said on the floor. The Senate recorded a unanimous vote and the bill will be sent to the House.

Lawmakers also approved first substitute House Bill 3 36 to amend the Nurse Practice Act and expand certain prescribing authority for licensed advanced practice nurses, including limited authority to prescribe Schedule II controlled substances for qualifying practitioners. Senator Bramble said the change is "one more step in that direction to provide better health care access." The measure passed unanimously and will be signed and transmitted to the House.

Senators adopted House Joint Resolution 21, sponsored by Senator Vickers, "reaffirming women's equal political, civil, and religious rights contained in the Utah Constitution," and recommending the inclusion of similar language at the federal level. Vickers noted the bill recognizes historical and current women leaders and groups and said the resolution builds on Utah's history of expanding suffrage. The resolution received unanimous approval and was signed in open session.

Education-related measures cleared the floor as well. Senate Bill 2 08 creates a stipend and incentives for teachers who obtain National Board Certification, with extra incentives for those serving in Title I schools. Sponsor Senator Maine said the program aims to encourage teacher certification and acknowledged registration and principal-signature requirements for applicants. The bill passed and will go to the House.

Senate Bill 2 25, introduced by Senator Escamilla, changes eligibility for the Homeless to Housing Reform Restricted Account so the homeless coordinating committee can consider additional entities that qualify to deliver medical respite care and supportive services. Escamilla said the change is meant "to close the loophole" that limited which providers could access funding; the bill passed on a roll call vote and will be forwarded to the House.

First substitute Senate Bill 2 12 was substituted and adopted on the floor. Sponsor Senator Bridal said the substitute reassigns a small-state research/technology program into the Governor's Office of Economic Development (GOED), changes an executive director title to program director, and includes legislative intent language directing support for the SBIRSTTR program now at Salt Lake Community College. Bridal also said the bill directs certain facility transfers related to Falcon Hill and Sparrowhawk and moved passage under suspension of the 24-hour rule; the Senate approved the substitute and passed the bill.

Other measures the Senate passed included bills on Medicaid inspector general reforms to implement audit recommendations, caregiving compensation study language (first substitute Senate Bill 2 37), an increase in a collection fee at the Office of Recovery Services from $25 to $35 when collections exceed a new threshold ($550), and technical amendments to transportation statutes. The Senate also consented to a set of gubernatorial appointments and approved one-time funding for repairs and ADA accessibility work for the Heber Valley Railroad.

Votes at a glance

- Senate Bill 2 11 (Tax administrative remedies): Passed unanimously; recorded tally announced on floor. - First substitute House Bill 3 36 (Nurse Practice Act amendments): Passed unanimously; 26'yea votes recorded on the floor. - House Joint Resolution 21 (Reaffirming the value of women): Passed unanimously; 27'yay votes recorded and signed by the president. - Senate Bill 2 08 (Teacher certification incentive): Passed (28'yay votes reported). - Senate Bill 2 25 (Homeless service provider amendments): Passed (26'yay votes reported). - First substitute Senate Bill 2 12 (USAR/GOED/SBIRSTTR program changes): Passed (26'yay votes reported). - Other bills: Multiple additional bills (including SB227, SB237 substitute, SB226, SB210, SB224, HB79) were passed, placed on calendars, or consented to as described in the official record and will be transmitted to the House or signed as appropriate.

What happens next

Bills that passed the Senate will be transmitted to the House for consideration, enrollment, or the speaker's signature as required. The Senate recessed for lunch and planned to resume in the afternoon at 2:00 p.m.

Reporting note: Article quotes and attributions are taken directly from Senate proceedings recorded in the official floor transcript for Day 37; tally counts and procedural outcomes are those announced on the Senate floor.