Utah Senate consents to governorappointments and advances a wide slate of bills including campus safety and energy storage credits

SALT LAKE CITY

The Utah Senate on Day 18 of the 2020 general session consented to a broad list of the governors appointments and moved multiple House and Senate bills toward final action in an afternoon session that ended with an adjournment until 11 a.m. tomorrow.

The chamber accepted the governors nominations to dozens of boards and commissions, including a nomination to the State Board of Education. President Adams announced the consent vote as "25 yay votes, 0 nay votes, 4 being absent," congratulating the appointees.

Why it matters: the confirmations install the governors picks on water conservancy district boards, advisory councils and state commissions that shape policy on education, natural resources and economic development.

Education committee endorsement

Senator Henderson, reporting for the education confirmation committee, recommended Laurie Ann Thorpe for the State Board of Education, saying the committee was "really impressed with her" and noting her background with Prevent Child Abuse Utah, special-education work and foster-care advocacy. "She's got some really great experience," Henderson said.

Bills passed and advanced

The Senate considered many bills on the third- and second-reading calendars. Highlights of final actions and advances included:

- House Bill 31 (Local Government and Limited Purpose Entity Registry Amendments) passed on third reading 26-0; sponsor Senator Andragg said the bill expands registrations to include municipal recorders, county clerks and certain nonprofits so contact information for board members is available.

- House Bill 43 (Peace Officer Standards and Training Amendments) passed 25-0. Sponsor Senator Grover described the measure as adding a formal "letter of caution" to the disciplinary options used by POST.

- House Bill 100 (Veterans Treatment Court Act) passed 24-0. Senator Hilliard said the bill standardizes veterans treatment courts and could bring federal VA funding.

- Senate Bill 80 (Campus Safety Amendments) moved to third reading after sponsor Senator Iwamoto described a stakeholder-driven approach to coordinating campus police, dispatch, Clery reporting and victim services; the measure advanced 23-2.

- Second substitute Senate Bill 77 (Electric Energy Storage Tax Credit) advanced to third reading after debate on budget impact. Senator Kitchen said a principal aim is "to stop energy waste, support our existing clean energy generation, and to build a smart energy grid." The substitute provides refundable tax credits (for individuals, 25% of cost up to $5,000; for commercial users, 10% up to $100,000) and includes a $5 million cap; the substitute moved forward 18-5 amid concerns about fiscal exposure.

- Senate Bill 76 (Government Immunity Revisions) passed and will go to the House. Senator Weiler said the bill responds to a recent Supreme Court decision on governmental immunity.

- Senate Bill 70 (Determination of Death Amendments) advanced to third reading after sponsor Senator Grover said the measure allows qualified nurses in hospice or residential settings to call time of death when death is certain, to avoid delays in family closure; supporters said the change preserves physician oversight while improving efficiency.

Votes at a glance

- Consent to governor's appointments: 25-0, 4 absent (consented). (See meeting record for list of appointees.) - HB31 (registry amendments): passed 26-0, 3 absent. - HB43 (POST amendments): passed 25-0, 4 absent. - HB81 (judicial retention substitute): passed 24-0, 5 absent. - HB100 (Veterans Treatment Court): passed 24-0, 5 absent. - HB191 (Dairy Commission amendments): passed 25-0, 4 absent. - HB54 (mass timber building codes): passed 26-0, 3 absent. - SB64, SB29, SB32, SB56, SB70, SB76, SB77 and SB80 were among Senate bills advanced or passed; several were moved to third reading or sent to the House for consideration.

Fiscal and implementation notes

Senator Harper described SB56 (firefighter/public-safety tier 2 retirement enhancements) as creating a restricted account to receive future appropriations for pickup costs but not appropriating money now; the sponsor said the fiscal note is available online and does not appropriate funds within the bill. Senator Fillmore noted the fiscal note estimates forgone insurance-premium tax growth of about $2,430,000 in fiscal year 2022 and potential larger impacts in later years if credits or exemptions are implemented.

On SB77, Senator Kitchen said the bill includes a $5 million cap for the rebate program and will be administered first-come, first-served with approval by the Tax Commission and the Department of Environmental Quality.

Recognition and remarks

Senator Thatcher drew attention to suicide-prevention advocates in the gallery and said, "suicide is the leading cause of death for kids in the state of Utah," asking the chamber to recognize members of the American Foundation for Suicide Prevention. Several senators thanked the group for their work.

Whats next

Multiple bills advanced to the third-reading calendar for final consideration, and several were sent to the House. The Senate adjourned until 11 a.m. tomorrow.