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Utah Senate passes $688M pandemic appropriations; directs $108M for testing, PPE and targeted services
Summary
The Utah Senate passed SB 3,001 on April 16, 2020 to adjust fiscal-year timing and allocate federal relief funds, including $65 million for PPE and testing and $20 million for services targeting seniors and at-risk populations. The bill passed 29-0 and moves to the House.
The Utah Senate on Thursday approved an emergency appropriations package to respond to the COVID-19 pandemic, reallocating federal relief funds and adjusting state cash-flow to avoid an education fund shortfall.
Senator Stevenson, the bill sponsor, told colleagues that SB 3,001 both shifts the timing of education fund appropriations to match delayed income-tax payments and earmarks portions of federal relief for immediate pandemic needs. "This bill does 2 things," Stevenson said, describing a revenue-timing maneuver and a targeted use of federal funds. He listed allocations including $65,000,000 for personal protective equipment, testing and emergency facilities; $11,000,000 for a small-business loan program; $2,000,000 for vaccine research; $10,000,000 for rapid antibody testing; and $20,000,000 for targeted services for at-risk populations.
The sponsor said the timing change crosses fiscal years to avoid a deficit caused by the federal tax-filing extension and that the cash-flow steps are intended to have a "net 0 effect" on the general education fund. When asked whether the federal funds had arrived, Stevenson replied that the state would not receive the full allotment until approximately April 24.
Under the measure, higher-education appropriations were reduced and replaced with general-fund appropriations to smooth fiscal timing between FY2020 and FY2021. The Senate approved the bill by roll-call vote, recorded as 29 yeas, 0 nays; the measure now goes to the House for consideration.
The bill is framed as an initial step; lawmakers said additional budget adjustments will be necessary as revenue estimates evolve and demand for services grows. The sponsor and fiscal staff indicated further appropriations and technical budget amendments are likely in subsequent sessions.
SB 3,001 passed the Senate and will be transmitted to the House for their consideration.
