Senate passes $1.6 billion supplemental appropriations bill after amendment

The Utah Senate on the floor advanced and passed Senate Bill 2, a supplemental appropriations act that adds roughly $1.6 billion to the next fiscal year’s budget and moves significant sums among state accounts.

Sponsor remarks and bill text: The bill’s sponsor told the chamber the measure supplements appropriations for fiscal year 2022 (the year beginning July 1), incorporates items recommended by Executive Appropriations and appropriations subcommittees, and lists totals including about $1,600,000,000 with $426,400,000 identified from the general and education funds and transfers of $432,900,000 to other funds and accounts. The sponsor offered to answer questions, and none were raised on the floor.

Amendment adopted: Senator McKell offered Amendment 1 to itemize how some funds earmarked for Utah Lake will be used; Senators adopted the amendment without debate. The amendment was placed in Senator McKell’s name and the presiding officer announced the bill was amended accordingly.

Procedural steps and passage: The Senate suspended the constitutional three-reading requirement for the bill and moved under suspension of rules to consider final passage. A roll-call vote was taken; the presiding officer announced the bill received 26 ayes, 0 nays, with 3 senators absent. The measure passed the Senate and will be sent to the House for consideration.

What’s next: With the Senate’s passage, Senate Bill 2 proceeds to the House for its consideration and any subsequent action there. The sponsor said staff provided an index showing approved items and where they appear in the appropriations acts.

Sources: Floor remarks and roll-call announcements during the Senate’s final-week floor session.