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Senate advances several bills and circles others in expedited floor session
Summary
In an expedited floor session, the Utah Senate passed SB 234 (online education expansion), SB 237 (shelter revisions), SB 244 (student religious accommodations), and SB 214 (official-language amendments); SB 163 and SB 243 were circled for later, and SB 242 was filed after failing on a close vote.
The Utah Senate moved quickly through its third- and second-reading calendars after suspending procedural rules for the day, approving several bills and parking others for later consideration.
Key roll-call results announced on the floor included:
- Senate Bill 234 (first substitute): Expand the statewide online education program to include seventh and eighth graders. Passed 25–1 with 3 absent; sent to the House.
- Senate Bill 237: Revisions to bridal-shelter/animal control provisions. Passed 26–0 with 3 absent; sent to the House.
- Senate Bill 244: Student Religious Accommodations for higher education; requires reasonable accommodations for sincerely held religious beliefs and conflicts with academic requirements. Passed 27–0 with 2 absent; sent to the House.
- Senate Bill 214: Official-language amendments (see separate story). Passed 21–8 after floor debate.
The chamber 'circled' (set aside for later review) second substitute SB 163 (campus safety amendments) after the sponsor offered a third substitute that would remove a proposed commission; senators asked for time to read the substitute and the motion to circle passed. The Senate also circled second substitute SB 243 (political subdivisions amendments) for later consideration.
One highlighted outcome was SB 242 (alternative education tax credit), which failed on the floor and was filed after a roll-call vote of 12–14 with 3 absent.
Procedural notes: Earlier in the evening the chamber voted to suspend its rules and the constitutional three-reading requirement for bills being considered that day to expedite business. After the night's actions the Senate recessed for a short saunter.
The House will receive the passed bills for its consideration; any differences could trigger conference committees.
