Utah Senate advances wide slate of bills, marks Day of Remembrance and hears updated revenue forecast

SALT LAKE CITY — The Utah State Senate on Feb. 19 moved dozens of measures through third reading, approved an official Day of Remembrance citation recognizing the WWII incarceration of Japanese Americans, and heard fresh revenue estimates that lawmakers said will shape budget decisions in the coming weeks.

The chamber approved measures spanning public safety, education reporting and administrative changes. Senator McCall urged support for House Bill 135, which redefines "congregate care" to align state definitions with federal interstate-compact standards for youth placement; the Senate passed the bill on a roll-call of 24 yeas and 0 nays, with 5 absent. Senator Thatcher summarized House Bill 22, which requires the chief medical examiner to investigate deaths resulting directly from law enforcement actions; the Senate passed HB 22 23-0 with 6 absent.

Other bills the chamber passed included first substitute House Bill 65, which provides funding and a public risk map for wildland fires and directs a comparison of federal, state and municipal wildland agencies; the Senate recorded 25 yeas, 0 nays, 4 absent. First substitute House Bill 175 raised some risk-management settlement thresholds and clarified evidentiary protections; the Senate approved it with the vote recorded as 23 yeas, 0 nays, 6 absent. First substitute Senate Bill 51 (technical group/gang enhancement amendments) was approved on unanimous recorded support mentioned in the floor action.

A notable…