Senate advances dozens of bills, passes financial-disclosure changes and school water-testing amendments; several bills tabled for fiscal notes

The Utah Senate used its floor session on Feb. 17 to consider conference reports, adopt standing committee assignments and take final action on a wide array of measures across criminal justice, transportation, education and health policy.

Conference committee and concurrence: The body adopted a conference committee report on financial disclosure changes to House Bill 91 and then considered the second substitute. Senator Hinkins explained the conference changes intended to exclude unsolicited items from campaign-disclosure obligations — for example, unsolicited lists or materials that a candidate did not request would not trigger a report — and said reporting is required when the material is solicited. The Senate recorded a roll-call on the concurrence and the clerk announced second substitute HB91 ‘‘having received 21 yay votes, 0 nay votes, 8 being absent’’ will return to the House for further consideration.

Education and public health bills: The Senate encircled and amended first substitute House Bill 21…