Bills advanced on Utah Senate floor Feb. 14: votes and short descriptions

The Utah Senate on Feb. 14 advanced multiple bills by roll call or adopted substitutes; the table below summarizes key measures, floor description, and recorded votes.

S.B. 146 — Division of Oil, Gas and Mining Amendments Senator Winterton said the first substitute clarifies definitions of crude oil and tar sands (including liquid tar sands produced at wellhead) and gives guidance to administering agencies. The Senate recorded 26 yeas, 0 nays, 3 absent; the bill was read a third time.

S.B. 147 — Utah Communications Authority amendments Senator Harper said the measure reduces per‑line UCA charges (26¢ per line initially and a further 32¢ later) and clarifies budgetary procedures; sponsors requested ARPA appropriations to fund the reductions. The roll call showed 25 yeas, 0 nays, 4 absent; the bill was read a third time.

S.B. 106 — Electric facility sales tax exemption Senator Ibsen explained the bill allows rural electric associations to purchase equipment on a pass‑through, tax‑exempt basis. After a motion to uncircle, the roll call was 25 yeas, 0 nays, 4 absent; the bill was read a third time.

S.B. 148 — Construction registry amendments (first substitute adopted) Sponsors said the first substitute removed an attempted renaming and focused the bill on making parts of the construction registry outward‑facing to help customers find licensed contractors. The substitute was adopted; the roll call was 25 yeas, 0 nays, 4 absent.

S.B. 173 — Alarm system amendments Senator Ibsen described the bill as legalizing certain low‑voltage alarm fences used with security fencing. The roll call showed 24 yeas, 0 nays, 5 absent; the bill was read a third time.

S.B. 180 — Massage Therapy Practice Act amendments (two‑tier licensing) Senator Bramble described a two‑tiered licensing system and an apprenticeship path intended to lower barriers to entry. Sponsors said a substitute would include certification criteria to protect public health. Several senators raised concerns linking two‑tier systems elsewhere to increased human trafficking; Senator Wyler and others requested specific amendments on third reading. Roll call: 20 yeas, 6 nays, 3 absent; S.B. 180 will be read a third time with a substitute expected to address enforcement and certification details.

Several other committee reports were approved or referred to calendars during the session. Where senators raised concerns about a bill (notably S.B. 180), sponsors said they expected substitute language before final action that would address public‑safety and enforcement concerns.