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House advances package of bills and resolutions; several pass unanimously
Summary
On Feb. 6, 2020 the House adopted multiple committee reports and passed a string of bills and a concurrent resolution on third reading, including unanimous passage of several Senate bills (SB 18, SB 19, SB 20, SB 27) and passage of House measures placed on the calendar; most measures were noncontroversial and sent back to the Senate or to concurrence.
The Utah House on Feb. 6 adopted several committee reports and approved a slate of bills and one concurrent resolution on third reading, many by unanimous voice or recorded votes with no opposition.
Senate Bill 18, a divorce-related amendment sponsored in the House by Representative Larry Snow, clarifies that retirement can qualify as a change of circumstances permitting a trial court to review an alimony provision. Representative Snow said the bill allows courts to consider retirement as a basis to reopen an alimony determination; the House passed SB 18 by voice/recorded vote of 71-0.
First substitute Senate Bill 27, sponsored in the House by Representative Lisenby, requires the attorney general to notify the legislative general counsel within three business days when the AG becomes a party to a state or federal case challenging the constitutionality of a statute and to provide monthly dispositional reports when there is a dispositive action. The House passed the substitute 72-0.
Bills affecting natural-resources and environment programs also passed on third reading. Senate Bill 19 (land-exchange distribution account amendments) and Senate Bill 20 (Hazardous Substance Mitigation Act sunset extension) were presented by Representative Stratton and passed the House (SB 19 by 72-0; SB 20 recorded 73-0 after a leave-to-cast vote). Representative Kristofferson presented Senate Bill 25 (state highway system modifications), which the House approved 70-0; the bill adjusts descriptions and adds three roads to the state system with an estimated maintenance cost of about $25,800 annually for those additions.
The House also agreed to suspend the rules to advance SCR 5, a concurrent resolution recognizing Utah’s National Blue Ribbon Schools. Four schools were recognized; SCR 5 passed 70-0 and will be returned to the Senate for signature.
On the House third-reading calendar, Representative Perry presented House Bill 148 (Inspiring School Employees Award Program), a measure to recognize classified school employees statewide; it passed 72-0 and will be transmitted to the Senate. House Bill 30 (workforce services amendments), a committee bill to increase civil penalties for childcare fraud and move the safety-net program to the Department of Human Services, was circled (set aside) per a motion and will be managed through the calendar.
Most measures on the floor were approved without extended debate and will proceed to the Senate for concurrence or signature as appropriate. The House adjourned and scheduled reconvening for the following day.
