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House clears a package of pandemic-related bills, including appropriations, unemployment and K-12 waivers
Summary
In a series of votes the House passed SB 3,001 (budget timing and limited appropriations), SJR 3-01 (accept federal COVID funds), SB 3,003 (unemployment waiting-period removal), and SB 3,005 (education waivers); tallies ranged from unanimous to 73–0 depending on the measure.
The Utah House on April 16 approved multiple measures intended to manage fiscal impacts and policy adjustments during the COVID-19 pandemic.
Representative Last presented Senate Bill 3,001, described as a cash-flow measure that shifts the timing of Education Fund receipts after the state moved income-tax deadlines from April 15 to July 15 (the sponsor estimated roughly $840 million in Education Fund revenue would move into FY2021). The bill also authorizes approximately $108 million of available federal coronavirus relief fund dollars for PPE, testing, small business assistance, vaccine research and targeted services; Representative Last characterized the actions as timing maneuvers with no net long-term impact on the general and education funds. The House voted to pass SB 3,001, 72–0.
On SJR 3-01 — a joint resolution approving acceptance of federal COVID-19 funds — the House passed the measure 73–0 and transmitted it back to the Senate for signature.
Representative Peterson presented SB 3,003, which removes a one-week waiting period for unemployment insurance eligibility consistent with federal CARES Act guidance and makes the change retroactive to Jan. 1; the House passed SB 3,003 73–0.
Representative Snow presented first substitute SB 3,005 to waive certain school obligations this academic year: a civics-test graduation requirement (subject to student board request), year-end student assessments, and employee evaluations; the bill requires the State Board of Education to report to the education interim committee in October on impacts. SB 3,005 passed the House 72–1.
These votes were part of a broader special-session agenda that included larger policy measures and the creation of an advisory commission; leaders said some appropriations and spending decisions will be addressed in later special sessions.
