Utah Senate confirms governor’s appointments, advances records, mining and food‑security bills and backs Ukraine resolution
February 28, 2022 | 2022 Utah Legislature, Utah Legislature, Utah Legislative Branch, Utah
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The Utah State Senate on the floor Tuesday consented to a slate of gubernatorial appointees, advanced multiple bills to third reading and passed a symbolic resolution supporting Ukraine.
The Senate granted consent to the governor’s appointments after a roll‑call that the presiding officer reported as 43 ayes, 0 nays and five absent. The slate included appointments to the Air Quality Board, Board of Pardons and Parole, Board of Tourism Development and multiple water conservancy district seats; the governor’s letter cited Utah Code 67‑1‑1 and 67‑1‑2 and included documentation that nominees meet statutory requirements. Senators also waived a 30‑day waiting period for Kathy Loveless’s appointment to the Central Utah Water Conservancy District Board.
Why it matters: confirmation affects staffing of agencies that regulate environmental quality, economic development and water resources. Several appointees named in the governor’s letter will have oversight or voting authority on rule‑making and regional water matters.
On legislation, the Senate moved several measures forward. Senator Cullimore presented Senate Bill 254, described as revisions to government records access intended to protect sensitive information about drinking‑water and wastewater systems. The sponsor said the bill expands protected categories under current law (including security plans and engineering/architectural drawings) and that committee amendments were made to address media and GRAMA concerns. Senator Harper questioned whether the bill preserves municipal access to buried‑infrastructure records for road planning; the sponsor said cities should still be able to obtain necessary information and that he would follow up on coordination specifics. The presiding officer announced SB 254 will be read for a third time after a recorded vote.
Senator Hinkins outlined Senate Bill 250, a post‑performance mineral exploration tax credit for hard‑rock mining companies. He cited industry figures (a National Mining Association estimate of 38,000 direct and indirect Utah jobs and a $6.2 billion contribution to Utah’s GDP) and said the credit requires companies to begin producing and paying new severance taxes before claiming the credit. The sponsor said the program is capped at $20 million, with the fiscal note estimating a $7 million impact under a full cap scenario; he said a technical substitute is expected. The Senate advanced SB 250 to the third‑reading calendar.
Senator Escamilla presented a second substitute for Senate Bill 133 to create a Food Security Council housed at Utah State University to coordinate state efforts to prioritize nutritious Utah‑grown food and improve access. In response to a question, Escamilla said the bill intentionally focuses on food security and does not direct the council to take up broader poverty‑related issues such as income equality or affordable housing. The Senate approved the substitute and moved SB 133 to third reading.
Under suspension of rules, the Senate considered and passed House Concurrent Resolution 21, a nonbinding statement urging an immediate ceasefire in Ukraine, stronger economic sanctions by the federal government and humanitarian assistance; the chamber recorded the motion and returned the signed resolution to the House for the Speaker’s signature.
Votes at a glance: consent to governor’s appointments — reported 43 aye, 0 nay, 5 absent; SB 254 — advanced to third reading (reported vote noted in session); SB 250 — advanced to third reading; SB 133 (second substitute) — advanced to third reading (reported 24 aye, 2 nay, 3 absent); HCR 21 (Ukraine) — passed under suspension (reported 28 aye, 0 nay, 1 absent).
What’s next: each advanced bill will appear on the Senate third‑reading calendar for final passage votes and any floor amendments; the confirmed appointees will be sworn and assume duties according to agency rules. The resolution will be sent back to the House for the Speaker’s signature.
The Senate granted consent to the governor’s appointments after a roll‑call that the presiding officer reported as 43 ayes, 0 nays and five absent. The slate included appointments to the Air Quality Board, Board of Pardons and Parole, Board of Tourism Development and multiple water conservancy district seats; the governor’s letter cited Utah Code 67‑1‑1 and 67‑1‑2 and included documentation that nominees meet statutory requirements. Senators also waived a 30‑day waiting period for Kathy Loveless’s appointment to the Central Utah Water Conservancy District Board.
Why it matters: confirmation affects staffing of agencies that regulate environmental quality, economic development and water resources. Several appointees named in the governor’s letter will have oversight or voting authority on rule‑making and regional water matters.
On legislation, the Senate moved several measures forward. Senator Cullimore presented Senate Bill 254, described as revisions to government records access intended to protect sensitive information about drinking‑water and wastewater systems. The sponsor said the bill expands protected categories under current law (including security plans and engineering/architectural drawings) and that committee amendments were made to address media and GRAMA concerns. Senator Harper questioned whether the bill preserves municipal access to buried‑infrastructure records for road planning; the sponsor said cities should still be able to obtain necessary information and that he would follow up on coordination specifics. The presiding officer announced SB 254 will be read for a third time after a recorded vote.
Senator Hinkins outlined Senate Bill 250, a post‑performance mineral exploration tax credit for hard‑rock mining companies. He cited industry figures (a National Mining Association estimate of 38,000 direct and indirect Utah jobs and a $6.2 billion contribution to Utah’s GDP) and said the credit requires companies to begin producing and paying new severance taxes before claiming the credit. The sponsor said the program is capped at $20 million, with the fiscal note estimating a $7 million impact under a full cap scenario; he said a technical substitute is expected. The Senate advanced SB 250 to the third‑reading calendar.
Senator Escamilla presented a second substitute for Senate Bill 133 to create a Food Security Council housed at Utah State University to coordinate state efforts to prioritize nutritious Utah‑grown food and improve access. In response to a question, Escamilla said the bill intentionally focuses on food security and does not direct the council to take up broader poverty‑related issues such as income equality or affordable housing. The Senate approved the substitute and moved SB 133 to third reading.
Under suspension of rules, the Senate considered and passed House Concurrent Resolution 21, a nonbinding statement urging an immediate ceasefire in Ukraine, stronger economic sanctions by the federal government and humanitarian assistance; the chamber recorded the motion and returned the signed resolution to the House for the Speaker’s signature.
Votes at a glance: consent to governor’s appointments — reported 43 aye, 0 nay, 5 absent; SB 254 — advanced to third reading (reported vote noted in session); SB 250 — advanced to third reading; SB 133 (second substitute) — advanced to third reading (reported 24 aye, 2 nay, 3 absent); HCR 21 (Ukraine) — passed under suspension (reported 28 aye, 0 nay, 1 absent).
What’s next: each advanced bill will appear on the Senate third‑reading calendar for final passage votes and any floor amendments; the confirmed appointees will be sworn and assume duties according to agency rules. The resolution will be sent back to the House for the Speaker’s signature.
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