Senate approves $5 million University of Utah settlement resolution

The Utah Senate on March 1 passed Senate Joint Resolution 11, approving a proposed $5,000,000 settlement between the University of Utah and the Dong family related to the death of a student. Senator Stevenson, sponsor of the resolution, said the funds are drawn from "funds of the University of Utah" and "are not coming from the state budget," and that legislative approval is required for this form of settlement.

SJR 11 was taken under suspension of the rules and read on the floor. Stevenson told senators the bill had a hearing in the Executive Appropriations Committee and that the University—not state general funds—would pay the settlement. With no further floor discussion, the Senate conducted a roll call vote; the resolution received 24 yay votes, 0 nay votes, with five senators recorded as absent in the transcript and was forwarded to the House for consideration.

The resolution’s sponsor framed the vote as a technical, required legislative approval rather than a budgetary commitment by the Legislature. The president directed that the measure be sent to the House for its consideration; the transcript records no amendment or alternate funding source discussed on the floor.

Next steps: SJR 11 will be transmitted to the Utah House of Representatives for further consideration under the legislative process.