Senate advances multiple FY2024 budget bills under suspension of rules; several bills pass to the House

The Utah Senate used procedural suspension on Jan. 25 to expedite consideration and passage of several fiscal bills covering major state functions and the start of the 2024 budget process.

Senator Stevenson opened the budget discussion saying the measures begin the annual work: "These bills ... are nearly $25,000,000,000 from all sources, including $9,800,000,000 from the general income tax fund and uniform school fund," he said. The Senate moved under suspension of rules to consider and advance multiple appropriations bills.

Senate Bill 5 (Natural Resources, Agriculture and Environmental Quality) was presented by Senator Sandel. He said the bill appropriates approximately $722 million for FY2024, including $168 million from the general fund, and contains one‑time and ongoing allocations for wildfire suppression, Graveyard Wash storage and other items. The Senate passed SB5 under suspension of the rules by a recorded vote of 28–0–1; it will be sent to the House.

Senate Bill 6 (Executive Offices and Criminal Justice) was presented by Senator Owens and appropriates roughly $1.2 billion for agencies that include the attorney general, corrections, courts, juvenile justice, the Department of Public Safety and the state treasurer. Senate passage under suspension of rules was 28–0–1.

Senate Bill 7 (Social Services base budget) was presented by Senator Anderegg. It funds the Health Department and Workforce Services and relies heavily on federal funds to pay Medicaid services; senators adopted a spelling correction amendment and passed the bill 27–0–2 under suspension of rules.

Senate Bill 1 (Public Education based budget amendments) was debated and briefly circled while substitutes were finalized; Senator Fillmore said the public education package repropriates roughly $7 billion, increases the WPU by 3.4 percent and transfers funds into the public education stabilization fund. SB1 passed the Senate under suspension of rules, 28–0–1, and will be transmitted to the House.

House Joint Resolution 6 (authorizing pay for in‑session employees) was also considered under suspension and passed 28–0–1; it will be signed by the president and returned to the House for the Speaker's signature.

All of the listed bills will proceed to the House for consideration or follow the usual interchamber process. The Senate adjourned until 11 a.m. the next day.