Utah Senate advances package of bills, including free-speech, tip-pooling and naturopathic licensing measures

The Utah State Senate convened Jan. 24 and approved a series of bills that the body will send to the House for consideration. Among the measures that passed were Senate Bill 18, Senate Bill 73, and the first substitute of Senate Bill 78.

Senate Bill 18, titled the Public Expression Protection Act and sponsored by Senator Curtis S. Bramble, passed the Senate by roll call. "This bill protects public expression, freedom of speech in the public square," Bramble said, adding that the bill "provides a mechanism where, currently, the courts have been used" to limit speech. The bill passed the Senate with 26 yeas, 0 nays, and 3 senators absent.

On the consent calendar, Senate Bill 90 (automobile franchise amendments), presented by Senator Bramble, was approved by recorded unanimous consent and logged as 25 yeas, 0 nays, and 4 absent. Bramble described the measure as updating the vehicle franchise code and refining provisions governing relationships between dealers and manufacturers.

Senate Concurrent Resolution 4, sponsored by Senator Ipsen, encouraging awareness and screening for hypertrophic cardiomyopathy (HCM), passed by voice/roll call with 26 yeas, 0 nays, and 3 absent. "What this bill does is it raises awareness for HCM by recognizing it as a significant public health risk," Ipsen said.

The Senate also voted to lift several base budget bills from the Rules Committee and place them at the top of the second-reading calendar, a procedural move urged by Senator Stevenson to meet session deadlines.

The Senate adjourned after announcements and will reconvene at 11 a.m. the following day.

Votes at a glance: SB90 (automobile franchise amendments) — 25–0–4 (yea–nay–absent); SB18 (Public Expression Protection Act) — 26–0–3; SCR4 (HCM awareness) — 26–0–3.