Senate passes base budget bills (SB 1, SB 4, SB 6, SB 7) and sends them to the House

The Utah Senate moved and passed a package of base budget bills during its ninth day of session.

Senate Bill 1 (higher education base budget), described on the floor as "just under $9 billion," received a technical amendment and was passed under suspension of the constitutional three‑reading requirement. The clerk announced SB 1 had received 28 yay votes, 0 nay votes, and 1 absent.

Senate Bill 4 (business, economic development and labor base budget) was amended to restore pass‑through dollars, the amendment was adopted by voice vote, and the bill passed under suspension of the rules with a recorded vote of 28 yay, 0 nay, 1 absent.

Senate Bill 6 (infrastructure and general government base budget) included an amendment adding intent language for hospital funding and Department of Transportation prioritization; the amendment passed and SB 6 passed the full Senate 28‑0 with 1 absence.

Senate Bill 7 (National Guard, Veterans Affairs and Legislature base budgets) was presented and passed under suspension of the rules with 28 ayes, 0 nays and 1 absent.

All four bills were transmitted to the House for their consideration. Sponsors emphasized the bills are base budgets intended to keep institutions and services operating; several sponsors invoked "keeping the doors open and the lights on" as they moved their measures forward.

No floor amendments were adopted that altered the core appropriations beyond the technical and intent changes described; additional budget negotiations will continue between the chambers as the session progresses.