Utah House advances multiple budgets and resolutions, including centennial recognition of counties

The Utah House of Representatives convened Jan. 23–24, 2024 and conducted a broad set of routine and substantive floor actions: committees’ reports were adopted, a number of bills were read and referred, several appropriations bills were advanced, and ceremonial resolutions were adopted.

Key outcomes recorded on the floor included:

• SJR 6 (joint resolution authorizing pay for in-session employees) — presented by Representative Jefferson Moss; fiscal note $59,000; passed 71–0 and returned to the Senate. (Vote recorded on floor.)

• HB 1 (public education base budget, first substitute) — adopted and passed 71–0; sponsors outlined a roughly $7.0 billion FY2025 funding package including WPU inflation adjustments and enrollment-growth funding.

• HB 5 (natural resources, agriculture, environmental quality base budget) — presented by Representative Barlow; sponsors noted a transfer of $50,000,000 to water resources operating/capital for aqueduct seismic upgrades and an FY2025 appropriation near $999,000,000; passed 72–0.

• HB 6 (executive offices and criminal justice budget) — presented by Representative Burton; passed 71–0.

• HB 7 (social services base budget) — presented by Representative Ward; passed 71 yes, 1 no.

• SCR 2 (concurrent resolution honoring the Utah Association of Counties centennial) — expedited under suspension of the rules and passed 72–0; the resolution was presented with UAC CEO Brandy Grace and President Curtis Koch attending on the floor.

• HB 74 (utility relocation cost-sharing amendments) — passed 68–1 after sponsor Q&A about cost-share rules and treatment of utilities that predate UDOT rights-of-way.

• HB 116 (commercial PACE/biofuels financing amendments) — passed 66–0 after sponsor explanation about enabling financing for biofuels projects and permitting off-site use.

Several bills were referred to standing committees per the Rules Committee report, and the House adjourned until Jan. 25, 2024 at 11:00 a.m.

Next step: Bills that passed will be transmitted to the Senate as noted; assigned bills will be heard in their designated committees as allocated by the Rules Committee.