House adopts substitute giving state employees choice on leave and retirement in S.B. 229

The Utah House on March 5 adopted the fourth substitute to S.B. 229, a package that restructures state employee leave and retirement options while preserving a choice for current workers.

Representative Thurston, the floor sponsor, told colleagues the substitute gives “every state employee the choice: keep what you currently have, or move to the new version of the benefits” and emphasized that new employees would be automatically enrolled in the new program. He said the change creates a single paid-time-off system and increases retirement contributions “based on a percentage of your income,” allowing higher-income employees larger retirement deposits.

Representative Wilcox, who moved reconsideration to bring the bill back for further work, described the measure as “imminently fair to both sides,” saying it protects workers who prefer existing packages while offering a competitive option for recruitment.

Representative Matthews asked whether an employee who later is promoted would lose a grandfathered package; Thurston replied that the sponsor’s intent is that the employee’s original choice is permanent and remains with them if promoted.

After the sponsor waived further summation, the House voted to adopt the fourth substitute and passed S.B. 229 by a tally of 57 yes and 17 no. The clerk announced the bill will be transmitted back to the Senate for further consideration.

Votes at a glance: Motion to adopt fourth substitute S.B. 229 — Passed. Vote: 57 yes, 17 no.

Next steps: The bill will be sent to the Senate for its consideration and any further action there.