2026 General Legislative Session Day 35 (2/24/2026) Part 1 [Source] Translate

The meeting commenced with an opening prayer by President Stacey McKiff of Snow College, followed by the Pledge of Allegiance led by student body president Carson Hadley. A roll call confirmed the presence of 22 senators, establishing a quorum. Senator Owens acknowledged a youth leadership team from Snow College for their positive impact. Communications from the House included the passage of several bills related to education, juvenile justice, and higher education civics. Senator Kwan celebrated his father's 95th birthday, and Senator Baldry introduced Lehigh City Councilwoman Rachel Freeman to the Senate. The Senate discussed and voted on various bills, including: 1. **Second Substitute Senate Bill 34** - Passed with 25 votes, a technical alignment bill for public education. 2. **Senate Bill 220** - Veterans Scholarship Amendments, enhancing opportunities for Purple Heart recipients, passed unanimously. 3. **Second Substitute Senate Bill 227** - Addressing punitive damages, passed with 26 votes. 4. **First Substitute Senate Bill 240** - Higher Education Institutional Governance, passed with 21 votes. 5. **Senate Bill 230** - Consumer Credit Amendments, banning prepayment penalties, passed unanimously. 6. **Second Substitute Senate Bill 157** - New Motor Boat Distributor Act, passed with 25 votes. 7. **Third Substitute Senate Bill 210** - Nicotine Amendments, passed unanimously. 8. **First Substitute Senate Bill 226** - Fatal Motor Vehicle Accident Amendments, discussed but not voted on. Senator Johnson introduced **First Substitute Senate Bill 153**, enhancing voter registration records, which passed with 24 votes in favor and 4 against. Senators Plum and McKell requested to circle **Second Substitute Senate Bill 170** and **Second Substitute Senate Bill 154**, respectively. Senator Milner presented **First Substitute Senate Bill 241**, focusing on early literacy initiatives, which passed with 24 votes in favor and 1 against. Senator Harper introduced **Third Substitute Senate Bill 206**, consolidating tax increment financing proposals, which passed unanimously. Senator Harper and Senator Vickers motioned to circle **Second Substitute Senate Bill 221** and **Third Substitute Senate Bill 31** due to the absence of fiscal notes. Senator Plum discussed **Senate Bill 142**, which clarifies private probation provisions, passing with 23 votes. Senator Brammer introduced **First Substitute Senate Bill 233**, amending judicial performance evaluation standards, which passed with 18 votes in favor and 7 against. Senators Fillmore and Pitcher motioned to circle **Third Substitute Senate Bill 119** and **First Substitute Senate Bill 200**. Senator McKell presented **Senate Bill 235**, proposing a salary increase for the Attorney General, which passed unanimously. Senator Sandel motioned to circle **First Substitute Senate Joint Resolution 6**, while Senator McKell discussed **Senate Joint Resolution 10**, which passed with 23 votes in favor and 1 against. Senator Owens introduced **Third Substitute Senate Bill 209**, proposing a study for the Gooseberry Narrows area as a potential state park, which passed with 21 votes in favor and 3 against. Senator Milner began discussing **First Substitute Senate Bill 254** regarding critical minerals amendments, but the discussion was not completed. Senator Pitcher explained a bill allowing new parents to bring infants to work, which passed after a motion to substitute. The meeting included discussions on **Senate Bill 196** addressing wrongful liens and **Senate Bill 258** expanding the infant-at-work program, both receiving favorable votes. Senator McKay motioned to substitute **Senate Bill 258**, adding a three-year sunset date for review, which passed without opposition. Senator Vickers presented **Senate Bill 261**, updating the Pharmacy Practice Act, which passed with 24 votes in favor. Senator Escamilla introduced **Senate Bill 180**, expanding free lunch eligibility for low-income students, which passed with 22 votes after amendments. **Senate Bill 181**, establishing safety standards for seclusion rooms in schools, was substituted and passed with 23 votes. Senator Stevenson motioned to circle **Senate Bill 244**, which was approved. Senator Kwan discussed **Senate Bill 175**, studying autism diagnosis issues, which passed with 22 votes in favor. Senator Owens presented **Senate Bill 93**, a cleanup bill for the Department of Corrections, which passed with 24 votes. Senator Fillmore announced a Rules Committee meeting following the recess, and Senator Cullimore mentioned a caucus lunch. The Senate then recessed until 2 p.m.