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SALT LAKE CITY — The Utah Legislature began its emergency special session Thursday morning, creating a number of firsts as the state seeks to address problems stemming from the COVID-19 pandemic.
The session marks the first time the Utah Legislature has met remotely and the first time it has called itself into a special session. While House Speaker Brad Wilson, R-Kaysville, and Senate President Stuart Adams, R-Layton, were present at the Capitol along with some staff, the rest of the elected officials convened via teleconferencing technology.
That technology temporarily derailed the day when a nationwide system outage delayed the Senate's planned 2 p.m. start time, but the legislative body was able to begin its floor time exactly one hour later. The Senate passed seven of the eight items the House had sent its way that morning, including a bill that makes Utah's upcoming June primary election almost entirely vote-by-mail.
The bill makes the June primary all vote-by-mail unless county clerks allow drive-up polling #utpol#utleg. Also includes provisions to address concerns around accommodating voters with disabilities #utpol#utleg
— Katie McKellar (@KatieMcKellar1) April 16, 2020
HB3006, sponsored by House Budget Vice Chairman Jefferson Moss, R-Saratoga Springs, gives county elections officials the option to use drive-up voting on Election Day if they choose.
In its morning floor time, the House passed six bills and two resolutions; all but one were passed without opposition.
One resolution encouraged state and local governments to use "fiscal responsibility" in lean economic times, and the other honored health care workers on the front lines of the pandemic.
One bill, HB3005, was opposed by 18 representatives and was later circled in the Senate so the body can come back to it later. Floor sponsor and Senate Majority Leader Evan Vickers, R-Cedar City, said legislators are "working with the governor's office on a possible substitution" for the bill.
The bill as written would require the governor to give the Legislature 48 hours' notice before issuing an emergency declaration, if possible. Some representatives argued it would unnecessarily hinder the executive branch.
Adams said the governor would still be able to issue an order immediately for "a life-threatening situation" and "explain it later" to the Legislature. "We certainly don't want to impede — in any way, shape or form — the ability of the executive officer to respond to crisis," Adams said.
SB3004 also drew six no votes in the Senate. The bill would create the Public Health and Economic Emergency Commission to advise the governor on how to reopen the Utah economy. The commission's recommendations would not be binding, but the governor would have to explain why if he did not implement them.
"The intent is not to do anything recklessly," said bill sponsor and Senate Majority Whip Dan Hemmert, R-Orem. "The commission's just been tasked to come up with a plan to move us from our current risk level to a slightly lower risk level." His bill is now moving to the House.
Other bills passed out of the Legislature Thursday included one to provide workers' compensation to first responders who contract COVID-19 and one that formally extends the state income tax deadline.
House Minority Leader Brian King, D-Salt Lake City, said at the end of House floor time that the remote meeting had gone "remarkably well" and urged lawmakers to strive for continued transparency in the virtual session.
That had been a concern with the session, as the Legislature was unable to hold any committee hearings on the proposed bills and comments submitted online were not publicly visible. Senate Minority Leader Karen Mayne, D-West Valley City, assured reporters after floor time that "many voices" were involved in crafting the legislation heard Thursday.
"I think every piece of legislation had that ingredient in it, the ones I worked on and all the ones we voted on today," Mayne said. "I think we reached out to everyone. The more we reach out, the smarter we get, and the more encompassing the scope is."
Pres. @JStuartAdams and the entire Utah Senate pause to honor and thank health care workers, 1st responders and all others providing essential services. They gave an enthusiastic, heartfelt thumbs up from home on their screens to represent the usual group standing ovation. #utpolpic.twitter.com/0U2TLu7yAA
— Utah Senate (@utahsenate) April 17, 2020
Adams said he received "hundreds" of comments on the legislation posted online before the session began.
Wilson and Adams praised the state staff who handled the logistics and technology of the unprecedented session. Adams said he's "confident" the special session will extend into next week. It can last for up to 10 days.
The House will reconvene Friday at 9 a.m., and the Senate later at 2 p.m.
