This morning, at approximately 11:15 AM, the Senate debated 1HB 140 (sponsor Rep. Brad Dee). Senator Dan Liljenquist, the senate sponsor of the bill, began the discussion by substituting the bill amending some provisions that UPEA had requested. UPEA lobbied very hard on the bill to ensure that merit principles within the Personnel Management Act were kept in place, including appealable items. Liljenquist stated that "the bill has been worked on very aggressively by the Utah Public Employees' Association."
The bill passed both the Senate 2nd and 3rd reading calendars with a 20-5 vote. Because the bill was amended, it was sent back to the House for a final vote. It was placed on the House concurrence calendar, and should pass prior to the end of the legislative session.
