SALT LAKE CITY — The Utah Senate passed a bill that removes the homosexuality reference from prohibited topics in sex education, a bill passed requiring motorcyclists to wear helmets until age 21 and the Senate passed a bill that would end mandatory vehicle safety inspections.

Here is a roundup of what's happening during the final days of Utah's 2017 legislative session:

House passes 'we got your back' bill involving federal funds

HB136, whom some have dubbed the “we got your back bill,” won final passage Wednesday in the Utah House of Representatives.

The bill, sponsored by Rep. Mike Kennedy, R-Alpine, provides assurances to the Utah State Board of Education that after analyzing the fiscal impacts of foregoing federal grants with requirements it deems contrary to Utah’s education objectives, it can turn to the Legislature to help make up the difference.

The Legislature may have the State School Board's back philosophically, but lawmakers would not be obligated to fund requests, “and we note that in statute,” said Sen. Deidre Henderson, R-Spanish Fork.

Bill passage affirms 'all students are equal,' Equality Utah member says

The Utah Senate gave final passage Wednesday to a bill that removes the homosexuality reference from prohibited topics in sex education instruction in public schools.

Professor Cliff Rosky, a member of Equality Utah’s Advisory Council, said passage of SB196 on a 27-1 vote affirms that "all students are equal." The bill previously passed the House with a 68-1 vote.

“We are confident that in the coming weeks we can work with the attorney general's office, the Utah State Board of Education and local school districts to bring an end to our lawsuit by ensuring that the intent of SB196 is carried out in all of our state's public schools and charter schools,” Rosky said.

In committee debate earlier in the legislative session, the bill's sponsor, Senate Majority Whip Stuart Adams, R-Layton, said the legislation is intended to treat all students equally with respect to sex education instruction in Utah public schools.

There was no debate in the Senate on final passage of the bill, as the vote was largely procedural to approve a technical amendment to legislation that had been previously approved by the Senate.

Sen. Margaret Dayton, R-Orem, cast the lone dissenting vote.

Bill providing $350,000 to develop study materials on federalism fails in Senate

A bill that would have given the state Commission on Federalism $350,000 to develop study materials available to the public failed to pass Wednesday in the Senate.

The appropriation in HB207, sponsored by Rep. Ken Ivory, R-West Jordan, the House chairman of the commission, would have enabled the hiring of consultants, including Utah Valley University.

Their job would have been to "study the practical application of fundamental principles of federalism" as states attempt to restore "a federal government with limited, delegated powers in order to secure the liberty of our people," according to the bill.

Other concerns about the bill was a reference to Article V in the Constitution, which allows states to call for an amendment convention. Senators defeated a resolution calling for such a convention earlier this session.

The federalism bill failed to advance 11-17.

A 'monumental' step: Lawmakers approve $1.8 million tax break for clean fuel production

Utah lawmakers have passed a bill that would give refineries a $1.8 million tax break incentive to produce cleaner fuel.

The House on Wednesday voted 72-0 to pass SB197, which expands a sales tax exemption for refineries that produce cleaner Tier 3 fuels. It now goes to Gov. Gary Herbert for consideration.

The bill's House sponsor, House Majority Leader Brad Wilson, R-Kaysville, called the bill a "monumental" step toward cleaning up Utah's air.

t's estimated that SB197 will cost the state $2.1 million a year starting in 2019, according to the bill's fiscal note.

An earlier version of the bill called for a $60 million tax break for manufacturers, but it was amended to make it more palatable to lawmakers.

Legislature approves $100 million bond for prison infrastructure

Legislators approved final passage Wednesday of a bill that would increase bonding for the new Utah State Prison by $100 million.

The bill expanding the bonding from $475 million to $575 million for the project in northwest Salt Lake City advanced through the House and Senate this week without a public hearing, raising the concerns of cost and complaints from Salt Lake City Democrats.

The bill cleared the House on Monday with a 58-10 vote, and the Senate then passed it with an amendment to correct a spelling error, 23-4, leaving one last vote in the House before forwarding the bill to Gov. Gary Herbert. The House passed the bill 58-13.

The bill's passage comes despite opposition, with Salt Lake lawmakers complaining that costs have increased for a site the city never wanted.

Bill to change governance of Utah High School Activities Association heads to final passage

The governance and operations the Utah High School Activities Association face significant changes upon final passage of HB413.

The bill, which reduces the governing board from 32 members to 15, creates an independent appeals board and requires the organization to comply with state open meetings and records laws.

HB413 was approved Wednesday by a 22-4 vote of the Utah Senate and returned to the House to address a clarifying amendment.

The bill does not address transfers of student athletes to other schools but makes many other needed changes that ensure transparency and accountability of the organization, said Sen. Dan Hemmert, R-Orem, HB413's Senate sponsor.

Senate gives final passage to grant program for kindergarten enrichment programs

The Utah Senate gave final approval Wednesday evening to legislation that creates a grant program to support kindergarten enrichment programs.

HB168, sponsored by Rep. Lowry Snow, R-Santa Clara, is optional for parents but would grant schools resources to help struggling students gain the skills they need to perform on grade level by third grade.

The program would be supported by about $200,000 in state funds and more than $2.8 million in federal Temporary Assistance to Needy Family funds.

The Senate voted 27-2 to pass the bill, which will now be sent to Gov. Gary Herbert for his consideration.

Yesterday's legislative roundup:

Porn lawsuit bill sails through; Final-hour bill to control prison area raises red flags

Lawmakers passed a bill that would make Utah the first state in the U.S. to allow lawsuits against pornographers for "harm" to minors, a bill for up to $1 billion in bonding for transportation projects was approved and local leaders broke out in a frenzy when a final-hour bill was made public that they worried would threaten Salt Lake City's control over the new prison development.

Legislature: Motorcyclists must wear helmets until age 21

Utah lawmakers passed a bill Wednesday to require motorcyclists under age 21 to wear helmets.

The House voted 43-30 to approve SB159, which previously passed in the Senate by a 17-12 vote. The bill now goes to Gov. Gary Herbert for consideration.

Under current Utah law, motorcyclists under 18 years old are required to wear helmets.

Bill ending mandatory vehicle safety inspections passes Senate

A bill eliminating mandatory vehicle safety inspections passed the Senate on Wednesday, but not before provisions were added to increase registration fees by $1 and make not wearing a seat belt a permanent primary offense.

The changes made in the Senate to HB265, sponsored by Rep. Dan McCay, R-Riverton, must be approved by the House.

The Senate sponsor of the bill, Sen. Deidre Henderson, R-Spanish Fork, said only 16 states currently require safety inspections. She said none of the states that have done away with the requirement saw increased accidents due to unsafe vehicles.

Contributing: Marjorie Cortez, Lisa Riley Roche, Katie McKellar

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