Legislators released their list of favorite programs with relatively small price tags Friday as part of an agreement giving the House and Senate $2 million each to spend as they wish.
Lawmakers filled out ballots laden with pet projects and then legislative leaders winnowed their requests to fit under the spending cap.
The House spent more than $320,000 each on a global positioning network and mosquito abatement program, but also found funding to punish people who steal water, to expand the divorce mediation program and to bolster the Utah Summer Games.
One-forth, or $500,000, of the Senate's special funds went to cover the loss of federal money to help counties pay for mental health treatment. Senators also favored Children's Justice Centers, where police interview young victims in a comfortable setting, and rural medical residency training.
Both bodies allocated money to the Treehouse Museum in Ogden, which is geared toward children. The museum received a total of $400,000.
"Most of the Senate things are for children, which we think is really important," said Senate budget chairman Lyle Hillyard.
The federal government recently slashed $500,000 used to buy HIV/AIDS drugs for those who can't afford them. The cut came late in the state's budget process, but the Senate decided to hand over $100,000 to start making up the lost funds.
The appropriation surprised community activist Pamela Atkinson.
"I'm delighted. It is a wonderful gift," she said. "I didn't anticipate that they would be able to come up with anything at this late date."
Atkinson said she would attempt to leverage the funds in the private sector to find the remaining $400,000.
The HIV money was one of the main priorities of Democrats, who despite being in the minority had some of their programs funded.
Hillyard said legislative leaders made an attempt to include the priorities of the minority Democrats when drafting the lists.
The Senate allocated $13,000 to help the Utah Highway Patrol enforce a primary seat belt law, though the proposal has yet to garner House approval.
Lawmakers also agreed to spend $300,000 to restore funding to allow for in-home health care for the elderly.
