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WFRC Bill Tracker

2024 General Session, Utah Legislature

2024 WFRC Bill Tracker

Wasatch Front Regional Council logo.

Notes on Priority and Position columns:

  • Priority 1 – top priority with potentially significant or direct impacts to WFRC and its members.
  • Priority 2 – mid-level priority with potentially significant or indirect impacts to WFRC and its members.
  • Priority 3 – important but not a top priority with significant or direct impacts to WFRC and its members.
  • WFRC will “support”, “neutral”, or “oppose” legislation. Bills for which a position has not yet been taken will be indicated as such with “TBD”. Positions are established by Council members who choose to participate in informal discussions held during the legislative session when WFRC does not have a regularly scheduled meeting. The unofficial positions do not necessarily reflect the views of any individual Council member or organization represented on the Council.
  • Positions on legislation that are staff recommendations that have not yet been considered by WFRC members are noted below with an asterisk (*).
Bill NbrBill Title
Bill Description
Primary SponsorWFRC PositionWFRC PriorityStatus/Notes
Air QualityHB126Emissions Regulation Amendments
This bill would prohibits the Department of Motor Vehicles from registering certain vehicles above 14,000 pound that emits .21 grams or more of nitrogen oxides per brake horsepower hour within Salt Lake, Davis, Tooele, Weber, Box Elder, or Utah Counties. It also prohibits a county from providing an emissions inspection exemption for these same vehicles.
StoddardNeutral3Did Not Pass
Air QualityHB279Air Quality Amendments
This bill makes a number of changes to air quality regulations within the state, including: (1) Requires that applicable air quality emissions, including fine particulate matter, carbon monoxide, sulfur dioxide, and nitrogen oxide be reduced by 50% in the Wasatch Front area by 2033 compared to a 2017 baseline, (2) Requires state agencies (including DEQ, GOEO, DNR, UDOT, and the PSC) to develop an emissions reduction plan for how their agency can contribute to achieving a reduction and shall report back to the legislature by Jan 2025 (3) Addresses possible revocation of a vehicle registration for avoiding emissions testing.
ClancyMonitor2Did Not Pass
Air QualityHB373Environmental Quality Amendments
This bill requires the Department of Envrionmental Quality to meet with the Utah Federalism Commission to discuss certain regulations from the EPA and other topics, and also repeals the Air Quality Policy Advisory Board amongst other issues.
SniderNeutral3Passed
Air QualitySB153Idling Amendments
This bill allows local highway authorities of the first or second class to: (1) implement an ordinance that prohibits a commercial vehicle from idling longer than 3 minutes, (2) Allow an individual to report an idling violation for commercial vehicles and recieve up to 25% of the imposed fine as an incentive, (3) Allow for greater idling penalties when air quality is worse, (4) Implement a road usage charge fee when air quality is worse or forecasted to worsen, with the revenues intended to support law enforcement. The idling requirements would not apply to local governments, political subdivisions, the state, or a public transit district.
BlouinNeutral3Did Not Pass
AppropriationsHB002New Fiscal Year Supplemental Appropriations Act
This bill supplements or reduces appropriations otherwise provided for the support and operation of state government for the fiscal year beginning July 1, 2024 and ending June 30, 2025. The funding amounts appropriated in this bill are recommended by the Executive Appropriations Committee (EAC).
V. PetersonSupport2Passed
AppropriationsHB003Appropriations Adjustments
The "bill of bills" appropriates funding for bills with fiscal notes, funds a number of other appropriations, and includes legislative intent language for various appropriations.
V. PetersonSupport1
AppropriationsSB003Current Fiscal Year Supplemental Appropriations
This bill supplements or reduces appropriations otherwise provided for the support and operation of state government for the fiscal year beginning July 1, 2023 and ending June 30, 2024. The funding amounts appropriated in this bill are reccomended by the Executive Appropriations Committee (EAC).
StevensonSupport1Passed
AppropriationsSB006Infrastructure and General Government Base Budget
The Infrastructure and General Government (IGG) appropriations subcommittee base budget includes ongoing appropriations for a number of state agencies, including the Utah Department of Transportation (UDOT). The bill also includes $775M 1X and $335M ongoing in General Funds to the Transportation Investment Fund.
WilsonSupport1Passed
AppropriationsHB006Executive Offices and Criminal Justice Base Budget
The Executive Offices and Criminal Justice appropriations subcommittee base budget includes ongoing appropriations for executive offices, including the Governor's Office of Planning and Budget, whose budget includes pass through dollars to the Wasatch Front Regional Council, including a $140,000 federal planning match, and $150,000 for planning technical assistance, and $150,000 for Local Administrative Advisor.
BurtonSupport1Passed
Economic DevelopmentHB013Infrastructure Financing Districts
This bill would allow for the creation of certain special infrastructure financing districts (formerly referred to as Limited Infrastructure Districts, or LIDS). The bill would provide the infrastructure district with limited bonding authority, and would be required to repay the infrastructure financing before any residential homeowners may take residence, as opposed to repaying through property taxes over the life of the bond. This bill does not allow an infrastructure financing district to pledge any property tax revenue to repay the bonds, and the debt is borne solely by the district.
DunniganNeutral3Passed
Economic DevelopmentSB084Governor's Office of Economic Opportunity Amendments
This bill makes a number of changes to the Governor's Office of Economic Opportunity, including: (1) Changing the acronym of the office from "GO Utah" to "GOEO", (2) Clarifies the duties of the Unified Economic Opportunity Commission by pursuing statewide economic development priorites at least every three years, (3) Clarifies membership, duties, and powers of the Economic Opportunity Board, (4) Defines terms as it relates to providing broadband service to certain communities, and creates a Broadband Equity Access and Deployment Grant Program, and (5) Makes other technical changes.
CullimoreSupport2Passed
Economic DevelopmentHB562Utah Fairpark Area Investment and Restoration District
This bill creates the Utah Fairpark Area Investment and Restoration District, which would encompass the Utah Fairpark and Power District area of Salt Lake City. The special district would have the ability to levy certain taxes, including an energy tax, telecom tax, transient room tax, resort communities tax, and an accommodations services tax. It would also allow certain taxes to be paid to the district, including enhanced property tax. It allows the district to adopt certain project plans for the area, including for the development of a stadium. This bill also provides land ownership to the district in the area, and provides a revolving loan fund for the fairpark area.
WilcoxNeutral3Passed
HousingHB386Commission on Housing Affordability Amendments
This bill adds additional members to the Commission on Housing Affordability, including an individual who represents the housing advocacy community, as well as an individual who is a renter and recommended by a public housing authority or a tenants rights association.
BriscoeMonitor3Did Not Pass
HousingSB168Housing Affordability Amendments
This bill adopts a statewide building code for modular homes, adding a member from the modular home industry to the Olene Walker Loan Fund Board, and makes changes to the first-time homebuyer loan program. This bill's third substitute also made substantial changes, creating the "Home Ownership Promotion Zone" which allows a city to upzone an acrea of 10 acres or less and collects 60% of the TIF to pay for infrastructure for 15 years in that area.
FillmoreNeutral2Passed
HousingHJR19Joint Resolution Encouraging Support for the HOUSES Act
This bill encourages support of Utah Senator Mike Lee's bill introduced into congress, Helping Open Underutilized Space to Ensure Shelter Act of 2023 (HOUSES Act). This bill would allow Utah to acquire pieces of federally controlled land to use for the development of attainable housing.
IvoryNeutral3Passed
HousingHB572State Treasurer Investment Amendments
This bill creates the Utah Homes Investment Program. The program allows the treasurer to enter into an investment agreement with a financial institution that provides loan financing to a developer for qualified projects with at least 60% of units being attainable housing and deed restricted. Notably, the bill would allow for up to $300M of funds in the newly created "Transportation Infrastructure General Fund Support Subfund" to be invested through the Utah Homes Investment Program.
SpendloveNeutral2Passed
HousingSB268First Home Investment Zone Act
This bill would use tax increment financing for development of medium-density city or town centers and owner-occupied homes. It would allow a city to propose a First Home Investment Zone (FHIZ) in areas where an HTRZ is not eligible (around high capacity transit), but follows a similar HTRZ process, objectives, and ultimate approval by the HTRZ committee. The bill would require a FHIZ proposal to include a 30 unit/acre density (minimum) across the FHIZ, but would allow for a density reduction of up to 50% (15 units/acre) in the primary FHIZ zone if certain units outside of the primary FHIZ zone (extraterritorial units) are owner occupied (100% of units), affordable (20% at 80% county median sales price). Up to 60% of tax increment from all taxing entities in the area for project and system infrastructure costs. The third substitute makes some changes to address school districts concerns with the bill, including providing advanced notice of the application to the school district. WFRC has a comprehensive summary of this bill at this link: https://docs.google.com/document/d/1tiU-PFNkMNivWArQFX6ecf0a330ApVuC6pcXYtwdyIA/edit
HarperSupport1Passed
Land UseHB135County Land Use Amendments
This bill would remove the requirement that Summit County must submit a proposal to create a housing and transit reinvestment zone as a strategy for increasing moderate income housing.
BirkelandNeutral3Did Not Pass
Land UseHB243Riparian Amendments
This bill has changed substantially from its initial form and no longer required municipal or county general plans to include a riparian element if a community has riparian areas presen. The bill now requires the Division of Natural Resources to create a position within the department to coordinate with other parties for the management and improvement of riparian areas, including providing assistance to local governments for those efforts.
BennionSupport*3Did Not Pass
Land UseHB258Airport Land Use Amendments
This bill requires local governments to create compatible use plans for areas within 5,000 feet of a boundary of a significant private airport in effort to provide notice of potential impacts of the operations of the private airport, and encourage land use decisions that are compatible with the private airport. It also allows a private airport owner to purchase an air right or avigation easement. Significant private airport means an airport with significant aircraft and runway infrastructure.
BallardMonitor3Did Not Pass
Outdoor RecHB090Outdoor Recreation Grants Amendments
This bill clarifies that outdoor recreation includes unpaved trail, trailhead infrastructure, signage, or crossing infrastructure regardless of whether the recreation is for motorized or nonmotorized recreation. It also includes certain water recreation or facilities accessible to visitors with disabilities, avalanche protections, and upgrades to facilities to come into environmental compliance.
StenquistSupport3Passed
Outdoor RecHB232Outdoor Recreation Impacts Fund
This bill creates the Outdoor Recreation Impacts Fund, and funds the bill with 40% of state sales tax collected from outdoor retailers in the state. The fund can then be used in 4th, 5th, and 6th class counties to offset the impacts of recreation and tourism such as search and rescue activities, emergency medical services, etc.
StenquistSupport3Did Not Pass
Outdoor RecHB446Recreational Vehicle Grant Program
This bill would require a portion of state fees for recreational vehicles (boats, RV's, etc) to be deposited into the Recreational Vehicle Grant Program. The Grant program is intended to be used for grants to communities for construction, maintenance, support, etc. of facilities supportive of recreational vehicle users. The state's 7 AOGs, including WFRC, would be required to have a member on the grant programs advisory committee.
StenquistSupport3Did Not Pass
TransportationHB065Active Transportation and Canal Trail Amendments
This bill would require a canal owner to notify counties, cities, UDOT, and MPOs of their intent to abandon or transfer title of a canal, in the case that those entities would like to purchase or take ownership of the canal for a canal trail. This bill also gives municipalities and UDOT the right of first refusal to purchase the canal. The bill also requires that certain canals are inventoried by the state, that UDOT provides municipalities a canal trail toolkit, and enables the Transportation Commission to consider canal trails for corridor preservation and part as the Utah Trail Network active transportation plan.
LesserSupport2Did Not Pass
TransportationHB074Utility Relocation Cost Sharing Amendments
This bill is an agreement reached between the Utah Department of Transportation and Utility companies for cost sharing as it relates to utility relocations when a UDOT roadway or fixed guideway transit project necessitates utility relocation. The bill outlines when UDOT is responsible for 100% cost share, and when the utilities are responsible for a 50% relocation cost share.
HarperSupport3Passed
TransportationHB085S1Electric Bike Amendments
This bill clarifies definitions of electric bicycles, and what is included in different classes of electric and electric assisted bicycles. It also requires Ebike Manufactuerers to label on an electric assisted bicycle the class of the bicycle.
StenquistSupport3Passed
TransportationHB109Safe School Route Evaluations
This bill provides for greater coordination among UDOT, School Districts, and local entities to implement safe routes to school improvements. To do so, it requires a school traffic safety committee to submit a child access routing plan to UDOT and to city and county highway authorities, and include recommendations for infrastructure improvements to the school route. It also requires UDOT to provide feedback on the time and cost of the proposed improvements. The safety committee is also required to report to the State Board of Education.
BallardNeutral3Did Not Pass
TransportationHB142Railroad Drone Amendments
This bill allows an employee or contracted employee by the Utah Transit Authority to examine railway by unmanned aircraft in order to identify safety concerns, impediments, or obstructions.
WilcoxSupport3Passed
TransportationHB154Bicycle Amendments
This bill removes the requirement that a bicycle or moped operator to keep a hand on the handlebars at all times, and simply requires that they maintain control of the moped or bicycle at all times.
BirkelandNeutral3Did Not Pass
TransportationHB235Eminent Domain Amendments
This bill provides that the Bonneville Shoreline Trail is a public use for which eminent domain may be used.
StenquistNeutral2Did Not Pass
TransportationHB367Local Government Fees Amendments
This bill would set reasonable parameters around municipalities' ability to impose a Transportation Utility Fee (TUF). TUFs were ruled by the Utah Supreme Court as an allowable fee for cities to impose, if it is a reasonable fee. The TUF parameters would require a city to complete a study demonstrating the need, levels of service, and specificity of the fee. It also would require certain public notifications, and vote requirements to impose. Additionally, it would require certain annual review processes to ensure validity of the fee. The bill would prohibit a city from imposing a broadband or public safety utility fee.
K. PetersonSupport1Did Not Pass
TransportationHB430Local Government Transportation Services Amendments
This bill would allow for "high growth cities" to propose public transit innovation grants to provide bus routes, shuttle service, or services like free or reduced fare in the UTA service area. The program would be administered by UDOT, and funding for the grants provided by the TTIF, 5th 5th transit portion, and would require that 10% of the .10% of the fourth quarter local option sales tax be spent on the transit innovation grants. Additionally, it would require UTA to provide a report on the revenue from local option sales taxes detailing the amount collected within each county, city, or town and allocated to UTA and the amount allocated/spent for transit services utilized by residents of cities and towns.
PierucciNeutral1Passed
TransportationHB434Station Area Planning Amendments
This bill would change the statutory requirement for MPOs to review station area plans, by clarifying that they must only provide an objective review. Further, the bill would require an MPO to defer to the municipality on the substance of the SAP proposal and whether the entity believes they have fulfilled the statutory requiremetns.
AbbottMonitor1Did Not Pass
TransportationHB449Pedestrian Safety and Facilities Act
This bill amends the pedestrian safety act to also include bicyclist safety. Notably the bill, (1) Adds bicycle lanes, multiuse paths, etc to the definition of bicyslist and pedestrian safety device, (2) Includes bicycle safety facilities in eligible uses of minicipality or county B&C road funds, and (4) Requires UDOT to consider pedestrian and now bicylcist safety measures in highway planning where ped or bicyclist traffic is a significant factor.
AbbottSupport1Passed
TransportationHB473School Transit Amendments
This bill creates the Transit Access Pass for Students Pilot Program which would be a 3 year program in which Local Education Agencies could apply for free public transit passes for their students, parents, and educators. This bill would be limited to the UTA transit district area, and would require the local LEA to provide a match for the granted funds. Grants are to be awarded to LEAs with the greatest need, and the program is to be administered by the state board of education. This bill would appropriate $7.5M from this program from the Public Education Economic Stabilization Account.
BriscoeSupport2Did Not Pass
TransportationHB488Transportation Funding Modifications
This bill, in its initial form, provided funding for a pedestrian bridge in Sandy City. However, the first substitute of this bill makes significant changes to various transportation programs, including; (1) Provides ongoing annual funding to a TTIF Commuter Rail Account, equal to 1% of state sales tax (roughly $45M) for FrontRunner Improvements, (2) Expands uses of the county portion of the 5th 5th Local Option Sales Tax in Salt Lake County for public safety in addition to transportation, (3) Allows 3-6th Class Counties to impose a 2nd Quarter .30% local option sales tax for transportation or public safety purposes, (4) Funds specific projects out of the County of the First Class Highway Projects Fund in Salt Lake County, (5) Creates a County of the First Class Infrastructure Bank. WFRC prepared a comprehensive summary of these bill which you can find here for your review: https://docs.google.com/document/d/1WBEDNFrK5_87GJctk5AOOgX_-_Kk63Y1Ok8SvvF4Bgs/edit
SpendloveNeutral1Passed
TransportationSB087Motor Vehicle Rental Tax Amendments
This bill increases the motor vehicle rental tax from 2.5% to 5%. The tax is deposited into the Marta Dilree Corridor Preservation Account, and brought in roughly $9M in funding in 2022. This bill would double the revenues moving forward.
WilsonNeutral2Did Not Pass
TransportationSB135Advanced Air Mobility Amendments
This bill makes a number of changes related to advanced air mobility, including (1) Requiring a roadable aircraft (a hybrid vehicle/aircraft), (2) Clarifies the definition of an airport or regional significance, (3) Allows UDOT to use funds in the Aeronautics Restricted Account for state infrastructure and administration, (4) Redefines airports to include vertiports if it is for public use, (5) Allows for aircraft to fly over land and water unless it is too low that it interferes with safety or land use, and (6) Allows a highway authority to lease navigable airspace above a highway to a private entity if there is no needed public use and if it will not reasonably interfere with the highway, (7) Prohibits a government entity from purchasing an unmanned aircraft from a "covered foreign entity" in certain circumstances.
HarperSupport2Passed
TransportationSB155Road Usage Charge Program Amendments
This bill makes changes to the Road Usage Charge Program administered by the Utah Department of Transportation and to vehicle registration fees. The bill (1) Removes the cap of $240 for an annual registration period for individuals in a road usage charge, meaning that an individual may pay more than their registration fee while in the program, moving towards goals for broader adoption of RUC, and (2) Updates current registration fees to adjust for CPI.
HarperSupport1Did Not Pass
TransportationSB179Transportation Amendments
This bill makes a number of changes related to the Utah Department of Transportation's operations, including cleaning up code provisions in the statute, amending the description of certain highways near state parks, amends the definition of snowmobile and abandoned aircraft, and prohibits the storage of flammable materials near or beneath highway and public transit facilities. Notable changes includes excluding UDOT from providing a 30% match to use Transit Transportation Investment Funds for a public transit capital development project or or a pedestrian or nonmotorized transportation project that is overseen by UDOT. The bill also allows UDOT to use up to $500,000 in TTIF funds for studies. Also allows a transit district to nominate projects for TTIF, in addition to local governments.
HarperSupport1Passed
TransportationSB208Housing and Transit Reinvestment Zone Amendments
This bill makes a number of changes to the HTRZ statute, including: (1) increasing the affordability requirements from 10% to 12% with at least 3% at 60% AMI, (2) Requires that the affordability requirement is maintained throughout the life of the HTRZ, (3) Clarifies that a proposed station must be in phase 1 of MPO and UTA plans to be eligible, (4) Requires an HTRZ to be a minimum of 10 acres, (5) Enhances the "But for" analysis, (6) Adds two additional members to the HTRZ committee designated by the Speaker and President, (7) Makes clarifications for how the tax increment must be administered for the purpose of the tax commission and assessors, (8) Includes homeownership as an objective of the HTRZ proposal, and (9) Allows for a CRA parcel overlap in an HTRZ, but will not begin to collect increment until the CRA parcel is expired, and (10) changes the percentage of tax increment to be used for administration of the project from 1% to 2%. You can find a comprehensive summary on the bill here: https://docs.google.com/document/d/1uBr5iDhW9U3utJ-F9i8Ms2gZu6c35uqL750kHnhKY3E/edit
HarperSupport1Passed
Misc.HCR 11Concurrent Resolution Recognizing the Importance of Cross-Issue Growth Impacts
This concurrent resolution encourages government entities, the private sector, and community partners to consider the impacts of cross-issue growth impacts, like housing, transportation, air quality, water, etc. when making decisions around funding, policies, and programs.
BolinderSupport1Passed
Misc.HB125Procurement Code Amendments
This bill would include interlocal governments in state procurement requirements and procedures. WFRC as well as the State's other AOGs are considered interlocal governemnts.
LoubetNeutral3Passed
Misc.HB335State Grant Process Amendments
This bill would impose additional requirements for state grant recipients. In its earlier form, it would have excluded political subdivisions from receiving state granted funding. However, the 4th substitute now allows for any entity, including political subdivisions and nonprofit entities to receive state granted funding, with certain deliverable and reporting requirements.
Val PetersonNeutral1Passed
Misc.SB057Utah Constitutional Sovereignty Act
This bill establishes a framework for the Legislature, by concurrent resolution, to prohibit the enforcement of a federal directive within the state by government officers if the Legislature determines the federal directive violates the principles of state sovereignty. The bill was amended to allow for a resolution if it would result in a loss of federal funds. The sponsor has stated an example of an issue the bill is designed to address is the federal Ozone Transport Rule.
SandallNeutral2Passed
Misc.SCR 2Concurrent Resolution Honoring the 100th Year Anniversary of the Utah Association of Counties
This concurrent resolution recognizes and celebrates the 100th anniversary of the Utah Association of Counties and expresses gratitude for UAC's dedicated service and significant contributions to county governance in Utah.
VickersSupport2Passed
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