Government Affairs

HB488 includes a number of significant changes to key transportation funding programs, including: providing 1% of state sales tax into the TTIF Commuter Rail Restricted Account, funds specific projects from the County of the First Class Highway Projects Fund, makes changes to the “5th 5th” local option sales tax and 2nd quarter local option sales tax.

Downloads and Helpful Links:

• HB488 WFRC Bill Summary
• Local Option Sales Tax “5th Quarter”: Flow Chart

HB430 allows for cities to propose piloted transit innovation grants for bus routes, shuttle service, and other innovative transit approaches, that would be focused on high-growth areas that have less transit service than other areas. Funding for these grants could be provided through the Transit Transportation Investment Fund, the “Fifth Fifth” local option sales tax, and the “Fourth Quarter” local option transportation sales tax and would be administered by UDOT.

Downloads and Helpful Links:

• HB430 WFRC Bill Summary

SB208 makes changes to the existing HTRZ statute, notably increasing requirements for affordable housing in an HTRZ (from 10% to 12%), clarifying eligible stations for an HTRZ, enhancing the “but for” financial analysis, and addressing tax administration issues from the tax commission and local assessors.

Downloads and Helpful Links:

• SB208 WFRC Bill Summary
• HTRZ & FHIZ Comparison
• HTRZ White Paper

SB268 creates a new tool to encourage medium-density centered development and homeownership for first time home buyers within Utah’s municipalities. The bill allows for tax increment capture to accommodate project and system infrastructure costs of the center, and requires certain densities, affordability, deed restrictions, and other requirements.

Downloads and Helpful Links:

• SB268 WFRC Bill Summary
• HTRZ & FHIZ Comparison

Recently enacted state policies designed to mitigate the challenging impacts of Utah’s rapid population growth on housing, transportation, water, and quality of life are in the process of being implemented at the local level. These new or revised programs and policies are significant multi-year undertakings that involve partnership between state agencies, local governments, and the private sector. The Unified Economic Opportunity Commission has recommended that, “These policies be given adequate time for implementation and evaluation in order to determine their effectiveness, prior to further significant modification.”

Downloads and Helpful Links:

• Utah’s Recent Growth Legislation Chart

SB260 modifies the .20% local option transportation sales tax, also known as the “5th 5th”, which formerly was eligible to be used exclusively for transit capital and service. SB260 eliminated the June 30, 2023 imposition deadline, and allows counties to impose the .20% and divide the funds between transit, cities, and counties.

Downloads and Helpful Links:

• SB260 WFRC Bill Summary
• 5th 5th Distribution Flow Chart

SB 185 most notably creates the ongoing funding source for the Utah Trails Network through the Active Transportation Investment Fund (ATIF). It also extends the date on the 5th 5th, expands uses of the State Infrastructure Bank, and allows for local distribution of Road Usage Charge Funds.

Downloads and Helpful Links:

• SB185 WFRC Bill Summary

SB 84 makes a number of changes to the Housing and Transit Reinvestment Zone statute, which allows for incremental tax revenue growth to be captured around light rail, commuter rail, and bus rapid transit (BRT) stations to support development costs. This bill further clarifies requirements of the proposal and analysis.

Downloads & Helpful Links:

• SB84 WFRC Bill Summary
• HRTZ White Paper

HB462 is intended to help Utah address its significant challenges on housing availability and affordability through changes to moderate income house plan requirements (SB34), station area planning, changes to internal accessory dwelling units, and other various changes.

Downloads & Helpful Links:

• HB462 Utah Housing Affordability Amendments Bill Summary
• Required Station Area Plans Map (with List of Cities)
• Required Station Area Plans Map (Interactive)
• Station Area Plan Certification and Technical Assistance
• Station Area Plan Progress Update

HB433 Authorizes $1.1 billion in investments in state roads, public transit and active transportation through a combination of the authorization of new bonding and the appropriation of available one-time revenues.

Downloads and Helpful Links:

• HB433 Amendments Related to Infrastructure Funding Bill Summary

SB 217 is intended to get “all hands on deck” to help Utah tackle its housing crisis by facilitating development in the key areas of FrontRunner stations, capitalizing on the anticipated State investment to improve FrontRunner.

Downloads and Helpful Links:

• SB 217 Housing and Transit Reinvestment Zone Act Bill Summary
• White Paper | Housing and Transit Reinvestment Zone Act
• HTRZ Map

SB150 enhances the coordination of transportation, housing, and land use at TOD sites; and modifies provisions related to UTA; transportation funding including TIF/TTIF and TRZs; UDOT’s RUC program; local option transportation sales taxes; class B&C road funds; transportation network companies; and tollways.

Downloads and Helpful Links:

• SB 150 Transportation Governance and Funding Bill Summary

SB34 encourages local communities to plan for housing for residents of all income levels, and coordinate that housing with transportation. Communities are required to develop a moderate income housing (MIH) plan as part of their general plan. Communities that are required to annually report on their MIH plan implementation must satisfy these requirements to remain eligible for state transportation investments.

Downloads and Helpful Links:

• SB 34 Affordable Housing Modifications Bill Summary
• DWS: Annual Moderate-Income Housing Reporting Form

SB72 is a follow up to SB136 (2018) and addresses some policy and some technical issues, including making the allowable uses of local option sales taxes for transportation more flexible and consistent across the “quarters”; adjusting UTA and UDOT governance and nomination process; authorizing state transportation capital funds to be used for active transportation projects; establishing guidelines for the road usage charge program; and further describing Transportation Reinvestment Zones (TRZs).

Downloads and Helpful Links:

• SB 72 Transportation Governance and Funding Revisions Bill Summary

Senate Bill (SB) 136, co-sponsored by Senator Wayne Harper and Representative Mike Schultz, is a significant, positive step forward for the future of the Wasatch Front region and state. Utah is growing and changing, and with that comes the need to efficiently use resources to provide transportation choices for our communities. SB 136 provides efficient use of limited resources, as well as a systematic approach to transportation planning that considers both land use and economic development throughout the state.

Downloads and Helpful Links:

• SB 136 Transportation Governance Amendments: Bill Summary
• SB 136 Transportation Governance Amendments
• Transportation Reinvestment Zones White Paper

On March 12, 2015, the Utah State Legislature passed House Bill (HB) 362 Transportation Infrastructure Funding, and on March 27, Governor Gary Herbert signed the bill into law. This law reformed the state fuel tax to keep pace with inflation and provided local communities with the tools to help address their transportation needs. HB 362 was the first law in 18-years to modify the state fuel tax and the first in state history to comprehensively fund road, transit, bike, and pedestrian infrastructure. HB 362 contained two main provisions: 1) reform and increase of the state fuel tax and 2) local option sales tax for transportation.

Downloads and Helpful Links:

• HB 362 Transportation Infrastructure Funding
• HB 362 Transportation Infrastructure Funding – High Level Bill Summary
• HB 362 Transportation Infrastructure Funding – Detailed Bill Summary
• Governing Class B & Class C Road Funds Regulations
• Current Statutory Language on Local Option Sales Tax, Under 59-12-2219