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Midway council hears legislative updates: gas tax, political-sign bill, state housing report and short-term rental enforcement
Summary
Council received an interim legislative update covering a possible gas-tax change, a revived bill that would tighten political-sign disclosures and restrictions, a general state housing report, and clarification on the city's authority to investigate and enforce short-term rental ordinances.
During the meeting the Midway City Council received an overview of several legislative items and state-level reports of local interest, and staff clarified what the city can do regarding short-term rental enforcement.
Staff summarized interim-session topics including discussion of a proposed change to refinery tax breaks that could lower gas prices but reduce state tax revenues the city receives for road maintenance. Council members noted the effect on local Class B and C road funding could be significant.
The council also discussed a revived bill (House Bill 292 in prior session) that would shrink the size threshold for required political-sign disclosure (from current 4-by-8 feet to roughly 2-by-1.5 feet) and would make it a criminal offense to attach signs to utility poles, road signs and utility boxes. Staff raised concerns that the bill’s language is not well defined in places (for example "park strip") and said the provision allowing signs in park strips if adjacent property owners consent could be difficult to administer at the local level.
On housing, staff summarized a 105-page state housing report led by the Office of the Governor’s appointed lead (named in the packet as Steve Waldrop). The council was told the report is high-level and largely tactical rather than prescriptive; staff said state leaders have indicated openness to collaboration with municipalities and that comment windows remain open.
Regarding short-term rentals, staff clarified provisions of the city's existing ordinance. The council was told that while municipalities generally cannot regulate third-party listing websites directly, if the city permits short-term rentals in a zone the legislative body may request a short-term rental website remove a listing that is operating in violation of local business license requirements after notice. Staff also said a short-term rental listing on a website can be used as supporting evidence of a rental taking place if additional supporting information exists. Staff described recent attempts to get Airbnb and VRBO to remove listings for a property the city said was operating in violation of rules; staff said the platforms were difficult to navigate and slow to respond, and staff are pursuing supervisor-level contacts.
No council action was taken on the legislative items; staff said they will monitor developments and return updates as needed.
