Senate approves bill letting universities designate development areas and keep revenue for campus priorities

The Utah Senate on Thursday approved First Substitute Senate Bill 129, a measure that permits public higher‑education institutions to designate university-owned surplus land as "higher education development areas" and direct revenues from approved development projects into university-controlled funds.

Senator Evan Vickers and Senator J. Stuart Wilson presented the bill on the floor; Senator Wilson, the sponsor, said the change is intended to give institutions a tool used in other states to generate revenue for capital projects, maintenance and other institutional needs without tapping general‑fund appropriations.

Under the bill, a university must identify surplus land, secure approval from the Utah Higher Education Board and the institution’s board of trustees, and hold a publicly noticed hearing at least seven days before adopting a development resolution. The resolution must disclose the proposed boundary, the type of development, and projected revenue sources and amounts. After adoption, the institution must report annually to the higher education appropriations subcommittee on revenue use.

Wilson said institutions will also be subject to conflict‑of‑interest rules so members of a board of trustees have no financial stake in the development partners. He described the bill as adding "guardrails" to an existing ability institutions already had to pursue development on their property.

On final action the Senate recorded 21 yeas, 0 nays and 18 absences and advanced the bill for enrollment and return to the House for further steps.