House passes income-tax checkoff to fund children—s organ transplant trust

The Utah House on the floor approved Substitute House Bill 13, a measure creating a new income-tax checkoff to seed a Children—s Organ Donor Trust Account that would pay upfront costs for pediatric organ transplants.

Sponsor Representative Kurt E. Oskerson said the bill establishes a six-member committee to oversee the trust and restricts funds to transplant-related expenses. "All we are doing with House Bill 13, we are creating another income tax checkoff for the purpose of the children—s organ donor trust account," he said, adding the checklist would include residency requirements so Utah residents are prioritized.

Supporters described cases of families unable to pay immediate transplant costs. Representative Robert A. Slack told the House: "There—s nothing sadder in the world than seeing a small child who is dying because of a need of a transplant." Slack urged members to approve the measure to give families a practical option when insurance or savings fall short.

Opponents raised a procedural concern about the proliferation of tax checkoffs. Representative Howard said he worried that adding more checkoffs dilutes donations and said he would back HB 13 only if an existing checkoff were removed. The sponsor said the Tax Commission would place the new checkoff on the existing tax form and not require an extra paper page.

The bill includes a no-interest loan option to be administered by the committee when appropriate and a six-month residency test intended to keep benefits to Utah residents. The sponsor estimated the checkoff could generate approximately $300,000 annually if widely supported.

Voting was recorded as 58 affirmative, 13 negative. House Bill 13 passed the House and will be forwarded to the Senate for further consideration.