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Utah House approves Quality Growth Act, creates commission and Critical Lands Fund with $6 million cap
Summary
The Utah House passed First Substitute HB 119 on Feb. 23, 1999, creating a 13-member Quality Growth Commission and a Critical Lands Conservation Fund funded by multiple sources; the bill bans eminent domain for Fund purchases and the House inserted a $6 million cap after heated debate over nonprofit eligibility and fiscal safeguards.
The Utah House of Representatives approved First Substitute House Bill 119, the Quality Growth Act of 1999, on Feb. 23 after extended floor debate and amendments. The measure passed 47-23 and was referred to the Senate.
The bill creates a 13-member Quality Growth Commission (two state officials, six local officials and five private-sector members) to advise the Legislature on growth-management policies and to administer a Critical Lands Conservation Fund to support conservation easements, watershed protection and, potentially, urban redevelopment. "If I were to summarize this issue in 1 sentence, I would say this, that this bill is about enhancing and preserving the quality of life," sponsor Representative Garn said while introducing the measure.
Supporters described the bill as voluntary and incentive-based, not regulatory. Representative Becker, who explained the open-space and funding provisions, said: "First of all, the program is limited to voluntary participation." Becker told the House the fund would be seeded from three sources: general fund…
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