Get Full Government Meeting Transcripts, Videos, & Alerts Forever!
Get email alerts on the Budget Appropriations topic
No spam. Unsubscribe anytime.
House passes supplemental appropriations with intent to place two troopers on State Route 6
Summary
The Utah House approved House Bill 3, a supplemental appropriations package that includes multiple program adjustments and newly adopted intent language directing two state troopers to be assigned to State Route 6 between Spanish Fork and Price until the road is reconstructed. The amendment passed after debate about enforcement authority and local control.
The Utah House on March 1 passed House Bill 3, the Supplemental Appropriations Act 2, after amending the bill to include intent language directing two new state troopers be assigned to State Route 6 between Spanish Fork and Price, Utah, “until the road is reconstructed.” The measure bundles multiple budget adjustments and redirected non‑lapsing funds.
Representative Jay Alexander, sponsor of HB 3, described the bill as the session’s main supplemental appropriations vehicle, consolidating prioritized items and unallocated committee dollars. During floor questions he and staff explained that some transfers on the bill (items 135–136) reflect a risk‑management refund used to pay debt service for the Centennial Highway Fund.
Representative Chuck (Chard) proposed the intent language, saying additional enforcement coverage on State Route 6 was needed to reduce accidents while funds for reconstruction are sought. Supporters — including Representative King and others who had toured the highway — said extra patrol presence would slow traffic and save lives; one member said roughly 100 people had died on the highway in recent years. Opponents cautioned about the legislature directing operational deployments of state public‑safety agencies.
Representative Gary Cox offered a substitute that clarified the intent language would remain in force “until the road is reconstructed.” The House adopted the substitute and the amendment was inserted into HB 3.
Other amendments approved on the floor added targeted appropriations and technical corrections, including a $200,000 appropriation for an AGR/GIS mapping program (for county applications) and corrections referencing remaining Y2K mitigation balances. Sponsors said some dollars would be used for salary equity in higher education and for specified senior transportation priorities.
The amended HB 3 was put to final passage and, after the late‑night concurrence process, recorded as passed by the House and referred to the Senate for the president’s signature. The transcript records the House passage vote in the later sequence as 38 yes, 35 no.
What happens next: the bill, as amended, goes to the Senate for further action and signature. The intent language is non‑binding policy direction rather than an appropriation of operating authority; advocates said it signals legislative priority for additional enforcement coverage on the Spanish Fork–Price corridor until reconstruction is complete.
