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House Approves $13.5 million Revenue Bond for Utah Valley State College Student Center
Summary
Lawmakers approved a $13,500,000 revenue bond, paid from student fees, to expand Utah Valley State College's student center after sponsors said students volunteered the fees; the House passed the first substitute of HB210 67–4.
The Utah House on the floor approved First Substitute House Bill 210 to authorize a revenue bond for Utah Valley State College to fund construction and related maintenance and operations of a student center.
Representative Alexander, sponsor of the bill, said the bond — $13,500,000 — would be repaid from student fees and would fund both construction and ongoing maintenance: "It's for $13,500,000 That is coming off from student fees, both to do the construction and also the maintenance and operations." The bill was described as the product of the college and its student body electing to commit student fee revenues to the project.
Debate focused on the choice of revenue bond versus a general obligation bond, with Representative Franson arguing general obligation bonds can cost taxpayers less in some cases. Supporters noted the bill had gone through the Capital Facilities Committee and was approved there. Representative Dayton emphasized that the funding is drawn from student fees and does not obligate taxpayers.
The House substituted the first substitute for the original bill and approved it on the floor; the recorded vote was 67 yes and 4 no. The bill will be enrolled and forwarded per legislative process.
The sponsor and backers said the project responds to pressing campus growth and student demand, while critics urged scrutiny of bond types and committee referral processes.
