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House restores Centennial Highway Fund appropriations to spending-cap calculations
Summary
The House passed first substitute HB194 to reverse a 1997 exemption that removed Centennial Highway Fund appropriations from the state spending limitation cap, returning those appropriations to cap calculations to restore fiscal oversight; the measure passed and will go to the Senate.
The Utah House voted to pass first substitute House Bill 194, a measure to return Centennial Highway Fund appropriations to the state's spending limitation cap. The bill, which passed on the floor, was described by sponsor Representative Stevens as a reversal of a 1997 exemption enacted during a high-borrowing period.
Representative Stevens told colleagues the exemption made sense during a period of heavy bonding but said the House should now restore appropriations to the spending cap to prompt future, deliberate choices about spending beyond the cap. "That's what this bill does ... it puts those appropriations back in for the future," Stevens said.
During floor discussion members asked whether restoring appropriations would affect any planned bond extensions; sponsor Stevens confirmed the bill would not affect potential bond-extension decisions. Representative Olson and others spoke in favor, saying restoring the appropriations to the cap was the appropriate fiscal move.
The House recorded 68 yes votes with 1 member absent. The bill will be transmitted to the Senate for further action.
Next steps: The bill will be assigned to a Senate committee for review and potential amendment.
