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House concurs with Senate on Salt Lake County transit tax distribution; intent language debated
Summary
Lawmakers concurred with Senate amendments to HB 287 to create a special fund allowing a portion of Salt Lake County’s quarter-of-a-quarter sales tax to be used by the State Transportation Commission; members debated intent language to ensure the funds supplement rather than supplant existing projects.
On the final day of the 2001 session, the Utah House agreed to Senate amendments to House Bill 287, a change that creates a special revenue fund into which one-quarter of one-quarter-cent of Salt Lake County’s sales tax revenue may be deposited for use by the State Transportation Commission on projects in Salt Lake County.
Representative Harper moved concurrence with the Senate language. The amendment creates an enabling mechanism so that county-raised revenues may be collected into a special fund and distributed by the commission for statewide projects located within Salt Lake County, effectively enabling county-raised monies to be directed to county projects administered at the state level.
Representative Curtis later proposed agenda intent language stating the proceeds “are intended to supplement and not supplant” funds already programmed for Salt Lake County projects on the statewide transportation improvement program (STIP). The floor debated whether funds raised by a county tax increase should be earmarked for local projects or allowed into the statewide pool; supporters of the intent language said it protects the voters’ expectation that their tax would benefit Salt Lake County projects, while opponents cautioned about unintended effects on statewide prioritization.
After debate, members approved the concurrence with the Senate and the bill passed the House 67–2. The House also recorded the intent language on the journal.
