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House approves state earned-income tax credit bill; measure heads to Senate
Summary
Representative Jackie Biskupski persuaded the House to approve HB 347, a state earned-income tax credit tied to the federal credit (tiered percentages in the draft). The bill passed the House (recorded in the transcript as 67 yes, 7 no) and was sent to the Senate.
The Utah House on Feb. 26 approved HB 347 to create a state-level earned-income tax credit designed to supplement the federal credit for low- and moderate-income working families.
Sponsor Representative Jackie Biskupski told colleagues the proposal would offset the regressive aspects of the state tax system and described a tiered state credit keyed to the federal benefit (the draft provided roughly 10% of the federal credit for the lowest earners, declining in higher bands). Biskupski said the refundable credit would help families pay bills, buy essentials and reduce poverty, and she pointed to research showing the federal EITC’s role in lifting millions out of poverty.
Members questioned the bill’s fiscal footprint. The sponsor and other supporters said the current-year fiscal note was modest (cited in the transcript as about $27,000) and that larger fiscal exposure would begin in later years as the credit phases in (opponents asked how a multi-million-dollar long-term cost would be funded). Representative Hatch and others spoke in favor, stressing help for the working poor.
The bill passed the House and was recorded in the floor transcript as receiving 67 yes votes and 7 no votes; it will be transmitted to the Senate for further consideration.
