Utah House approves bill to create Spaceport Authority to recruit private launch project

The Utah House of Representatives voted to create a new Utah Spaceport Authority, passing House Bill 307 on a voice vote after floor debate.

Representative Thomas Hatch, sponsor of the measure, told colleagues the authority would sit under the Department of Transportation and include economic development and community representatives to coordinate recruitment of private launch projects. "Utah is competing to attract Lockheed Martin and their X-33 project," Hatch said, adding that site elevation near 7,000 feet would reduce launch costs compared with lower-elevation locations.

Members questioned the timeline and scope. Representative Allen asked how long negotiations might continue; Hatch said he did not know when a final site selection would be made but that construction could begin in the long term and said the bill carries a fiscal note of approximately $120,000. Representative Arendt noted lines in the bill that authorize the authority to enter contracts and cooperate with federal or private entities; Hatch said such relationships may be subject to future scrutiny to avoid undesirable strings attached.

Supporters described the legislation as an economic development effort. "This would create a spaceport authority, and help coordinate those efforts in trying to attract this project into Utah," Hatch said. Opponents raised only procedural concerns; debate ended with supporters asking members to back the proposal.

The House recorded 69 yes votes and 0 no votes for HB307; the bill was placed on the Senate calendar for further consideration.

Next steps: HB307 will go to the Senate for consideration and any fiscal or policy adjustments there. The bill’s language authorizes the authority to enter contracts and to work with federal agencies; sponsors said federal cooperation and long-term commitments will be part of future negotiations.