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House weighs sale‑and‑appraisal rules for Developmental Center land; amendment debates appraisal standard
Summary
Representatives debated House Bill 132, which would require additional appraisals and legislative notification before sale of undeveloped Developmental Center land in American Fork; members argued over whether the bill should require a specific appraisal organization designation (MAI) and heard concerns from disability advocates about preserving proceeds for residents.
House Bill 132, introduced Feb. 25, would change the process for sale of state land at the Developmental Center in American Fork, requiring two appraisals and legislative notification to help ensure proceeds benefit a trust for people with disabilities. Representative Margaret Dayton, the sponsor, explained the parcel’s proximity to new development and urged careful stewardship of what she described as very valuable property.
Representative Hogue moved to amend language that had specified a single appraisal organization (MAI), arguing the amendment would broaden eligible certified appraisers and avoid privileging one association. Supporters of the amendment noted other designations (for example, SRA) also certify qualified appraisers and argued the statutory language should focus on certification standards rather than an organization name. Opponents said MAI represented the top professional commercial‑valuation designation and favored keeping it to ensure a highest‑quality appraisal.
A representative of the Mental Retardation Association of Utah (nonprofit) urged caution about selling property and emphasized that proceeds should benefit residents of the developmental center. Sponsors said the bill was not intended to mandate sale, but to ensure that if sales occurred the valuation and disbursement would protect resident interests.
The floor debated the amendment and the bill; votes and the final disposition of the amendment were recorded on the floor record, though the transcript excerpt is not explicit about every vote tally in this segment. The bill remained under consideration on the third‑reading calendar with the House considering technical amendments and amendments to appraisal language.
