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House debates and amends ZAP tax reallocation; key changes and disputes over local control
Summary
House floor debate on House Bill 294 (county option funding/ZAP tax) focused on reallocation of funds among tiers, capping tier‑1 organizations at 23, city-level opt-in in second-class counties, and the administrative fee (debated 2% vs 1.5%); multiple amendments were proposed and several floor amendments passed, with continuing votes recorded on substitute motions.
Lawmakers engaged in extended floor debate on House Bill 294 on Feb. 27, a bill that would change how county-option sales tax money (commonly called the ZAP tax) is allocated among botanical, cultural, recreational and zoological organizations.
Representative Cheryl Allen, sponsor, described the bill as an effort to create predictable, stable allocations for the organizations that depend on ZAP funding. “This is a very, popular and successful option for counties,” she said, explaining tiers and the need for predictable support to allow groups to plan annual budgets.
The bill contains several substantive changes: it moves Tracy Aviary into the zoological category in Salt Lake County; it adjusts allocation percentages (for example, raising the tier‑2 share from 5% to…
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