Utah House lifts table on Airport‑to‑University light‑rail bill, sets time‑certain after negotiators announce progress

The Utah House voted to lift House Bill 271 from the Rules Committee, untable the measure and place it on the third‑reading calendar with a time certain of 11:45 a.m., Majority business leaders announced on the floor.

Representative Marta Dilley moved the procedural steps that will allow HB271 — described on the floor as changes to the Airport‑to‑University light‑rail restricted account — to return to the calendar for final action after a press conference scheduled for 11:30 a.m. Representative Stuart Adams, who spoke in favor of the motion, said there had been “very significant and meaningful discussions” and that changes to the bill would be announced at the press conference.

Clerks and floor staff explained this requires a two‑step process because the bill was previously tabled: it must first be placed on the third‑reading calendar, then a two‑thirds vote is needed to lift it from the table. Members from both Salt Lake City and northern jurisdictions spoke in favor of returning the bill for consideration, describing negotiations as yielding a “win‑win” resolution and the potential to avoid further costly litigation or delays.

The House passed the motions to move HB271 and to lift it from the table; members set the time certain so the bill can be considered immediately after the scheduled announcements.

The action is procedural and does not itself change bill text; if any amendments or further debate occur after the press conference, they will be recorded when the chamber reconvenes on HB271.