Utah House OKs Measure Letting Local Boards Reduce Assessments for Businesses Hurt by Major Construction

Representative Hughes secured House approval for the second substitute of House Bill 45, a measure that allows property owners whose income was interrupted by reconstruction or similar access interruptions to seek relief from county boards of equalization. Hughes said the change was prompted by constituent cases — businesses that ceased operating during long corridor reconstructions — and argued the bill codifies an existing remedy and provides a statutory reference for impacted owners.

Under the bill, an affected property owner could show a decrease in property value or interrupted income and petition the county board of equalization for relief; the sponsor said county assessors told drafters they lacked the ability to proactively appraise properties along construction corridors and preferred the board‑review process. Members asked about the board’s protest period and whether relief would be available outside the typical annual protest window; Hughes said the bill permits boards of equalization to consider impacts occurring after January 1 and therefore closes a gap for losses that arise between annual assessments.

Supporters described the bill as a locally administered remedy that empowers counties to weigh individual claims. After floor debate and procedural steps to consider the short‑title change under suspension of the rules, the House passed the measure by voice and recorded votes; the final tally was 74–0. The bill will be transmitted to the Senate for further consideration.

Next steps for HB 45 include Senate committee referral and any additional amendments at that stage.