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House amends and approves higher ticket-fee option for some public assembly events
Summary
Members approved an amendment and passage of Senate Bill 119 to allow municipalities (in some cases) to charge higher fees on tickets for certain public assembly events — up to $5 — intended to help venues cover security and staffing costs; the bill passed after a friendly amendment clarifying jurisdictional ownership.
The House approved Senate Bill 119, which authorizes municipalities to charge or increase a municipal license fee or tax on public assembly facility tickets in certain circumstances. Sponsor Representative Bigelow said the change allows venues with expensive events and higher security needs to charge up to $5 per ticket to help keep facilities financially solvent without relying on general tax dollars.
Representative Fisher supported the bill, telling members that "rowdy" or larger events often require additional security staff and higher operating costs the fee would help cover. Representative D offered a friendly amendment (Amendment Number 4) clarifying that a political-subdivision-owned event center located within another political subdivision’s boundaries could be covered by the bill; the House adopted the friendly amendment and later called the previous question to end debate.
Representative Bigelow noted the bill could affect multiple venues across the state, including Lindquist Field, the E Center, Sevier Valley Center and the Dixie Center, and said the measure is intended to help facilities avoid charging general taxpayers for event-specific costs.
The House passed the bill as amended by recorded vote, 59 yes and 13 no, and referred it to the Senate for further consideration.
