Utah House approves $19.7 million for Weber County veterans nursing home (HB129)

The Utah House on the fourth day of the 2008 session approved House Bill 129, a $19.7 million state appropriation to construct a veterans nursing home in Weber County.

Sponsor Representative D described the bill as bipartisan and noted that Utah currently has only one veterans nursing home in Salt Lake City with about 100 people waiting. "It appropriates $19,700,000 for the construction of a veterans nursing home in Weber County," the sponsor said on the floor, urging members to support the measure.

Representatives from both parties gave personal remarks supporting the bill, citing veterans' needs, local veterans advocates' work and the project's long development history. Several speakers recounted family service or local veterans’ organizing that motivated their support. Committee and floor supporters said the governor and budget office (DFCM) participated in updating the project's estimate.

Representative Fluor asked whether the $19.7 million estimate was sufficient; the sponsor replied that DFCM updated the estimate for the governor's request and affirmed it as the working estimate. Representative Hollaway asked whether the state appropriation would reduce federal participation; the sponsor said it would not change Utah's standing on the federal list and that federal reimbursement (roughly 65% when Utah reaches the top) is expected in about four to five years, though waiting could raise costs because of inflation.

The House voted on the bill and it passed with 74 yes, 0 no and 1 absent. The bill will be forwarded to the Senate for further consideration.