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House OKs energy‑policy amendment requiring economic review before climate rules
Summary
HB412 amends Utah's energy policy to require economic impact analysis and to promote alternative compliance methods before adopting climate‑change regulations; supporters called it prudent due diligence, opponents warned it could constrain future local or executive action.
The Utah House passed House Bill 412, an amendment to state energy policy that requires lawmakers and state actors to assess economic impacts before adopting climate‑change regulation and to seek fair, regional compliance approaches so Utah consumers are not disproportionately burdened.
Sponsor Representative Roger Barris said HB412 is intended as a “due diligence” measure. “What we will do is we're going to determine what the economic impacts of that particular decision on climate change regulation will have on the consumers of Utah,” he told the chamber. He added that the state should study and promote alternative compliance methods to avoid imposing unequal costs on Utah residents and businesses.
Members voiced differing views. Some delegates, including Representative Draxler, said the bill simply asks for analysis and was prudent; others worried that the bill as drafted could set a precedent of tying the legislature’s hands or imposing requirements on counties, cities or executives. Representative Powell asked whether the bill effectively prevents this body from passing future legislation without an analysis; Barris said the intent was to ensure economic impacts are understood and that no constitutional or fiscal note would be required under current drafting.
The House approved HB412 on final passage, recorded at 55 yes and 16 no. The bill will be transmitted to the Senate for consideration.
