House approves changes to scenic-byway designations, adds legislative review for federal designations

Salt Lake City — The Utah House passed a measure Tuesday that changes how scenic byways are designated and gives more local control over segmentation and federal designations.

Representative Harrod, sponsor of the second substitute to House Bill 272, said the revised bill creates a process that lets local jurisdictions opt to segment out industrial or commercial sections of a byway and reconstitutes the State Scenic Byway Committee with nominations from the governor and three local representatives. "What it does require is that before there's any more scenic byways or federal scenic byways that it comes to this body for approval," Harrod said; he later clarified federal National Scenic Byway or All-American Road designations would require legislative action, not routine state scenic-byway approvals.

Supporters told the House the bill balances property rights and scenic protection, adds checks and balances to a patchwork process and protects local input on segmented byways. Representative Agard praised the compromise as organizing a "hodgepodge" process; Representative Powell also urged support, saying the negotiation produced workable language.

The second substitute passed the House 53–19 and will be transmitted to the Senate.

Next steps: Second Substitute HB 272 referred to the Senate for further consideration.