House approves broader fuel‑efficiency rules for state fleet, sets 50% target by 08/30/2018

The Utah House on Feb. 19 amended and passed first substitute Senate Bill 99 to require that at least 50% of new and replacement state‑owned vehicles meet alternative‑fuel or fuel‑efficiency criteria by Aug. 30, 2018.

Representative Frower, the floor sponsor, introduced Amendment 1 to add electrical onboard sources, compressed natural gas, liquid petroleum and hydrogen to the definition of eligible alternative fuels and to set the compliance date to 08/30/2018. "It adds additional language to the alternative fuel vehicles… and changes the date to 08/30/2018," the sponsor said on the floor.

Supporters argued the change balances environmental benefits, fiscal prudence and procurement turnover. "As many of us have heard, over 50% of our pollutants are coming from tailpipes," Representative Aaron said in floor debate, urging the House to lead by example. Representative Draxler described fuel‑cost savings from conversions to compressed natural gas in private fleets.

The House adopted the amendment and passed the bill on third reading; the final updated tally recorded 75 yes, 0 no. The bill will be returned to the Senate for further consideration.

Representative Frower said the 50% figure was negotiated with the Department of Administrative Services and the state Fleet Division as an achievable minimum, not a cap: "it is a minimum of 50% not a maximum," she said. The bill also requires departments to provide justification when agencies do not purchase alternative‑fuel vehicles.

The floor debate emphasized cleaner air, potential operational cost savings and the state's role as a major employer leading by example.