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House advances HB 15 to speed clean-fuel rebates and add farm equipment
Summary
The Utah House passed a first substitute of HB 15 on Feb. 13, 2015, converting an existing tax-credit incentive into an up-front grant/rebate for vehicle conversions and purchases (including farm equipment); the bill passed 55–17 and moves to the Senate.
The Utah House approved the first substitute of HB 15 on Feb. 13, 2015, a bill to accelerate clean-fuel incentives by converting certain tax credits into up-front grants or rebates administered through the Division of Air Quality. The bill also expanded eligibility to include farm equipment and folded in an electric-vehicle tax credit component.
Sponsor Representative Handy told the House the change would remove the administrative delay of a tax-credit process and make incentives available at the point of purchase or conversion. ‘‘You go to your provider... the provider would apply for a grant to the state of Utah, administered through the division of air quality,’’ Handy said, describing the program as an acceleration of an existing tax-credit policy. He also noted that the bill incorporated a previous electric-vehicle credit of up to $1,500 and added farm equipment eligibility.
Supporters (including Representatives Draxler and Snow) framed the bill as an air-quality measure and a way to use homegrown fuel sources and reduce household energy costs. Representative Draxler called the rebate a ‘‘front-end’’ grant that will make conversions more affordable and help state air quality; Representative Snow urged colleagues to support the bill as a technology-based approach to cleaner air.
The House voted to pass the first substitute HB 15 by 55 yes to 17 no; the bill was transmitted to the Senate for further consideration.
