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House approves bill to create state Air Quality Policy Advisory Board
Summary
The Utah House voted unanimously to create an Air Quality Policy Advisory Board to give lawmakers expert guidance on air-pollution priorities and funding, with support from the Department of Environmental Quality, Breathe Utah and the Salt Lake Chamber. The bill passed 72–0.
The Utah House on March 1 approved House Bill 392 to create an Air Quality Policy Advisory Board that lawmakers would use to weigh air-quality proposals and appropriations.
“If you live anywhere along the Wasatch Front or in Cache Valley, air quality is a perennial issue,” Representative Hawkes said while presenting the bill, adding the board would connect “real experts in the field with policy makers.” The measure directs appointments by the governor, the Speaker of the House and the president of the Senate and includes balanced representation from multiple interests.
Supporters argued the board would give legislators a clearer way to compare costs and benefits across competing air-quality proposals. The Department of Environmental Quality, Breathe Utah and the Salt Lake Chamber of Commerce were listed as supporters on the floor.
After Representative Hawkes waived summation, the House opened and closed the roll-call vote. House Bill 392 passed the House by a margin of 72 yea and 0 nay and will be referred to the Senate for further consideration.
The bill’s passage puts an advisory mechanism in place this session; next steps include any Senate consideration and appointments to the board if both chambers ultimately approve the legislation.
