Get Full Government Meeting Transcripts, Videos, & Alerts Forever!
Get email alerts on the Volkswagen Settlement topic
No spam. Unsubscribe anytime.
House oks measures to accept Volkswagen settlement funds for air-quality projects
Summary
Lawmakers passed HB183 to allow Utah to accept an estimated $32–$35 million from the Volkswagen emissions settlement and HCR8 expressing the state’s intent to participate; lawmakers emphasized narrow, court‑approved uses and urged DEQ to craft a cost‑effective plan.
The Utah House voted on Feb. 17, 2017 to authorize state participation in the Volkswagen emissions settlement and to express the legislature’s intent to accept and manage settlement funds. Representative Hawkes, the primary floor sponsor, told members HB183 authorizes the Department of Environmental Quality to receive settlement funds, creates a fund for management, and ensures eligible vehicles would not be denied registration under the settlement terms.
Sponsor summary and constraints: Representative Hawkes described three principal features: authorization for DEQ to receive settlement funds; a prohibition on denying registration to qualifying vehicles; and creation of a state-managed fund for those dollars. He estimated the state could qualify for roughly $32 million to $35 million over time under the settlement. Hawkes explained the settlement’s permitted uses are narrow and that DEQ would develop an implementation plan from a "Chinese menu" of allowable mitigation projects.
Concerns and explanations: Representative Arendt and others cautioned the body that allowable uses are limited and subject to court approval. Representative Christiansen urged careful stewardship, invoking past settlements (he cited a tobacco settlement) where funds were not always steered to intended purposes and asked that the Legislature ensure the money is used for air-quality objectives.
Outcome: After floor debate and a brief amendment process, HB183 received final passage in the House (recorded as 70 yes, 0 no) and was sent to the Senate. Representative Hawkes also sponsored House Concurrent Resolution 8 to record the Legislature’s intent to participate and to provide context for the bill; HCR8 passed the House 66-0 and will be transmitted to the Senate.
Quotes: "If you think we should get the $32,000,000 then vote yes," Hawkes told colleagues; Representative Christiansen urged vigilance: "I just think this time... we actually steer them towards their intended air quality objectives." Representative Arendt noted the "very, very narrow range of uses" under the settlement and that court approval is necessary for specific projects.
Next steps: With House passage, DEQ is expected to develop a program plan consistent with the settlement terms; the bills were transmitted to the Senate for further consideration.
