Senate passes resolution urging Congress to weigh economic impacts in Endangered Species Act debate amid robust floor exchange

Salt Lake City — The Utah Senate on Feb. 24, 1992, passed House Concurrent Resolution 8, which urges Congress to consider economic impacts to people when amending the Endangered Species Act. The measure drew extended floor debate and sharply divided views among senators.

Senator Marine introduced the resolution saying it would encourage Congress to "consider human beings in the Endangered Species Act and the economic impact of that act" and that amending federal law to allow economic impacts to be considered could help rural Utah communities. "What's wrong with asking Congress to consider those economic impacts?" he asked during floor remarks.

Opponents, including Senator Hough and Senator Shepherd, cautioned that the resolution could send the wrong signal to Congress and undermine species protections. Senator Hough urged colleagues to vote no, saying the resolution "sends the wrong message to Congress" and warning of long-term environmental costs.

Supporters argued for balancing economic and environmental interests, with several senators noting specific local impacts in Southern Utah and St. George. After debate and a suspension-of-the-rules vote to take the resolution up for final passage, the Senate recorded the passage and ordered it returned to the House.

Next steps: The resolution was passed by the Senate and will be transmitted back to the House. As a resolution urging federal action, it expresses legislative intent by the Utah Legislature; it does not itself change state law.