Senate advances bill to create Wasatch Front school-transportation task force after debate over cost and scope

Senate Bill 50, which would create an interim task force to study school transportation on the Wasatch Front and invite the Utah Transit Authority to participate, moved forward in the Utah Senate Jan. 23 and was placed on the third-reading calendar.

Sponsor Senator Baird urged colleagues to support the task force to ‘‘look at what really is happening with school transportation in this Wasatch Front area’’ and said a full interim would be needed to examine the many issues involved. Baird argued that formal status and modest funding would secure participation by agencies that otherwise might not send their top staff.

Opponents warned about the number and cost of task forces already operating. One senator questioned whether the Legislature was ‘‘rapidly becoming a full-time legislature’’ because of the number of task forces and emphasized the need to prioritize ongoing interim work rather than continually creating new panels. Senator Beatty noted the bill carries a fiscal note under $20,000 but explained that, under agreed rules, task forces would be considered alongside other task forces so no single panel is elevated above others.

Senator Hahn, while supporting the concept of coordinating stakeholders, said she did not favor creating an official, funded task force and suggested using influence to convene participants without the extra expense: "We don't need to be paid for everything and put out money." Senator Baird said the oversight and backing of the Legislature would help secure attendance by busy agency leaders.

After debate, questions were called and the roll call showed the bill recorded as passing to the third reading with 24 ayes, no nays and five absent. The Senate did not take final passage; the measure was set for third reading consideration.