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Senate advances ski-industry tax-incentive bill amid tourism and competitiveness arguments
Summary
Senate Bill 114, proposing a tax incentive tied to lift-ticket collections to support ski-resort capital improvements, was introduced and placed on the third-reading calendar. Sponsors argued the change would help Utah compete with Colorado and spur tourism investment; the committee report was adopted and the bill advanced.
Senate Bill 114, a proposal to permit ski resorts to reinvest certain lift-ticket collections into capital improvements as an incentive, was presented and advanced to third reading on Feb. 15. Sponsor Senator Howell characterized the ski industry as a major state economic driver and said the measure would allow resorts to fund snowmaking and lift improvements that increase skier days and statewide tourism revenue.
Howell and supporters cited tourism statistics (1991: roughly 14 million visitors and about $2.9 billion in spending) and argued that Utah competes nationally and internationally and lags in some facilities compared with Colorado. The bill would allow lift-ticket collections to be exempted in part so resorts could reinvest those sums into permitted capital expenses; proponents said the measure is narrowly targeted and subject to enumerated allowable investments.
Opponents and questioners raised the bill's fiscal-note implications and asked whether the incentive disproportionately benefits larger resort owners. Sponsors responded that the law limits eligible uses and noted broad economic spillovers (lodging, food, transportation). The Senate recorded a count of 26 ayes, 0 nays, and 3 absent and placed SB114 on the third-reading calendar.
