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Senate rejects amendment to raise aviation fuel tax to save Wendover airport
Summary
A proposed amendment to House Bill 101 that would have raised aviation fuel tax by 2¢ and dedicated about $2.2 million to Wendover Airport failed after a long floor debate over regional flight loss and local bailout concerns.
A bid to raise aviation fuel tax by 2¢ to bankroll repairs and preserve Wendover Airport failed on the Senate floor after a contested debate over whether the state should bail out the isolated community.
Sen. Mantis moved a second substitute to House Bill 101 that would have increased aviation fuel tax and dedicated roughly $2.2 million to Wendover Airport. Mantis described the change as “the last ditch effort” to save Wendover’s 10,000-foot runway, saying federal and state aviation officials wanted to keep the strip for military and commercial backup uses and arguing the community faced imminent bankruptcy without action.
Opponents warned of economic trade-offs. Sen. Maine said higher aviation fuel prices in Salt Lake City—already among the highest cited by airlines—could make marginal flights uneconomical and lead carriers to cancel about 16 flights serving the city. Sen. Bueller and others argued the statewide consequences could include lost flights and jobs and undermining the region’s hub connectivity.
Senators also raised procedural points and alternatives. Some urged separate appropriations or study by a task force already created to examine airport needs rather than embedding a funding increase in this bill. Supporters said Wendover’s circumstances were unique and pressed for prompt action.
The motion to substitute ultimately failed on the floor after voices and standing counts. The presiding officer ruled the substitute did not pass; the chamber then proceeded with the underlying bill, which was later amended and returned to the House as noted by the clerk.
The Senate record shows a close, polarized exchange over whether targeted state assistance for Wendover justified the cost to statewide aviation consumers. No permanent appropriation tied to the failed substitute was enacted in this session record; the underlying House Bill 101 (decals on fuel pumps to display tax breakdowns) remained before the Legislature for return to the House.
What’s next: Because the substitute failed, sponsors and supporters must pursue other channels—separate appropriations, a future targeted bill, or task-force recommendations—if they still seek funding for Wendover’s airport repairs.
