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Senate rejects $30 million highway matching proposal; SB 69 fails 7–18
Summary
Senators debated SB 69, a program proposing 50/50 local matches for safety projects tied to I‑15 construction and a suggested $30 million mitigation fund; concerns about prioritizing Salt Lake corridor vs. other deadly corridors led to a 7–18 floor vote failing to advance the bill.
Senator Howell presented Senate Bill 69, which would have created a matching fund for local safety projects associated with I‑15 reconstruction. Howell said several cities had requested matching assistance for traffic‑safety improvements and described the bill as a 50/50 match that would allow municipalities to ante up half the cost for mitigation projects such as signals and grade‑separation work.
During floor debate, several senators questioned geographic prioritization and equity. Senator Tanner sought clarification on how far from the I‑15 corridor qualifying highways would extend; Senator Dimitrich cited fatality statistics on Highway 6 and said he would not support SB 69 without clearer allocation for other dangerous corridors. Senator Muhlestein also opposed prioritizing the corridor to the disadvantage of other areas of the state.
On the roll call for advancing SB 69 to third reading, the Senate recorded 7 yeas and 18 nays with 5 absent; the motion failed. Senators opposing the bill cited both funding realism and concerns that the proposal would unduly favor areas adjacent to the I‑15 reconstruction at the expense of other hazardous routes.
