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Proposal to raise property‑tax vote threshold fails in Utah Senate
Summary
Second substitute Senate Bill 156, which would have required a 70% vote to raise property taxes for governing bodies with more than five members, failed on a roll-call in the Feb. 28 Senate session (12 aye, 17 nay).
Second substitute Senate Bill 156, debated on Feb. 28, 2000, would have raised the approval threshold required before certain governmental bodies could raise property taxes: a 70% vote for bodies with membership greater than five and a two‑thirds vote where membership is three. Proponents said the change better protects homeowners; opponents said it could grant a vocal minority disproportionate control and unduly constrain small local governments.
After extended floor debate and questions about the application to five-member bodies and counties, the Senate called the roll for final passage. The clerk reported the result: the bill received 12 aye votes and 17 nay votes, and failed. Senators who supported and opposed the bill explained their votes during the recorded roll-call.
The failure maintains the existing vote thresholds. The transcript records the outcome and members' explanations but no further amendment or reconsideration in the excerpt.
