Senate amends tourism funding to shift $4 million toward Salt Palace expansion

Senators considered amendments and subsequent passage of tourism and convention-facility funding that would contribute to the Salt Palace expansion in Salt Lake City.

Senator Leonard Jenkins introduced an amendment to a substituted tourism bill that reduced an allocation from $18,000,000 to $14,000,000 and explained the $4,000,000 difference would be taken from the tourism account to help fund the Salt Palace project. “You’ll notice that on line number 22 the amount of the change from 18,000,000 to $14,000,000… This is where that $4,000,000 is coming to fund the Salt Palace,” Jenkins said.

Senators asked whether shifting tourism dollars to one project would open the door for other jurisdictions to seek similar exceptions. Senator Jason Thomas raised concerns that the change might treat one jurisdiction differently and encourage similar requests from other convention centers or counties.

Senator Wadhams, who presented House Bill 1011 (funding for convention facilities), described contingencies in the bill — including signed interlocal agreements and city/county contributions — and presented projected revenue gains for the Salt Palace expansion. He said the expanded facility was expected to increase annual sales-tax revenues from about $18.6 million to about $22.5 million, yielding roughly $2.2 million to the state share of sales tax annually.

After floor debate and consideration under suspension of the rules, the Senate passed the substituted tourism/convention-facility measure; the chamber recorded votes and referred the matter to the House for final action or signature where appropriate. Sponsors emphasized that disbursement of the $4 million would be contingent on required agreements and payments from local parties.

Next steps: the bill and amendment language will be transmitted to the House; the funding is contingent on the interlocal agreement and local contributions described in the bill text.