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Senate approves raising maximum per-ticket municipal license fee from $1 to $5 after debate
Summary
Senators debated Senate Bill 119, which would let municipalities levy up to $5 per ticket at public assembly facilities to help cover rising operating and safety costs; supporters said patrons—not taxpayers—should cover costs, while others warned of impacts on sporting events and private venues; the bill was ordered for third reading (20–6–3).
Senate Bill 119, sponsored by Sen. Goodfellow, would increase the statutory ceiling a municipality may impose per ticket at certain public assembly facilities from $1 to $5 to help cover operation, maintenance and public-safety costs.
Goodfellow told the chamber that costs for utilities, police and fire support and maintenance have risen and that the fee would allow municipalities to ‘‘cover more of the costs’’ without relying on general tax dollars. ‘‘So if, for an example, an Elton John concert where the tickets are a hundred and $50, they could charge up to $5,’’ he said, adding that the intent is for the patrons who benefit to pay rather than the general taxpayer.
Several senators pushed back on scope and impacts. Sen. Wadhams warned the fee applies to sporting events as well as concerts and worried that even a small surcharge could make some events economically unviable for certain promoters. Sen. Deenderhauser successfully moved to amend the bill by inserting the words ‘‘or other related’’ after ‘‘public assembly’’ in three locations to broaden the statute’s coverage.
Sen. Knudson and others questioned how often facilities are subsidized and whether promoters or ticket purchasers ultimately bear the charge; Goodfellow said specific arrangements vary by contract but that making the fee allowable improves municipalities’ negotiating positions and keeps costs more transparent to patrons.
After extended floor debate addressing examples such as the Golden Spike Event Center and a proposed soccer stadium, the Senate called the question. A roll call recorded 20 yes, 6 no and 3 absent; the bill was ordered for third reading.
