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Senate approves redirecting 15% of Salt Lake County transient-room tax for stadium land and parking; extends collection period
Summary
The Senate amended and passed first substitute House Bill 38 to allocate 15% of Salt Lake County's transient-room tax to a Transient Room Tax Fund for land and parking related to a proposed stadium and extended the funding authority to 2027. Supporters cited tourism dollars and county support; opponents warned of diversion from other tourism promotion.
SALT LAKE CITY — The Utah Senate amended and passed first substitute House Bill 38, redirecting 15% of Salt Lake County’s transient-room tax (TRT) into a Transient Room Tax Fund to help acquire land and parking for a proposed stadium and associated facilities.
Senator Kilpack, the bill sponsor on the floor, described the fund as a tourism-generated revenue stream paid largely by out-of-state visitors and said the money would be used to purchase land and finish parking infrastructure; he moved to extend the program’s sunset date from 2017 to 2027 and to allow the overseeing director to "expend or pledge" monies from the fund.
The Senate debated the proposal at length. Supporters — including senators who said the county council and Salt Lake City’s mayor backed the plan — argued the measure would leverage tourism dollars to bring economic development and broader exposure to the state. Senator Waddups and others said the stadium would create spin-off businesses and recreational opportunities.
Opponents cautioned against diverting TRT funds from other tourism promotion and conventions. Senator Romero, who spoke in opposition, said the additional 10-year extension and allocation "is not the right way to do that" and suggested alternate sites such as the fairgrounds might be less costly. Senator Goodfellow asked whether the county’s Convention and Visitors Bureau would lose funding; the sponsor said county officials signaled they were "comfortable with this 15%." Senator Kilpack also noted prior commitments for parking and an existing $20 million pledge referenced by the governor’s announcement.
After debate the Senate amended the bill and approved it on third reading by a 20–8 vote with one senator absent. The bill, as amended, will be transmitted to the House for further action.
What it does: The amendment directs 15% of Salt Lake County TRT into a state-managed Transient Room Tax Fund to be used for acquiring land and parking for the stadium project, allows pledge or expenditure language for the fund and extends the fund window by 10 years (to 2027). Sponsor statements said the state would retain ownership of purchased land and the Division of Economic Development would oversee expenditures.
Next steps: The Senate-amended bill will be returned to the House; sponsors said they expect continued negotiations with county and city leaders over implementation details.
