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Senate advances bill letting counties use tourism taxes for airport improvements; bars airport fund for Salt Lake light rail
Summary
Second substitute SB245, presented by Senator Bramble, would ban use of the airport fund for Salt Lake light rail, let counties use TRCC funds for airport improvements and permit a 0.1% sales-tax option for certain counties; the measure was placed for third reading amid debate about effects on Salt Lake City Airport.
Senator Bramble introduced second substitute Senate Bill 245, which combines three measures aimed at airport and transportation funding. The bill: (1) prohibits using the airport fund to build light rail at Salt Lake International Airport; (2) authorizes counties to use tourism, recreation, cultural and convention (TRCC) funds for airport improvements if the county commission chooses; and (3) allows counties of the second class the option to adopt a 0.1% sales tax increase for state highway improvements.
Senator Bramble said the Provo mayor and Utah County Commission requested the change to help fund local radar and airport improvements. He described the Provo radar project as requiring a local match alongside federal funds and estimated the overall project cost at roughly $4 million to $5 million, with local contributions in the low‑to‑mid six figures. "Number one, it prohibits using the airport fund to build light rail at the Salt Lake International Airport. Number two, it authorizes counties to use the tourism, recreation, cultural and convention (TRCC) funds for airport improvements should the county commission choose," Bramble said.
Senator Romero said he opposed the measure, arguing it "gives and it taketh away," contending the bill appeared to advantage Provo while limiting Salt Lake City's discretion to fund light-rail airport connections and could jeopardize federal funding. Senator Breville (floor commenter) responded that the representation that the bill blocks light rail is "simply not accurate," noting funds in the bill could address light-rail construction and that the airport fund historically targets terminals, runways and related airside infrastructure rather than transit.
Under suspension of rules, the Senate took action to move the bill for third reading; the clerk recorded 23 yeas, 5 nays and 1 absent on the motion to proceed. Senators asked staff to locate a fiscal note before final passage; sponsors said they would seek or supply the fiscal detail prior to third-reading action.
The measure remains on the calendar for third reading; sponsors and critics flagged federal match and equity concerns between Provo and Salt Lake City airport projects as open issues for further review.
