Senate advances bill to allow certified mechanics to install natural gas vehicle kits

Senators placed the second substitute of House Bill 70 on the third-reading calendar after an extended floor presentation by Senator Madsen outlining the policy rationale and technical details.

Madsen told colleagues that federal Environmental Protection Agency certification for conversion kits imposes costly, model-by-model testing and fees, limiting conversions. "HB70 gives Utah the ability to allow trained certified mechanics to install and inspect natural gas conversion kits on nearly any automobile or light truck," he said, adding that conversion consumers could save about $8,000 per vehicle compared with full EPA approval procedures. He framed the measure as a way to reduce vehicle emissions and improve air quality along the Wasatch Front.

Floor senators acknowledged federal regulatory complexity and endorsed a states-rights approach to ease local conversions. After brief discussion the Senate recorded the roll-call and placed HB70 on the third-reading calendar.

The bill’s text authorizes state-certified mechanics to install and inspect conversion kits and relies on standards and training to ensure safety and limit leakage, according to the floor sponsor. The Senate did not adopt any floor amendments during this consideration.