Get Full Government Meeting Transcripts, Videos, & Alerts Forever!
Get email alerts on the Transportation Environment topic
No spam. Unsubscribe anytime.
Senate advances state vehicle-efficiency standard, requires 50% of new passenger vehicles to meet efficiency criteria
Summary
Senate substituted and advanced SB 99 to require at least 50% of new or replacement state passenger vehicles meet specified cleaner-vehicle standards (including electric and hybrid). Sponsors said the change can be done within normal replacement cycles; final third-reading tally was 22 yeas, 2 nays, 5 absent.
The Utah Senate advanced a substitute version of Senate Bill 99 that directs state fleet managers to ensure half of new and replacement passenger vehicles meet specified efficiency and emissions standards, a change sponsors said could be achieved within normal replacement cycles.
Senator Jenkins, sponsor of the floor substitute, described the measure as a stewardship and air-quality initiative and said the vehicle standard “shall ensure that 50% or more of the new and or replacement vehicles owned by the state, are motor vehicles” meeting listed efficiency criteria, including electric and hybrid models. He told colleagues the motor pool cycles vehicles frequently (about every 5,000 miles under the state standard) and that conversions and technology are driving down conversion costs.
Supporters argued the requirement would reduce emissions and save fuel costs over time; skeptics warned about potential compliance risks if the state could not meet the 50% target. Senator Davis explained he supported the policy’s goals but voted no, saying market forces or alternative mechanisms might be preferable and that a strict statutory threshold could create compliance risk for agencies.
After floor debate on costs, fueling availability and air quality benefits, the Senate recorded a roll-call result of 22 yeas, 2 nays and 5 absent, and ordered the bill to be read for a third time.
If enacted, the measure would task the responsible division with fleet procurement practices to meet the standard and give agencies time and budget cycles to conform to the requirement.
