Senate Approves First Substitute to SB 3006 Creating $80 Million in Federal Relief Grants for Agriculture, Housing and Rent Assistance

The Utah Senate on Friday approved a first substitute to Senate Bill 3006 that channels about $80 million in federal CARES Act funds into three targeted grant programs to address economic harm from COVID‑19.

Senator Gilmore, who brought the bill back from the circled calendar, described the first substitute as creating: $20 million for the conservation commission to provide grants to affected farms, ranches and animal‑feed operations; $20 million to the Division of Housing and Community Development to help residents retain or obtain housing; and $40 million to the Governor’s Office of Economic Development to fund a commercial rental assistance program for qualifying small businesses. The sponsor said the draft converted proposed loans into grants and reduced individual caps to conform with CARES Act guidance.

Senator Espinillo asked whether the agricultural and rental assistance would be repayable; the sponsor confirmed they are grants and not loans. Senators from multiple districts thanked the sponsor and the Department of Agriculture for targeting agriculture, noting some producers (including wool and lamb markets) had lost key buyers and in some cases were ineligible for SBA PPP classification. The sponsor said the program is intended as a supplemental source for businesses that have exhausted other options.

After brief discussion and a roll call, the Senate announced the first substitute to SB 3006 passed 29–0 and will be sent to the House for further consideration.