Senate approves $ COVID-19 economic recovery program aimed at businesses, arts and displaced workers

The Utah Senate on a suspension vote approved House Bill 5010, a COVID‑19 economic recovery program that uses federal relief funds to support businesses, cultural organizations, personal protection and workplace compliance, displaced worker retraining and a public education campaign.

Sponsor Senator Hemmert said the bill creates five grant programs and emphasizes accountability and auditability for awardees. "The goals of these programs are twofold: 1 is to assist the workers who've been displaced ... The second is to, encourage consumer confidence," he said, describing application requirements, penalties for misuse and audit provisions for recipients.

Under the business grant program, applicants must demonstrate a year‑over‑year revenue decline to qualify, submit a consumption‑stimulus plan that commits at least half of the grant to activities intended to bring customers back, and attest to the information under penalty of perjury. Cultural organizations larger than those already served by the Department of Heritage and Arts may apply to a separate fund requiring plans to stimulate attendance and tourism. A PPE and compliance grant calculates awards as the greater of $100 per full‑time equivalent employee or actual documented expense; funds misused must be returned and are subject to a penalty deposited to the education fund.

The bill also boosts funds for proven worker‑retraining programs referenced by the sponsor (including Utah Works and Custom Fit) and directs the Department of Workforce Services to improve reporting on job losses and reemployment. The package includes public information and outreach aimed at high‑risk populations to maintain necessary non‑COVID health care access.

Senators adopted additional intent language recorded in the Senate journal to underscore that economically disadvantaged, minority‑owned and women‑owned entities should assess eligibility and apply for the grants.

Senators debated the measure briefly and discussed implementation questions, including equitable outreach and reporting for minority‑owned businesses. The Senate recorded the bill as passing under suspension (transcript: recorded as 28 yeas, 1 nay). The bill will be returned to the House for final processing per legislative procedure.

The sponsor characterized the program as federal‑funds only and audit‑focused. Implementation details, including exact grant formulas, administrative responsibilities and reporting timelines, will be developed by the executive branch and administering agencies if the House concurs.