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House narrowly approves Jordan River signage bill after debate on scope and cost
Summary
The House approved House Bill 278 (first substitute) 38-34 to require signs marking the Jordan River at specified state‑road intersections and include signage when bridges are replaced; sponsor said UDOT lacked an existing river‑posting policy and the measure is limited to a single location on state roads.
The Utah House on Feb. 25 approved House Bill 278, a measure requiring the posting of signs identifying the Jordan River at specified intersections on state roads and requiring signage consideration when bridges are replaced.
Representative Acton, the bill sponsor, said the bill is narrowly tailored: it applies to a single location and to state roads. "This bill is not a policy bill. It's strictly for these few intersections with state roads and the Jordan River," Acton said, arguing that better signage would increase public awareness and use of the Jordan River trail system.
Representative Owens asked whether the sponsor had attempted to work with signage authorities before seeking legislation, and raised concern that creating a new requirement for one location could set a statewide precedent and other areas might expect similar signage. Acton replied that Utah Department of Transportation (UDOT) officials told him UDOT did not have a policy of posting signs for rivers and lacked funding, so statutory authorization was necessary.
Opponents warned the measure could seed a costly statewide practice if adopted broadly. Sponsor Acton repeated that the bill applies only to a limited set of intersections on state roads and argued the fiscal impact would be minimal because the measure involves only signage.
After debate, the House voted 38 in favor and 34 opposed; substitute House Bill 278 passes and will be transmitted to the Senate.
