House approves bill letting UDOT use corridor fund for staff and extends planning horizon to 40 years

Representative Kristofferson introduced House Bill 44 to let the Utah Department of Transportation use the corridor preservation fund to pay employees and to expand the look-ahead window for corridor preservation from 30 to 40 years.

"And then it also expands the amount of time that they can look ahead from 30 years to 40 years," Representative Kristofferson said, describing the change as a tool to acquire right-of-way earlier and save money over time.

Representative Mike Peterson said he was concerned about the bill’s effect on property rights. "It does concern me a bit that it's sort of an expansion of government and... eminent domain become more prevalent within our state," he said, asking whether the measure would make use of eminent domain more common.

Kristofferson responded that the bill would not change eminent domain law and, in his view, should reduce its use by allowing the state to acquire land before development occurs. "It does not do anything to change eminent domain. In fact I think it will reduce the need for that because we can get ahead of the purchases on this property before houses are built," he said.

Other members urged support on fiscal and planning grounds. Representative Ward said the change "doesn't increase our costs" and allows the state to better anticipate and acquire needed parcels. Representative Schultz described the proposal as a generational investment to preserve corridors and avoid higher long-term costs.

The House opened and closed voting on HB 44 the same day; the bill passed the House with 70 yes votes and 1 no vote and will be transmitted to the Senate for further consideration.

Next step: HB 44 will be transmitted to the Utah Senate for consideration; no Senate action was recorded in this transcript.